One small step for a man, a giant leap for me..

Hello slangley12

You sound very motivated and ‘’positive’’ as you say. I hope you continue to find the forum helpful. Helpline advisors can give you further information on free counselling services in your local area, as well as your local Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Advisors can also offer information on strategies that can be very useful when stopping gambling.

If you want to call the helpline the telephone number is 0808 802 0133. Lines are open 8am until midnight.

You can also contact advisors through our net line http://www.gamcare.org.uk/netline .

As you say ‘’going it alone is never going to help’’. Keep posting on your diary slangley12 and we are here to support you.

Day 10

Been a strong few days, now coming up to day 10. Wasn't too much on this weekend, work has been busy but the weekend was good in terms of no gambling. Came close to normal patterns of football betting on the weekend but stayed strong. Haven't got much money at the moment so harder to do it, yet worried about payday time and when I completely run out of money as don't want to turn to gambling to try and make money.

Need to also update this diary more but struggling to due to work constraints. However, day 10 and still going strong, and for today I will not gamble

Well done on 10 days Stangley,

Keep taking one day at a time, and remember gambling does not give us more money, even if we win,a bit, because we cannot win because we cannot stop, once we start,

The only way to win is not to play.

Keep strong and keep safe

Suzanne xxx

Thank you Suzanne

Day 11

I can't help but keep thinking ahead to payday, it's going to be so much needed however scarer s**t less at the same time that it may be the start of it all over again

I need to feel what you said Suzanne about the only winning is not spending money, and I am sure to feel that if I can navigate myself through just one month without gambling, then I'll be able to see the benefit in my account and that should spur me on

In 5 years of doing having this problem, I have never got through a month with any money left in my bank, which should be enough motivation and determination to show me that this gambling is actually getting me nowhere, no profit and in fact just in a lot more trouble

Just about to start work so for another day, I will not gamble

Thanks

Day 12

I feel that as this number gets higher, the idea of gambling is going to get further and further away, and harder and harder to break that number!

There is definitely something about looking at that number each and every day and, although still small, seeing it grow can really boost confidence in overcoming this problem

It's weird because, it's been 12 days not gambling now and that's pretty much been because of lack of money, however, I've still managed to turn away from bookies when I've been in town with the odd tenner in the wallet, so why does it become so difficult when I do have money in the bank

Shout out to everyone else on this forum, keep strong and we will get through it, I believe it can be done

For today, I will not gamble

Thanks

Hiya I'm paul, your pretty much like myself at this point were not much money to gamble and I feel I'm cracking it but once my loss is forgotten about and I'm flush again the hard work really does start, I hope u carry on with your positive recovery we can't give in to them even if we do win and win as we all no you can wo
In 1000s then in a hour lose it all and more, no more gambleing

Day 13

Thanks paul, I know what you mean mate the hard work will really start when the money is in the bank! But I genuinely do reckon if we can make one month without gambling and actually save up it'll show so much at the end of the month it'll feel like a win in itself

And will probably be the biggest win of them all

I just hope we get to a point where everyday doesn't feel like it's a grind

The worst feeling is having to count every penny, especially when you are with the girl you love and want to treat, yet cannot treat them and have to be tight because you know you have little money in the bank! I can't wait until I can go out for a meal with her and not be tight with it whatsoever as I've got the money saved in the bank

Plus, we all work bloody hard Monday to Friday, and more, that hard earned money after the stress we put ourselves through shouldn't end up be handed to a bookie because that is what we are effectively doing, just handing the money over

Next time we are at a cashpoint about to withdraw 100 quid, would anyone just take that 100 and through it on the floor and walk away? Highly doubt it! Yet we would happily take it and put it all in a machine to lose it for some cheap 5 minute thrill

Let's keep our mindset strong and for today and the rest of the weekend, I/we will not gamble

Thanks