One day at a time.

Day 24 is in the can. Just for today, I did not gamble.

Bit of an odd day. Some minor things irritated me today, felt a wee bit down for no real reason. But I've felt better this evening, spending time with my missus has made the difference.

Tomorrow is my 5th anniversary with my girlfriend. It's been virtually all great, apart from one thing - gambling. So tomorrow, we'll do something special, not sure what though. Just feels great not to have gambling on my mind or lying to her. Enjoying life again, at least trying to.

One day at a time.

Thanks

Scott

Hi Scott,

Hope you had a great anniversary day - you deserve it - you are doing fanstastically well. Seems you are getting a bit agitated lately and I would advise don't fight your feelings, just let them roll over and around you i.e. let them flow. very soon you'll be on an even keel!

Thanks, man.

Day 28 today, 4 full weeks of not gambling. I've stopped counting to be honest, I had to check the calendar. I've not posted for a few days, but I have thought about it and I have been reading other diaries.

Still feeling really strong, still don't have a single urge, which is unusual. By now, I'd have thought about doing it, thinking 'where's the harm'? I know where the harm is now, it's all in that first bet. I don't want it anymore, ever.

I really can't put my finger on why this has been different this time. Even though I've declared myself a problem gambler before, I don't think I truly believed it - either that or I kidded myself enough to gamble again. Not this time. This is the line in the sand. This is my eureka moment. I've said the 'right' things before, but I actually believe what I'm actually saying now. This is why it's so hard to give up it for good, we often aren't honest enough to admit it to ourselves.

Feeling very good as of now. I've had access to money in the last 3 weeks and each time I've paid off debts instead of wasting it and getting into more trouble. I'm doing the right things because I WANT to.

Just for today, I did not gamble.

One day at a time.

Thanks

Scott

I'm glad things are looking up for you now Scott. I find that, while I feel good for stopping gambling, I need to have something to constantly target to stop myself feeling down about the aftermath. The realisation of what I done, how much I wasted and how I changed as a person leaves me feeling guilty and angry.

Looking to target something is how I try to combat it. Firstly, I always look to my next payday...the next time the debt is chipped away, this gives me the drive to stay off the gambling for good.

I think you are well on the right track, as you say WANTING to do it now. I think the reason why so many people struggle is because they feel they have to. But the thought of a buzz of a win is still stronger than the thought of darkness that the general gambling will bring.

Either way, glad to read of your progress matey,

Tim

Thanks for the encouraging words on my diary, they truly helped!!

Congratulations to you on your continuing recovery. Keep taking it one day at a time mate.

Thrustcadet

Hi Scott just wondering how you getting on. Hope you ok and still going strong.

Kim x

Hi everyone,

thanks for your comments. I'm doing great, Day 32 of gambling free life is nearly complete and I'm feeling chuffed.

I'm moving on Friday, so my time is completely dominated by that really. Have felt slightly stressed as you'd expect, but no thoughts of gambling at all. Not really had time for this place or GA, which is not something I intend to keep doing - it's still far too early to . As each day passes, it feels so much easier, the clarity of thought is really pushing me further and further away from it. I'm still only one bet from meltdown, but it doesn't feel like a concern at the moment. I can't get complacent though, I will continue to take it very seriously and will post here as I go. The strength I have got from this forum has shocked me, I had no idea of how it could work. Still, I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did so now.

So yeah, another busy week ahead, I'll do my best to get on here to let you know how I'm getting on.

Stay strong friends, we can do this. One day at a time.

Scott.

Hi Scott,

Thought I would drop by and wish you well with the move later this week. You'll no doubt have loads to do to keep you busy before, during & for some time after the move, that you will wonder where you found the time to gamble in the past!

Keep positive.

All the best, Jim

Thanks everyone, today is day 40 without gambling and just for today I will not gamble.

I'm now living in the big smoke of London. Been away from here for a week or so, a combination of being without internet and the actual moving down here. I had arranged a van+man to take our stuff down, but the guy allegedly had an asthma attack on the day in question and didn't turn up. Left us in a bit of a spot, but my girlfriend's friend drove us down in a hired van to get us out of bother. Got quite stressed about it, but I kept it together.

Not had any thoughts of gambling, though I did notice a huge amount of bookmaker shops near me. Most of them had their windows smashed in too (The riots were terrible and all, but I did smile at that! Schadenfreude I think they call it). Am going to get to a meeting this week, need to get settled down here too.

So yeah, not much to report, but it's going really well.

One day at a time.

Thanks

Scott

Hi Scott,

Welcome to your new home in the big smoke! I hope you like living in London and have started to settle in. Great news to hear you have reached day 40, you are doing so well and its all encouraging news.... i'm now at day 47 so we are both still on track, lets keep it going. I hope the bookies stay smashed up, burnt down, boarded up or whatever damage the rioters have caused.

Keep strong and take care

Kim x

Hey everyone, it's been a while (10 days to be precise). Last night was the completion of 50 days without gambling in my life. I've never been one for celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, but I feel great having achieved this landmark. Still a long way to go, but it's a start. I've not had any inclination at all to gamble, no wobbles or near misses. Just glad that I've made so much progress and feel so much better for it.

Still settling into London life, which is occupying my time at the moment. Haven't got to a meeting yet, which I need to rectify as soon as possible. Been wanting to post on here for a few days, but I've just not had any time.

Today is day 51 and am still sticking to my thread title. One day at a time.

Thanks

Scott.

Hi Scott,

Congrats and well done on reaching 50+ days thats such an achievement. I hope you are enjoying your new life in London and starting to settle in now. Keep up the good fight "one day at a time" you're doing brilliantly...

Kim x

well done scott - isee you are wll over your half centuary! Staystrong and take it one day at a time as you say.

Bobby

Thanks for your comments, guys.

Day 64 today. Just for today, I did not gamble. Still going strong, not flinched or wavered at all. Been settling down to the London pace of life and have been doing things I enjoy, whether it be music gigs, comedy nights, going to the cricket, keeping fit, seeing old friends. My life is enjoyable and long way it continue. The pills have helped stabilise my mood, although I'm sleeping way more than I'm used to. It's great in one way, though I wish I could perk up quicker in the mornings. Am depending on caffeine at the moment, not something I'm used to. Still, on the addiction front, it's preferable to wasting my life, time and money in gambling. I'm in an area with more bookies than I've ever seen and I just keep walking on by. Don't need it, don't want it.

So yeah, still going, one day at a time.

Thanks

Scott

Hi

I have just read through your diary and it made me smile. My Name is Sam (antha) and I am on day 4 of no gambling, your diary has give me so much hope and I cannot wait to be where you are right now. Well done and lots of love to you. x