My Recovery Diary (last bet 22/04/06 )

good session in the chat room tonight, it has really helped me concentrate my mind on why i am giving up gambling.

sometimes , as i get further into a "normal" way of live i start to miss the excitement that gambling used to bring me. I need to remind myself every now and again of the damage I was doing to myself and others around me.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hi jim,

Just wanna thankyou for the support and keep up the good work mate...

All the best

Lisa xx

P.S I know what you mean about the damage..Take care

Hi Jim, I for one will always try to keep the thought of what gambling has done to me at the front of my mind. I know only too well what complacency can do.

Keep up the good work,

Skippy

Hi Jim.

Thanks for replying.

I bet you thought, "what the hell am i going to post after that"

I thought the same mate after reading what i wrote. I wouldnt have wanted to write the wrong thing in case i went and topped myself!!!

Thanks for posting though mate, its the thought that counts and I know you have helped me alot in the past few weeks and will continue to help others.

Many thanks mate and enjoy your week!

Magic

Gull you're the most clear thinking guy in the forum and your posts give us all food for thought and remind us that we have to stay on our toes and nip complacency in the b**t.

Thanks for all your replys.

I have never known support like this, even during the three years i stopped gambling.

It is still a struggle but with everyones help I am sure that my progress will continue.

I hope that my posts, both on here and other peoples diaries can help others out there. If it does then that in itself helps me even further as I can feel that I am putting something back and becomeing a worthwhile member of society for once in my life.

I have spent about 25 years of my life gambling, it was a huge part of me, and boy was i selfish and dishonest for most of it. At my lowest points I thought that I was no good to anyone, but i have discovered that that wasnt the real me. The real me loves my family, the real me can spare time for others, the real me was inside of me all the time, it was just buried deep and supressed by this gambling addiction that I have.

I think I will always be a gambling addict, I just need to control it and keep IT buried.

All of you on here are helping me to do that and I feel stronger everyday and for that I thank you all.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hi Jim,

Its so inspiring to hear someone be so honest with themselves. I too am afraid I will always be addicted to gambling and will just have to watch myself. I've spent most of my gambling life hating myself, but that did not stop me from gambling.

I have been reading your diary all along, but have to admit, that I was afraid to post to someone who has slipped. Not that I'm afraid of you, I'm terrified of me. I'm so scared of going back. I do like me better, its only been a month, but I like me better.

You have been such help to others on this site and I know its greatly appreciated.

Thanks for being who you are.

STod

Hi Jim

I had a conversation with the missus the other day about "the real me".

The real me is considerate and caring and all the thinks that I was NOT when I was gambling.

I know exactly where you are coming from with that.

People who have not gone through this just do not understand what it is like to be living a lie and living with inner turmaoil every day!

Thanks for sharing, OH and by the way, I like your football pic but just one thing... couldnt you have picked a decent football club!

Magic

Hi Jim

Just thought of one of my silly acronyms for you

GULL--Going Upwards Lying Less

Inspirational diary mate.

Fully agree with you that we will always be compulsive gamblers its all about keeping it buried.

Good luck to you

Stumper

Jim

Very honest and very perceptive last post - the real you is the one that comes across in these posts. A thoughtful, caring, compassionate man who loves his family. Who else would devote the time on here that you have to help others? Gambling changes us all - and unfortunately not for the better. If we're not being snappy and insulting, we're blaming others or cheating, thieving and lying.

Jim you've left that behind - you're heading for 5 months. You really are a shining light. Keep shining Jim - you've got quite a few of us following now and we need that light to show us the way!!

GULL - Getting U Less Lost

All the best

Hatch

Thanks guys

just a quick post before i go to work this morning to say all is well and another day further away from that last bet i had in april.

Jim (last bet 22/04/060

Hi Jim, well done mate. You are an example to us all, although I do have to agree with Magic; cr** football team.

Skippy

Jim

You go from strength to strength - have a good week-end mate.

All the best

Hatch

PS in 2 weeks time (5 months!!!)

Hi all

had a tooth pulled at the dentist today, so feeling a bit sore, but still not gambling so i dont really mind the aching jaw.

spent a while reading and posting on other peoples diaries this evening. This site is really becoming a great community of like minded people with one common goal..to give up gambling.

together we can all do it. we can repair our lives and the damage we have done, we can make ammends to our loved ones, we can become better people who dont run to the bookies or the arcades, etc at the first sign of trouble. we can face our problems head on and deal with them as responsable people do.

thank you all for helping me overcome my gambling addiction.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Oh...and come on Torquay United!!!..lol

Hi Jim

Hows your jaw mate. Bet this weekend has been bitter-sweet for you.

Pain -tooth puled out

Delight - Torquay get lucky goal and win!!!!!!!!

Hahaha

Glad to see you posting about helping overcome addiction.

Main person who has helped you is yourself Jim, making that decision back in April is really worth something now and you are 4 and a half months gamble free.

Well done mate and great hearing from you.

Oh P.s is there any way we can persuade you to change your football team mate, your kinda lowering the tone a bit LOL (haha)

Enjoy your weekend matey

All the best

Magic (The doncaster Rovers fan - TOP TEAM, yes,yes i know we lost!)