Nothing is more important..

Checking in on day 1.

In 2 hours I'll be safe for the weekend when the banks close as the only way I can get money is over the counter. I have solid blocks in place making online gambling impossible. I have just printed the forms for the National Gambling Clinic assessment that is arranged for the begining of October and will complete them over the weekend.

Just for today I will not gamble.

Day 2 check in.

Felt exhausted yesterday and really low today. Gambling withdrawal is real, something happens in my brain when I gamble like the effects of a drug to a drug addict and when it wears off the withdrawal symptoms kick in, my drug was gambling.

Hi DJL,

Welcome back and we'll done for doing so. 14 months is a long time so I hope you can take strength from that this time around to know you can do it.

Your opening post is exactly what we spoke about at this weeks GA, members going back to gambling after a year or more but this time around going harder than ever, like the time and money saved (if any) during recovery has to be destroyed ASAP. Sorry if this is what happened? I'd love to read why or what you think triggered your relapse. I hope the damage to yourself and family are repairable, this also applies to the debt caused.

I don't really know what advise to give as I'm only 7months gamble free. You'll know what worked well for you in the 14months, just try and find out and address the cause having/wanting to bet again.

Any questions please ask. Otherwise I'll be reading your diary for any updates.

All the best.

Checking in on day 3.

Hi Shep, it's nice to hear from you. I paid off some debt in the 14 months of not gambling but then lost it and a bit more in the space of a few weeks. I'm not sure exactly what caused caused my relapse but I believe the following contributed to it.. I developed a drink problem when I first tried to stop gambling (unsuccessfully) and carried on drinking when I managed to stop, unfortunately I swapped gambling for drinking. Anyway I haven't had a drink since December 2015 but have had a bit of a rough time and not having alcohol made the desire to gamble return. Another possible reason is that I hadn't addressed my debts as part of my recovery, I'm not behind on any payments but it will take many years to pay them off at the current rate, I'm self employed so the finances are complicated. Following my relapse I have come up with a plan to reduce my outgoings so that I can significantly speed up the debt repayments.

The banks are open again tomorrow so I'm not as safe as the weekends, fortunately they close at 5pm.

Day 4.

Checking in, day 5.

6

`Well done keep it going

Well done, stay strong! X

Checking in on day 7 (1 week)

Hi Charley and Michael, many thanks for your messages, hope all is well. I need to keep going and stay strong as I don't think I could take another relapse/recovery, the last week has been horrendous.

Today is 1 week so I'm about to head in to the village for a treat.. a bacon butty!

Day 8

Day 9.

Don't really like counting days but it's keeping me accountable for now. I said to myself that I'd do it for the first 90 days so I will.

10

11