no win situation

Thanks for your post in my diary. Yes, you're right in that in the beginning I was posting a fair bit but then started using the forum very sporatically. Lately, that's been changing for me. I'm coming here every day now. Even when I was using the forum, I don't think I was very committed to quitting. I do feel a bit different now... but that's probably only because I'm so very close to rock bottom now. I KNOW I'm very close to losing everything and that gambling is not the solution. To be honest, I don't remember all that much from the past few years. My brain has been in a big fog and to some extent it still is as I'm so early in my true recovery. I've spent a bit of time now reading some of your diary and I think I'm now at the point where you were when you very first posted so I have a long road ahead. I'm so pleased for your continued abstinence which inspires me and helps me believe it can be done. So, thank you!

Well today is 4 years gamblefree for me something which i thought i would never achieve,but i have and will continue to abstain.i could not have got this far without all of the help i have recieved from you all and i would like to thank everyone who has helped me so far.

As for anyone new on these diaries there is life after gambling.my life has completely turned around keep reading and writing.thank you all again.Jeff.

Well done Jeff... an excellent achievement! regards... S.A 🙂

Jeff pal,I knew your 4 years was due this month and I know these pages are never far away from you.Likewise with me.

Sorry I missed your actual date but huge congratulations on your achievement.

stand up and take a bow friend,you've helped me massively in my recovery and for that im grateful.

Best wishes,

W.P 🙂

Well done jeff. 4 years really is something special. You should be very proud. It's such an amazing achievement to turn your life around the way you have. I know how hard this journey is, I've failed many times but I'm still travelling on that path. It is tough but you have shown it can be done. Well done.

Well done jeff 4 years is brill 🙂 congratulations on changing your life for the better

Take care

The bear

Massive congratulations on the 4 years Jeff. You epitomise what this forum should be all about - someone able to turn their life around and in parallel support every other person on the Forum without criticism or judgement.

Your high level of dignity and empathy is unrivalled for me. Anyone reading your diary and your supportive comments to others will find nothing which offends and nothing which belittles the person you have posted to. Others would do well to attempt to match your standards.

Bottom line - you care more about others on here than you do about yourself and that is a rare trait.

Just wanted to say thanks for the post. Means alot. Cheers jeff and once again congrats on the four years.

Jeff, it's been a while but a belated well done on 4 years. Enjoy your new life and take care kid! Russ

Unbelievable

Its that time of year where everyone makes their new years resolution.

Just watched 3 adverts.

1/ Showing how much smoking can cause a heart attack and encouraging people to stop.

2/weight watchers encouraging people to diet and stay healthy.

3/a well known company encouraging people to gamble all their money and make their lives a misery.

Why cant there be some kind of advert to encourage people to stop gambling,for their new years resolution.

Excellent point. Health issues cost governments billions through medical costs. Gambling brings in revenue through taxes. Maybe one day, who knows.

Hi Jeff

Hope you are doing well. Just returning your diary to page 1 to make it more visible to newcomers.

Best wishes

Captain46

Hi Jeff

great to hear from you and glad you are still doing so well and your life is so much better.

I really don't think you realise how much help you have been to me. Yes I have completely changed my routine and put lots of advice into practice from many people and I've made mistakes and found my own way of getting to the great recovery position I am in now.

However through all of the last 6 years of my recovery, taking into account all of the people who have helped in real life and counselling and on here, you are the only one who I feel both understood me and also believed in me whilst providing the unconditional support.

Some have understood to a degree but not believed I could get to a stage of sports bets only. So they didn't believe in me. You did. I didn't always understand some of your advice at the time but I have kept lots of it in mind and understood it later. You have a way of supporting people which means you don't have cross words with anyone, you don't tell them what to do, you just advise and encourage, you realise there are a number of recovery routes.

I really hope newcomers take the time to read your diary and those of others who I have pushed to the front pages on here, they will get so much help.

It frustrates me that a lot of those giving advice on here these days can only preach one method of complete abstinence from everything and not be more open to the needs of the individual like you were. If someone gambles on horses for 30 years and says they have stopped but they still buy a lottery ticket for example they are told they are a bad man and 'Day 1' starts only when they don't involve themselves in anything which could remotely be linked to gambling. I really don't get what that is all about. That's just following some sort of cult or religion that's not recovery from a problem. Recovery is removing from your life whatever is causing a problem and making it better.

Jeff I will never completely abstain but I have removed the problem area from my life and you have played a big part in that. I will continue to try and advise people on here in a way you did in my remaining time on here but I won't live up to your high standards. If someone wants complete abstinence I will encourage them to go for that but if cutting down or cutting out certain parts is their aim I will support them in that too.

People must see recovery as bespoke. It annoys me when newcomers get initial support only to then be shunned when they don't religiously follow the cult.

I've never experienced anyone who buys a lottery ticket a week and says they have a problem losing £100 a year.

Thanks again Jeff and best wishes always.

Captain46

Hi Jeff.

Just popping by to congratulate your team on a well deserved title triumph. Thank The Lord for that. The thought of that red shower gloating all summer and beyond was filling me with dread.

Keep fighting the good fight Jeff. You are a shining light.

There is life after gambling.

5 years gamblefree today.

best thing i ever done.so far lol