My road to recovery and debt free

Morning everyone

I am thinking of posting in the mornings for a while as it is a positive way to start my day.

I am 1 week gamble free again!

I am feeling good again today, thanks for the support Rhoda and boxingdayfresh I really appreciate it.

I have stopped the YouTube videos and I am finding better ways to use my time, my biggest potential relapse time is when I am unwinding and relaxing. Therefore I am going to make use of Netflix and other means in order to combat any urges.

I'm like that too, I find that if I post and read in here, it gives me a bit more inner steel to get through the day and to fend off ideas of gambling. Keep at it squire!

Hey - you're right - I used to use gambling in a similar way - relaxing on a night. Netflix sounds like a good plan for you - I always try to watch tv and record the programmes I like as I don't have Netflix! But keeps us busy and less likely to be lured back into gambling !

Morning everyone

Thanks for the replies this week guys it has given me a big boost 🙂

On to day 9, looking like another busy day which is great, I am currently working through a self made plan on paying back my debts that starts with me accumulating a months expenses before I start paying off debt. That way I will not borrow as I will have the cash reserves. I am a bit nervous about holding that much cash again but it will be nice having that comfort level but I must keep posting in my diary and being self aware enough to recognise an urge when it arises and then knowing what to do with it.

Do the plan and stick to it - you're doing well so far - keep at it 🙂

Evening everyone

Quick thanks to boxingdayfresh your posts mean a lot to thanks very much.

Update - Currently 11 days gambling free, I have made a decision to come on here when I have an urge or feel I want to share my progress. I found before when I was posting every day all it was doing was becoming a chore and reminding me of gambling.

I look at it this way, if I am not thinking of gambling and enjoying other aspects of my life, then there is no need to remind myself of gambling.

Maybe I am looking at this wrong? But for now I am going to go about my life and ensure I use this site as a crutch should urges arise; and I am sure they will.

All the best to everyone, Im off to watch the boxing.

Sounds good JTman... I sort of feel the same about the site - it can become a chore posting each day ... just use the site as and when ... but do make sure this is your first port of call if you get the urges as I've always found that my biggest problems have arose when I've done the same. It's all a big learning curve ... this time though I'm trying sticking with checking in and using the site every day at the moment anyway. Glad you're doing well and hope you enjoy the boxing tonight !

Congratulations on your 12 day gf count Jman.
Use this diary as you please. The early days of recovery can play havoc with our thoughts and feelings. Just do whatever is best for you.
Take care on holding the cash, if it starts to mess with your head find a plan B.
You're doing so well, I look forward to reading about your continued success! x

I know how you feel i was around 22k in debt 15 on loan and 7 on cc. im at the other end ive only a few months left to pay it all off. Its been a long hard drag. 2 steps forward and 1 back sometimes. ive lost money on the way but im nearly there. You stick with it and you will be fine. Put blocks in the way. I had no internet for the first year of recovery saved me loads of money. These final 4 months will be hell as you know your nearly there but not there yet. You have all this to come good luck and all the best.

evening everyone

Thanks for the support guys it's great knowing people are in your corner. I'm not long in from work and felt as if I should check up on here to keep myself focused, tomorrow will be 2 weeks free for me 🙂

Things are going well at the moment, I am keeping up with all my payments, although it's going to take time it's great knowing that I am reducing and not adding to my debts.

Carlsimon massive respect for what you have achieved, I am aiming to do exactly the same.

Anyway just a quick post, on to day 14 tomorrow 🙂

I am on day 1 (again) reading your diary has made me so jealous /eager to be sitting in your fortunate position 2 weeks GF, well done mate

Evening everyone checking in again

Currently on day 15 which feels great 🙂

Money is tight at the moment but from next week I should start to see myself get ahead in terms of paying bills and having money left. I am very concious of this and will take things slow in regards to trusting myself with money.

Anyway was going to post at lunchtime today on my phone but it was proving difficult, reason be is I was walking to get a subway and must of passed at least 10 bookies on my walk there. All of a sudden I knew I had 40 quid in my wallet and for a brief split second I had thoughts of resorting back to what I would usually do which is walk in with 40, play roulette and get it to 100 and then proceed to lose it all.

I am pleased to report that I this irrational thought did not last and I proceeded about my day, I am winning these small battles on a daily now and as long as I can remain focused and learn from my mistakes then I will be fine.

HTZ thanks for posting on here mate, trust me 2 weeks ago I feel absolutely terrible after a relapse. But getting to day 15 this time round I feel much much stronger for it as I was able to identify the factors that led me to relapse. Look at it as a learning curve mate.

Anyway I hope everyone is doing good and I will post towards the end of the week sometime.

Evening everyone

Currently relaxing in bed so thought I would spend a few minutes reading everyones diaries and posting a quick update.

Almost finished day 16, currently feeling good no real urges today.

Will post more over the weekend

Morning all

It was nice waking up on day 18 today, I would usually be sitting looking at form for football and horse racing bets but not any more 🙂

Instead today will be spent catching up on plenty of overdue tasks that have been neglected this week and spending time with the family. Instead I could be sitting in my room on my own watching the horse racing on my laptop with the football scores on the TV. It genuinely makes your realise that you lose a hell of a lot more besides money when gambling.

Anyway heres to a gamble free weekend and I look forward to hitting the 3 week marker next week.

Well done you! That's great you are building up the gamble free days. Like you I ended up in tons of debt. Close to 30k and nearly ruined my life gambling. I'd sometimes leave work for lunch, go to the casino and not come back and end up spending thousands. I felt sick so many times, how could I do that and lose so much so often but the worst part was not being able to tell my fiancГ© or family how much I'd messed up. Something awful happened one night last year after a bad loss in the casino. It was so shocking and bad I've not gambled since. It's been over 170 days since and whilst I've had urges plenty of times since I'm so shocked what bad stuff can happen as a result of gambling it's kept me away. I'm also building my battered credit rating up since and paying my debts which as of today are 26k and I feel so much happier since stopping. Life is much more predictable and the lows are much less low. Good luck