New start first time here

Ga

Fella welcome to the forum, a place full of like minded folk who share the same goal, to arrest that all important next punt, to put an end to the self created misery that is the compulsion to gamble.

Well done for being honest with your mum and handing your finances over to her to control.

The advice gifted to me on my first days recovery still works today over three years on

There is a triangle

Time-money-location

Take one away and the punt becomes impossible Gifting the rational side of the brain time to think, time to re wire itself.

There is no cure for the compulsion to gamble, no medicine to stop addiction controlling your mind.

By starving it the opportunity to entice you into feeding it you grant yourself the opportunity to make change.

Why do you gamble?

For me it was escapism, I ran from the world in good and bad times to the open arms of addiction.

Self exclusion works for me to boot, again further blocks to gift your rational brain precious power.

Take all the help out there, embrace recovery it comes with no stake and without waging a single penny you actually WIN.

Enjoy it.

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks for your response duncanmac, had a very bad sleep last night thought how am I going to continue I've no money and my whole family are in money difficulty but not due to gambling, to watch my mother walking around in a daze as if it's her that has been gambling is heartbreaking, she's taking the burden as much as I have and she's a woman that hasn't gambled in her life, I just feel like I've let everyone down, how do people get through the day knowing we've lost everything?

Today I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the past few years and all the problems that I have caused through gambling this has made me feel terrible but at the same time it has given me fuel to stop even more so.

i have tried to stop previously but I think they were empty promises as I had never actually done anything about it but this time is different I feel completely commited to stoping.

Tomorrow I have a day off and this is when I'm at my weakest but I plan on going to the cinema I don't have to take money with me as I have a gift voucher I won in a raffle so this will make sure I don't gamble.

Duncan I've read your recovery diary all day while at work when I've had the chance and it's an inspiration thank you so much for sharing it with us it gives me the confidence that I can put an end to this nasty addiction

GA day 2

So on the end of day 3 I believe I am doing well I've spent the day gardening, taking my mother to the shops as she doesn't drive, reading books and having a nice relaxing bath to end the day I have thought of gambling all day but not that I want to do it but the complete opposite of how devastating an addiction it is,

My girlfriend spoke today of getting engaged, if only she knew the money trouble I have, I have made a promise that by December on our third anniversary I will have my debts sorted and will have the money to buy an engagement ring, people may think this as farfetched as debts take longer to pay off but to be honest my debts aren't high they are 2000 pounds compared to other amounts I have seen people on this forum getting into but I know that our addictions are exactly the same no matter how much money involved.

I have so many things to look forward to and will only acomplish these by not gambling so I am positive that I can beat this demon,

So I pray that tomorrow I will not gamble as I am taking it a day at a time

Thank you to anyone reading my posts much appreciated

GA day 3

Today is the first day I've really had access to money I took my car for MOT then had to go get some groceries I had thought about spending some money on a scratch card thinking what's the harm but I realised that this is still a form of gambling and I have to abstain from it completely so I decided against it,

I've just arrived in work for the evening shift and was in a bit early so a thought popped into my head to go to the casino a waste a half hour but I put this thought to the back of my head as quick as it came into my head,

I feel good that I decided against gambling on both occasions and that the urges will continue but I know not to give in,

Day 4 and I feel good about things I'm still upset about debts but the thing keeping me going is the longer I abstain from gambling the quicker my debts will be paid off and the quicker il be gamble free and debt free and be able to get my girlfriend the engagement ring I've been longing to get as I want nothing more than to get maried and I am determined that she won't marry someone with a huge gambling problem and huge debts,

Day 4

GA taking it one day at a time

Today is the first day I've really had access to money I took my car for MOT then had to go get some groceries I had thought about spending some money on a scratch card thinking what's the harm but I realised that this is still a form of gambling and I have to abstain from it completely so I decided against it,

I've just arrived in work for the evening shift and was in a bit early so a thought popped into my head to go to the casino a waste a half hour but I put this thought to the back of my head as quick as it came into my head,

I feel good that I decided against gambling on both occasions and that the urges will continue but I know not to give in,

Day 4 and I feel good about things I'm still upset about debts but the thing keeping me going is the longer I abstain from gambling the quicker my debts will be paid off and the quicker il be gamble free and debt free and be able to get my girlfriend the engagement ring I've been longing to get as I want nothing more than to get maried and I am determined that she won't marry someone with a huge gambling problem and huge debts,

Day 4

GA taking it one day at a time

Hi, I've just signed up and I e read your story. Just wanted to let you know you've done the right thing by being honest and facing up to your addiction. Something I need to do. I will be back to finish my reply later

Thanks for your support green eyes much appreciated,

Today would've been a gambling day, I got my wages but didn't have any incling to gamble I just went to the bank and put it in there and kept a few pound to keep myself in food and fuel in my car.

Instead of gambling I'm taking my girlfriend out tonight and I'm going to see the rewards of making her happy instead of gambling money away meaning we'd have to sit in tonight,

Alls looking good so far I'm totally against gambling but I know it's early days and need to keep my guard up against any urges that will come my way, I'm strong and can fight them,

Day 5

GA

How you getting on mate?

How did you get on in the end?