New diary, final diary I will win this time.

Good luck my friend, you can beat it I know you can. Stay focused and keep readin and posting on here to fill your time. Dave

Your Nan and Grandad sound like the perfect "higher power" to help you on your journey. My Mum died last year and I am going to get this licked for her this time!

Mark,
All i would say is give GA a chance to work its magic. Give it your full commitment for 3months. If you feel after that time it hasnt helped then fine. Whats the alternative? I dreaded the thought of going. I thought i was better than that, somehow different. I learnt quickly i wasnt. Everyone understood my feelings & fears. They nodded their heads when i talked because they had walked in my shoes. For the first time in my life i didnt feel alone

Dan

Day 2
Just got into work. Am more thinking about my trip to Prague than betting which is good. I'm a bit concerned with spending money tho as I still owe thousands and most of it charging interest on credit cards but I just have to accept that and carry on.
It's going to be a long day in work as there's not much to do so I'm sure to be gathering my thoughts throughout the day.

Mba

NT
I see you were where I am now only a week ago.
I'm pleased you are still here and in the nicest possible way it relieves me that many of us have blips but the main thing is to realise it and come back stronger.

Keep focussed and fight the feelings. You can and will win this time. Dave

Day 6.
I have been on a stag to Prague.
Returned last night.
No thoughts of betting just had a good time.
Feeling a bit low today, however I'm still following that yellow brick road.

Mba

Day 7.
Many other things going on in my head.
I don't want to gamble I want to be happy.
I am sticking to the yellow brick road.
Still feel a bit low. Maybe because this time last year was the start of my Nans final time in hospital. I'll never get over it but have to accept it.
Sometimes i just want to go to hers for a chat about so much that has happened over the last year.
Mba

Into the second week now, well done my friend.

Suzanne xxx

Day 8.

Still feeling so low at times. Feel as though I have nothing to look forward to in life but I have so much.
Think my debt is getting me down and the fact I cannot do anything about it.
Anyone have any advice on me pulling myself together and feeling happy again?

Mba

It's tough pal but just try and think this is the situation that you've been landed with and you can get back to normality if you abstain or if you don't it's going to get worse. The former sounds tough but is much better than the latter. Just keep going and don't look back. Good luck.

Thanks change I appreciate your words.
I just feel really low at the moment however I do not have any urges to gamble. I have accepted I won't be gambling again.
Mba

Hi Mba! Sorry to hear you're feeling low. Money is an entirely man-made concept, happiness and contentment are not. Your debt is an unfortunate consequence of gambling, one which you should (and do) acknowledge, but don't let it replace gambling as your master. Debt must not be your master, you must master your debt. Hell it's boring, but get the old spreadsheet out, pop your income and expenditure down and work out a realistic way forward. Once you see a realistic proposal down on paper, no matter how long it might take to fulfil, you will see the length of your journey and hopefully as you make your way along that road ticking milestones off as you do, you will be able to feel proud of your achievements and happy and safe in the knowledge you might the right choice.

Stay well mate you can do this. Debt/Money we use it as a stick to beat ourselves with. Time to enjoy life and get clear of this c**P/time waste. You can do it, slips/relapses happen but you can do this. Have a good day