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

((((jim)))) you sound great.

was wonderful spending time with you and jac today 🙂 that was a nice surprise!

peg

xoxo

thanks peg

we both enjoyed it too, and i didnt get too much of an ear bashing for getting the amount of years we have been married wrong!!

She is good for me though, she helps me on my recovery so much and so willingly. I dont deserve her but I am so glad that I have her.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Planning to give up another one of my vices on Sunday......smoking!!

This is gong to be tough as well but like the gambling i shall take it one day at a time.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

hi and weldone in your recovery like you self i go to GA FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND 5 MONTHS NOT GAMBLED SINCE THEN I HAVE ALSO SET UP A NEW GA GROUP AS WELL WHERE I LIVE BUT I DO ATTEND THE FIRST ON THAT I WENT TO BECAUSE I AM VERY ACITVED IN THE GROUP AS THE SEC IAM GOING TO THE METTING IN MANCHESTER ON THE 28TH OF APRILL WILL YOU BE ATTENDING TAKE ONE DAY AT THE TIME MATE

Well, not long to go until my year marker now..19 days I think!

things are going very well and I feel very much on top of it all.

In fact i feel so strong that 3 days ago I decided to tackle another one of my addictions...I stopped smoking!

Slowly but surely i am retaking control of my life and it feels good.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

getting excited about the milestone Jim? How does you local g.a. group celebrate?

and the smoking...great for you...i have been 'gearing up' to do it as well...i ordered a book, it arrived today...we shall see 🙂

peg

xoxoxo

Hello Jim, Olly here! Remember me?

Long time, very long time, no post. Gonna post on my diary in a minute (if I can find it) - in a nutshell, not too bad, not perfect but not too bad!! Anyway, just wanted to say 'hi', I have very fond memories of our mutual support many months ago now, and good to see that you are really showing how it's done.

Very best wishes,

O

A voice from the past....good to hear from you olly, I have posted on your diary.

well another few days older and hopefully another few days wiser. Life trucks on without gambling and i must admit I like it.

still not smoking...been five days now without a f*g and it isnt as bad as I thought it would be..so far!!

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hi Jim, good to hear from you again and thanks for posting on my diary.

You say that a lot of the 'old regulars' don't post much these days...well, that's as it should be, I guess this site is for those going through the agonies and the brave attempts at recovery that we know too well. Perhaps it is for the new folk - and God forbid, there's no shortage of them - but anyway, it is lovely to see that you're still posting and keeping the faith. I remember all too well reading your first post on here, I think I myself was only a few weeks in at that time, and it is so good - SO GOOD - to see that you're winning the battle. And yes, a year of freedom too.

I must admit to feeling a bit 'dislocated' on here now, with so many new people. What of Stumper, Carol-Ann...? Anything from them? Joy? Cass? Too many...anyway, lovely to read from you, and ultimate respect.

O

hi jim.

i think this book might be a big help to me *especially* because I am a cg in recovery...so many of the things discussed in the book, in regards to stopping smoking, I can also relate to stopping gambling...

for instance..

the author suggests that we forget the reasons that we'd like to stop...and to ask ourselves the following questions:

1. What is it doing for me?

2. Do I actually enjoy it?

3. Do I really need to go through life paying through the nose just to stick these things in my mouth and suffocate myself?

_____

While I might argue that smoking helps me to relax..the author suggests that that is an illusion, 'unless you consider the wearing of tight shoes to enjoy the removal of them as some sort of pleasure'.

His theory is that we smoke for two reasons..

1. Nicotine addiction

2. Brainwashing

and he makes one point that I find particularly interesting...

(regarding smoking and gambling as well)

the main reason smokers fail to see smoking in it's true light is that it works back to front. It's when you are NOT smoking that you suffer that empty feeling..but because the process of getting hooked is very subtle and gradual in the early days, we regard that feeling as normal and don't blame it n the previous cigarette. The moment you light up, you get an almost immediate boost or buzz and do actually feel less nervous or more relaxed, and the cigarette gets the credit.

well, he says to continue smoking until i finish the book.

how is it going for you? Are you using any particular 'method'?

wishing you well,

peg

xoxo

I am still not gambling and still not smoking.

Its been almost a year since I had my last bet (12 days to go), and 10 days since I had my last cigarette, and I am enjoying being both a non gambler and a non smoker.

Not much else to say really.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hi Jim,

I try to get arround this site a bit. I can't say I've read your dairy from go but I just wanted to say 1 year will be a great achievement for you and now the cigs.

Cheers, James

Not much else to say really.

that was PLENTY to say...what a lovely post to be able to make.

will there be a pinning ceremony for your one year, Jim?

i am not sure if there will be a pinning ceremony Peg, but I am not that fussed if there isnt. Just to get back to a year gambling free is reward enough for me.

Jim (last bet 22/04/06)

Hi Jim, thank you for your kind posting on my diary. Wish I could be posting to be blowing my own trumpet but not yet....will be this time next year!!!!

Sooooo pleased for you, its been tough for you but you are making it happen. And not smoking as well is brilliant. Not easy when you are giving up something you enjoy but you are a strong person and that shows more in actions and not words.

You and Olly have inspired me to keep on the treadmill and though its only day 4 I am determined to join you next year in a joint celebration!!! cheers for now Joy x