Open letter

Good evening diary,

well I just noticed that it's over 300 days since I began this journey.

One day at a time works for me.

I've read the talk on here about the lottery. My gremlin would love me to play the lotto. Then he'd convince me to maybe buy a scratch card too. Then maybe just deposit 20 online... That's how it's gone for me in the past so why risk it again.

Like a wise man said, " the odds will never be enough to risk what I would be staking"

thats solid advice.

A weekend off lays ahead.

tomorrow we take to the streets here again to peacefully protest and tell our government that we will not stand for being charged twice for sub standard water.

The right2water movement is working and it's exciting and empowering to be part of a group with a common goal......

.....just like we are on this forum.

Best wishes to all on this journey.

You reap what you sow.

My name is john, I'm addicted to gambling but I sowed the seed of recovery on 02/04/2014 and I'm reaping the rewards.

John

Fella great to see you are making the right choices, choices that will only have a positive impact on the folk you hold dear.

You like me have made a choice of total abstinence, because for us that is the only way we can move forward in our lives.

Addiction used to taunt me, tell me I was missing out on something, denying myself for no good reason.

I know it's actually the polar opposite, by denying myself that next punt I can only profit.

The gifts I receive are priceless, you won't find them in a bookies, you cannot buy them.

Keep making the right choice for you and yours.

Abstain and maintain

I hope your peaceful protest has a positive impact.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Hi northwestofIrelandJohn,

Thanks so much for your post on my diary, wise words from yourself about the situation I would be in if I carried on the way I was, I'm now being realistic and not trying to run before I can walk in my financial recovery, as you say fella we reap what we sow.

you're kicking on nicely John, over 300 day's congrats with that mate, all the best on the job hunt, stay positive as ever.....regards Ginger....Onwards and upwards.

Over 300 days is great John, I hope the protest went ok? Im lucky enough to not pay anything for water, but my rates keep going up annually. Keep strong !

Thanks for the support guys,

I've noticed for me that gambling addiction and recovery have one thing in common. They are both progressive.

My gambling started off small and progressed into a pervasive, all consuming way of life and turned me into someone I did not want to be.

my recovery also started off small, with only a personal desire and has progressed into a way of life that is turning me into The person I want to be.

It's there for everyone who WANTS it.

Best wishes,

my name is john.

I'm a compulsive gambler who's in recovery since 02/04/2014

Hi Johnireland

what a great sentiment, I'm following you all the way fella...onwards and upwards....Ginger.

Hi John,

Lovely inspiring last post, can relate to every word,

Suzanne xx

Hello diary.

I read a few new members posts lately and the desperation in their posts had me in tears.

I feel for every one of them and offered my advice to some. They are here for the very same reasons I came here 310 days ago. An addiction has taken over our lives and we have to change our behaviour and choices in order to change our reality.

I read that Darwin said "it is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change"

I know I would not have survived if I did not make a choice to change my ways last April.

I'm happy and grateful to be in a position where instead of my addiction controlling me and shaping me life, I now manage my addiction from the safe zone of recovery.

Its not easy but it's a world away from the misery and desperation I felt when I came here for the first time.

Through making right choices my life is unrecognisable from what it was.

I feel very grateful today and wanted to write my feelings down so if/when a time comes when I'm not so positive I can look back on this and remind myself that this abstinence from gambling and making decisions based on my morals has turned my life around.

I wish everyone who is going through the tough times/urges the strength to persist with this road.

Im only a rookie as far as recovery goes but I am amazed how it rewards the effort.

Amazed and grateful.

My name is john and I'm a compulsive gambler managing my addiction one day at a time since 02/04/2014

like how you describe your gambling gremlin

i have a feral CAT that keeps pushing and pushing me

never really goes away but recovery helps

well done and keep going but don't get complacent

tri

Thanks triangle,

Thanks for the words and i take what you've said about complacency right on the chin.

I know I'm only relatively new to recovery, always wary of slips but all barriers are in place and this place and people like you help strengthen my determination every time I log on.

One day at a time works for me.

Best wishes john

Excellent words John, I also agree with the day at a time philosopy , we cant get ahead of ourselves.

Life is so much better and simpler when we dont gamble, i liked what you posted about the progression of the addiction and recovery! so very true!

Keep strong friend.

Hope all good with yourself sir?

Hi gav, thanks for the shout. Yes everything is going good. Low level urges sometimes pop into my mind. I manage to deal with them easily.

My blockers are solid. I have software on my laptop and phone and where I live there is no bookies, I would have to travel a long way (live in the wild) so when I do have an urge it passes quickly.

Enjoying my life again.

How are you doing yourself?

I hope you are seeing the results of abstinence.

My name is john, in recovery since 02/04/14

Good news. Yes apart from a nasty chest infection im doing grand thanks, the days are stacking up and I can certainly see the

benefits of NOT gambling! So much simpler and saner life!

Hi John, just dropping by to congratulate you on your ongoing journey & say thank you for your support! I plan to take a break for a while & don't want people thinking I'm abandoning them!

Keep up the great work - ODAAT