My Diary on the even of my first GA meetin

Ok so 6 days free of having a bet and tonight I go to my first GA meeting. I have already driven past the place to make sure I know exactly where i am going. Feel nervous, apprehensive but positive about what I am doing.

Sparky

Fella don't be nervous of the Ga room, it is a place filled with like minded folk who share a common goal.

Ga and this forum have for me been my salvation, they both have shown me that there is a life outside the one of gambling.

Well done for taking the steps to change your life, it takes huge courage and strength to face up to were the compulsion to gamble takes us.

My rock bottom came on the 23/01/2012 and since that day my life has changed dramatically.

I share my journey and my diary with my wife, my soulmate who I thought would walk away at the time, but she stood by and is a way recovering too.

I use GA like a dose of medicine, two hours a week and you get a dose of something money cant buy.

Through this you will become a winner.

Be proud and most of all be kind to yourself.

Again welcome.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Hey thanks so much for that Duncs. My wife and also my soulmate is sticking by me. When I broke down on Friday and told her everything I thought I would lose everything but she is working with me and together (all of us) we WILL beat this. Always thought i was a strong character that would never get "suckered" in but guess we all think that. Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on tomorrow. Marc

Ok so last night went to my first GA meeting. Was nervous and apprehensive but walked into the community centre and asked if i was in the right place. I was made to feel at ease very quickly. It helped as there were also 2 more new people there. I was surprised at how relaxed and easy it was to talk and listen to what other people had gone through and were going through. I left the meeting feeling very positive about my future, our future, and look forward to next week. Now not had a bet for 6 days

So very pleased that it went well for you Sparkysss.

It means a great deal to be understood, and relate to others and what they are going through. I put it off for a very, very long time and i've always felt that I could've stopped sooner if I had made the decision to attend.

It was also very positive to see that this affliction effects everyone of any class or backgroud - to see and interract with them is very reassuring and it makes it good to feel that you are not alone.

Well done again my friend and brilliantly well done on your six days.

JamesP

Thanks for those very kind and considered words James - they are very much appreciated. You are exactly right in what you say. In our meeting there was only 8 people but all were from completely different backgrounds so it was clear to see that this problem is not selective. It was very very humbling to hear from other people with the same issues. My name is Marc, im a compulsive gambler and my last bet was Friday 12th July - one week ago - get in!!!!

Mark.

Fella i am glad your meeting proved a good help.

A fella in my room often says that the two hours a week we give to GA a small amount of time compared to what we wasted gambling is a more than worthy investment.

His words so true.

Keep making the right choice. There is no greater feeling than walking back into the room next week to declare your gamble free.

Enjoy it and be kind to yourself.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks for that Dunc - and those words are oh so true. My wife asked me if people "keep going" and I said that a lot of people I have heard from on here use it as medicine so well worth while. In an odd way im looking forward to walking back into that room again tomorrow night. Feel more positive now about everything than i have done in so so long. Got to be be a good thing.

Keep it going. Stay committed and never forgot why your doing this. Just keep ya head down and plough on through. You can do this mate. And don't be gone long need to get your check-in in. Keep on the right path mate its the only way for us.

Well i havent posted for a week so thought i would just check in. All still going very well - havent had a bet since Friday 12th July and to be honest im amazed at how much free time i have to do more positive things. Home life is a lot better now everything out in the open and my wife and I are closer than ever. In the words of Tony the Tiger - i feel greeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaat

Hi Sparkyss

Just wanted to poke my nose into your diary and wish you continued success. I have not been to a GA meeting for about 3 months but wish I would make the effort as, like this place, it is a shared and mutually beneficial experience. All the best

Ken

Thanks for that Ken - ah thats interesting - can i ask why you stopped going?? My wife asked me if people go "for ever" and the people in my group seem to

Sparky

fella glad to see you remain gamble free my friend.

Regards Ga

I believe if you give it 90 days then you will see the difference it makes to your life, then after that the two hours a week you give to recovery is for me a great insurence policy. like a dose of medicine every week and after a time you give back to the room what you took out.

Someone said to me early on in recovery how many hours a week did gambling consume??

Many more than the two I gift back.

Kepp making the right choice

You take out of recovery what you put in.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Dunc - man you are a wise wise man with wise wise words. We had a new chap in our group and i welcomed him as being relatively new myself so already feel like im "giving something back". I heard more about the 90 days programme and know i will get there. Feel very positive and hope will be able to help others both on here and in the room. Thanks again Dunc your words mean a lot to me