One day at a time

Hi Mark

The FOBT's were my pain also, would spend hours and hours on them with the same result at the end.

You have to keep strong and realise in the long run you will never, never win. Keep going and most of all keep the faith.

Shaun

Day 25

Hi shaun, yes i agree. people like us cant win as even walking away on a high/profit doesnt class as winning. Its more like a very short term loan as it all gets returned soon after and with interest too. Im learning its better just to stay away. 1 May was my last time I was on a FOBT so doing pretty good if i do say so myself.

However; I have slightly mixed feelings regarding yesterday and my participation in our works world cup sweepstake. It cost a quid and i got iran (lucky me) lol. I know everyone is their own individual and everything and therefore different opinions will exist but i personally dont see it a problem (for me) in taking part. Its not costing a lot, its not going to trigger me in any way to start going to the bookies again but i can also appreciate that some people would class yesterday as a slip, therefore making today day 1.

I guess that i feel like ive maybe let the team down in the 2014 challenge??

Sonic Boom,

Read your post here and in the 2014 Challenge. I am mutual on the topic just came here to say congrats on the amount of days you have already accumulated. One question tho if you got England playing Iran who are you rooting for??

CL

Hi Cl

Thank you for taking the time to post on my diary. Hope your own recovery is going well?

In answer to your question - England to win. Which may bdg the question why bother with the sweepstake, I guess i didnt think it through, maybe just wanted to feel normal / prove that i was strong enough not to let a works sweepstake start a cycle of gambling.

Hi sonic - I've been reading your recent posts on the Challenge thread and just wanted to say that no, you haven't let the side down. You have been honest about a tricky situation - what more could we ask? The important thing is that you are now strong enough to know that this is just a minor sidestep on your path.

You know how your life has changed for the better since joining the site and long may it continue.

Joanna

Keep going sonic, even if we have what we think is a minor blip CARRY ON.

After all, what is the alternative, we don't want to go back there!!!!!!

Shaun

Sonic seems your doing great and days mounting up. I wish you all the best on your recovery may it continue and be painless we all deserve happiness in our lives.

CL

Thanks Johana, Shaun and CL

Still going well, had a few urges wirh the world cup games but do you know what, ive been trying to imagine my emotions should i win or lose... both would be of regret, I woyld have thrown away all the hard work ive gone through over the last few weeks and for what? Sure, if i win i would have a few extra quid but whats the point? Its not like i would spend it constructivly, it would just be 'gambling' money and once id gambled i would be thinking well whats the point in stoppin, the world cups got another 60 odd games to go!!

Hi Sonic

Well done for getting this far and for rationalising those urges what you have said is completely right what is the point of playing for a few quid we know we would not stop there

Keep thinking like that very positive thoughts

Suzanne x

Hi sonic

I was drawn to your diary thro the heading, one day at a time.

That's exactly how I have to live my life now. One morning one afternoon and one night at a time. Sometimes a day can feel like a lifetime so breaking it down in bite size chunk makes it easier to swallow.

I'm not a gambler but a casualty of one as are my children.

I have my diary to document the past again in bite sized chunks and the present.

The results of gambling affects both side in a very similar way. I am here to understand the past and deal with the future by conversing with other CG

No one on here has any reason ( I hope) to lie to me. I feel that most are very open and honest and that's what I need.

Obviously my ex wasn't either open or honest with me ever.

I wish you well with your recovery as you certainly seem to have made a solid start

I don't wish any CG luck as that was used up long ago.

I wish you strength of character and commitment to a better you

Shelly

Day 31

Wow, seems so long ago since my last bet (lost 15 quid on the fa cup final). Its felt surprisingly good watching the football without having the anguish of hoping that the team ive backed doesnt concede a last minute goal or when ive needed 2 corners in the last 5 mins getting all stressed!!

Today will be another gamble free day 🙂

Day 37.... Feeling good about these days that are building up 🙂

Gambling - I got one less problem without ya...

Day 46

Managed to get through payday, temptation to have a bet on the football was massive. Cant believe the last time i was in a bookies playing the FOBT was 2 months ago (1 May). If i hadnt had self excluded I doubt I would have been able to resist going in.

Hi sonic

Very well done on getting through payday

And day 46 is great keep doing what you are doing

Suzanne x

Not posted for a while....

been a tough coulple of weeks finacially. Got a couple of creditors playing hardball with me so been quite stressful trying to keep them off my back.

I have to confess to a slight blip, just trying to win 30-50 pounds to get me through to my next payday so ended up losing 10 on the world cup final

On the plus side ive not been in any bookies since 1 May which is a big achievement for me. Im not even thinking of those evil FOBT`s... if i did play again i would actually scared of winnings, because I know the next day I would be back again. The fact its a 20 min trek to a bookies that im not self excluded from helps a bit.