Thanks mate, all the best to you too
Day 6:
another day without a gamble.
Thoughts only came to my head when thinking about the forum and when I overheard an advert.
Needed to buy something today, and for the first time I can remember in a while, I was able to just walk in and buy it without thinking about lowering my gambling funds, or not be able to buy it at all because I had already lost all of my money. Was a nice feeling.
Hi hope... sorry I'm late to reply. Started the journey in Jan 15 and now I'm on a run of about 125 days. Temptation presents itself on any and all sporting events. I avoid sports pages, sports radio and sports tv. I didn't watch djoko v Murray at Roland Garros as its too much for me. I didn't watch the England friendliest. I sit and watch you tube videos waiting to feed my son each night. It's not easy.
Hi New Hope, welcome to recovery & well done on your 1st 6 days 🙂 Isn't it just lovely to be able to pay for stuff without worrying how to 'make up the money' 🙂
The way to stop the urges eating you up is to figure your triggers! Abstaining for 4 months was awesome but the crash is always around the corner because we are addicts. Time heals our gambling wounds & we forget the pain, think we are cured, know we can control it (this time) but we can't! We cannot win because we cannot stop so this time, why not try something different? Have you considered counselling? Or GA? Worrying now about the bored or stressed days is good in a way (you know these are your triggers) just don't rely on hope to get you through, make plans, know what you will do to ride out the urges & keep fighting - ODAAT
Day 7:
Well that's a week without gambling under my belt.
Can't say I've missed it to be honest.
its been something I'm conscious of, but I've not had any urges that I've had to fight. Certainly no rushes to the head where I think must gamble immediately.
Bank balance is in the black, I'm not even in my overdraft which I've been living off for as far as I can remember!!
My next target is to get to month end - which is pay day. If I can get to payday without having borrowed money or used overdraft my bank balance will be pretty healthy. Hoping that seeing my bank balance that day will be a better buzz than any 'win'
Hi Odaat - thanks for the support and advice. I agree that I need a plan in place should an overwhelming urge come to the surface.
I've wrote myself a note in my phone, which is a list of reasons I don't want to gamble anymore, what effect it can have and then a list of things I like doing so that I can do something on that list to take my mind off having a gamble. Anything from reading, go on the computer, to washing/hoovering the car!!
Excellent work pal a week with no bet if a long time for a CG, im nearing the end of my 5th day and feel great, listening to talk sport now and they keep mentioning the brazil game and it doesnt bother me in the slightest at the min where a normal day id have a couple of ton on the game and i would focus all my engery and time on it.
The roullette machines are not there for the punters pal, my mate works in a bookies and she said last week the shop where she worked made 12k profit and thats just one shop alone, the bookies make more of them than any sport event or horse, what does that tell you? I actually drove past a bookies today and laughed to myself thinking about the thread on here about not making them money, it felt good.
As for your spare time, get yourself a firestick and watch some films, docs or tv series, some brilliant ones out there and it'll take you're mind away from the urge and boredom.
Good luck mate and well done.
Day 8:
Another gamble free day. Didn't really cross my mind.
Watched a box set of comedy show, time flew by, enjoyed myself without having to go through a traumatic gambling session!!
Bring on tomorrow.
Day 9:
Got through most of the day easily, but thought crossed my mind on the way home. Shrugged it off, but would rather it didn't cross my mind.
It wasn't particularly bad, felt more like a habit. Really hope the longer I'm GF the less it comes to mind.
Day 10 tomorrow, double figures 🙂
Day 10:
First post didn't post!!!! Can't remember what I wrote!!!
Basically - gamble free, had a weird moment when the Mrs went shopping and I had an hour to wait until she went round Tesco!! Sat in the car and watched a DVD of a stand up comedian I like, time flew! Next thing I know her and the bairn were back at the car and I hadn't even had a tab (I do t smoke in the car obviously!)
Out with the lads now - felt good to support England instead of hoping for a first scorer or correct score!
Next
All the lads have been to the ship to buy cans/beer, a few have both get scratch cards (the bingo ones) - they keep telling everyone which numbers they need to win £20k... Wish they'd shut up!!
Got through the scratch card scenario - one of them one won something, I tried not to care, or get involved. I was happy my mate was happy, but i'd rather not have heard it at all!!
Day 11 and 12:
Two more days gamble free.
Been nursing a hangover from hell so nothing to report, spent last two days in bed
Well done A_new_hope excellent worl.
On my 12th day myself and still not had a bet, would love to have had a flutter on the euro's but have resisted tempation as i know if i got involved it would take up my time and emotions so just watched the games as a fan.
Cheers Mick - hope you're doing well mate!!
Day 13:
Another day gamble free, no urges today. Just wanted to get home shattered from work.
14 days tomorrow, little bit of a mile stone. Next target is 28 days
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
