no win situation

Hi All

I was reading through my early entries in my diary as i was getting the odd urge.I wrote early on that i considered myself to be clever enough to win money (mainly at the poker although horses were my main vice.)

Of course lots of times i would win only to lose more on the horses.Thats not clever at all.

These days i consider myself clever enough to know i can never win.

These are facts :

16 months ago i had no home,no car ,no money,i felt suicidal ,i spent no time with my kids and missus,i had no future.

Now i have a home(rented and i like it that way),i have a car ,i have money ,i feel happy and have a great family life.

Its been hard at times and i have no doubt there will still be hard times ahead ,but i just wanted to let people know who are just starting off on this journey ,that there is hope.

Of course as far as im concerned im still a compulsive gambler ,but im winning the fight.All the best Jeff.

Hi Jeff. That last post is a very nice post. Healthy reflection is very important in recovery. It reminds us how far we have come. Be proud of what you have achieved. I am grateful to have been alongside your journey. Thank you for sharing and being here. God Bless. Sabine. x

It really just goes to show what life can really be like when we don't gamble.

Many thanks for sharing this. Dreams are there to be turned into reality.

Have a great gamble-free weekend.

Getting There

Hi Jeff.

I liked your last post. It's been great following your journey over the past 16 months. You have shown that by not gambling we can all improve our lives immeasurably.

One problem though Jeff. 16 months ago Man City were awash with cash but couldn't win a trophy and 16 months on Man City are awash with a cash and cannot beat Notts County! I think they will get there in the end though!

I look forward to reading the list of golf courses you are proposing to play. I'm a proper nerd when it comes to looking at golf courses. Sometimes Jeff i would rather look at pictures of a beautiful golf course than pictures of a beautiful lady!

Keep up the sterling work big fella.

Hi Jeff,

Your last post really resonated with me, seeing how bleak everything was when I first resolved to stop gambling it was extremely bad, and there didn't seem to be a way out. Even in the winter of my debt repayment it's better than it was then.

Spring is just around the corner, and with the rejuvenation of the countryside and the weather, hopefully will come the rejuvenation of the mood, and optimism takes hold one more.

All the best

Ryan

great last post jeff mate 🙂 im still around pal,just my mobile packed in and ive had hassle trying for a new one...like you though these diaries are a MUST whether it be a posting frenzy or just a dailly read to keep us on our toes..never a doubt but keep staying strong my friend 😉

Hi dude

Well done. Gambling is only a problem, if we gamble.

Shaun

Hi Jeff,it does us all a bit of good to read our early posts from time to time,i often do that,it reminds me of where i was then and is a good benchmark for where i am now:).Keep up the good work.

Seano.

Hi Jeff.

Thanks for the post mate.

It was an interesting day yesterday in the PL and i hope you enjoyed your outing to Eastlands. Man Utd losing has opened things up again and i just wonder whether that might be the start of a tough run for them. I believe the Manchester derby is upcoming soon and i know they have Chelsea to play twice so there will be a few twists and turns yet i'm sure!

No golf for you this weekend mate? It's blowing a gale outisde my window at the moment so i'm glad i got my game in yesterday rather than today!

Thanks for your continued support Jeff, you have been and you continue to be a huge help to me.

Hey Jeff how you doing ? just thought I would drop you a note - its been a while since I last logged on here. Can see your still doing the rounds giving support and help as and when needed 🙂 Funny I agree and feel the same way as what you wrote on my diary. Council house, tent - caravan - in the end it dont really matter. Its whats inside that counts. When trying to overcome long term any addiction we become very intro spective (not sure if thats the right word) but you know what I mean - looking inside ourselves to see what the hell is going on. This can only be a good thing long term.

Hope your doing good - I have some reading to do here it seems. All the best to you Blocked.

Hi Jeff

Thanks for your post. Firstly, I'm amazed I'm able to reply to you as I had specifically requested that Gamcare 'close' my account and they explicitly replied via e-mail that they had done just that. A bit like when you try to close your online account with a bookies and somehow they 'forget' and leave you to continue to punt your brains out, methinks.

I've been checking the site and reading the various threads as avidly as before - still a great help.

Jeff, you're very astute (as usual). You're right - I still haven't had a bet since 14th November last year nor an urge. So odd.

It just seems to be over for me, as far as gambling is concerned, but I'm very careful not to be complacent. I still have a big debt problem and pressure from several other areas but I feel so much more positive and calm, more than I've ever felt for years. Things will definitely get better for me. The cure for me? - Willpower, barriers, distractions and time.

Thanks for your concern and all the very best to you too, mate.

Chris

Hi Jeff.

Any golf for you this weekend mate? Let me know if you are hitting any courses in the north west and i will let you know if i have played them.

It will not have escaped your attention that there is every possibility that Man City will be playing Everton at the City of Manchester stadium in the FA Cup quarter final! I'll be expecting the usual result if the meeting does take place!

Have a great weekend big man.

Hi Jeff.

Thanks for the post mate. I've been out for a few drinks and i'm a little worse for wear at the moment but i wanted to say that you are my inspiration. From day one you have been there for me and whilst i wish i could have been as strong as you from day one you have sure shown me the way!

Cheers Jeff from the bottom of my heart.

Hi All

Thanks for posting Chris,Curley ,Seano and blocked.Good to hear from you all as always.Ive not updated for a while although i read every day.Well as you know i was still always watching horse racing in my early days of recovery and without actually realising it i have seemed to gradually put it out of my mind.Yesterday i was watching athletics and switched over to find out racing was on tv.I watched the odd race without any enthusiasm or urges and then turned back to athletics.I realised i hadnt watched it on tv for a good while.It felt good really.I suppose with Cheltenham on soon i will look out for certain results out of sentimentality i suppose but if they win or lose it doesnt really matter i wont have wasted my money on them.

I notice there are a lot of new posters lately and although i do not post as much these days if i can offer any help i will.As far as i am concerned i can never say ive beaten this but so far so good eh.17 months and counting so i suppose the next landmark for me is 2 years.It can be done and it does get easier.All the best Jeff.

Always good to hear from you jeff mate 🙂 like you will enjoy the festival (if its on its on if its not i wont lose sleep) i guess what im trying to say is either way not bothered lol but what a difference compared to last year at this time eh ?? You are one of the main reasons im at where i am today..thanks my friend 🙂