Open letter

Whatever I endure in recovery, I have found through daily abstinence I need never again suffer the indignity of active addiction, the inexhaustible cycle of despair and hopelessness. Through gratitude i am reminded of how far I have come and that with help and humility I can one day at a time live free from addiction.

One day at a time.

John

Great post John, my sentiments exactly..... keep traveling 'onwards and upwards'...Ginger.

A freezing cold Monday here. Snow on the mountains.

warmer weather due from Thursday so I can get started on my vegetable garden again which was a great help to me last year in the early days and weeks of recovery.

I am happy in recovery now, I have no desire to gamble thankfully.

It crosses my mind occasionally, sometimes on a Saturday. When I get an urge I talk to the gambling gremlin, it argues it's case for gambling, I argue mine for abstinence and we go our seperate are ways.

I do not want to waste another second of my life fretting the outcome of a bet. I've been there too often.

i used to worry about how I would 'never' have another bet. Now I'm comfortable with one day at a time. Comfortable but not complacent.

my recovery is the most important part of my life. It's that serious.

have a good week everyone.

My name is john and I'm a compulsive gambler in recovery since 02/04/14

Glad all going well John, yeah we had a cold snap a while back with some snow. Hope spring is coming soon but its really miserable today , wet cold and windy!

We all get thoughts re gambling but it s how we deal with these thoughts and process them that counts,

Keep strong.

Hope all is well mate?

Hi gav,

its very kind of you to think of me.

I seldom get a chance to read or post due to crappy internet access and being very busy.

My life is going very well for me now and I'm so grateful to so many people. I comfortable in the knowledge that gambling beat me. I accept defeat and do not want a rematch. One day at a time I say no to that rematch and that daily act has transformed my life.

Thank you all

One day at a time.

in recovery since 02/04/14

john

Hi John, I too was beaten by gambling & am choosing 'no' ODAAT! I am armed & ready if Mr Gamble tries anything...Thank-you for forewarning me!

Just checking in to congratulate you on your ongoing war with the gambling gremlin & wondering if you ever got your job situation sorted - bit late I know but I was hoping you'd post it!

I'm very excited by your day count & wondering if you are being a little easier on yourself nowadays & maybe have a little treat in store?

Keep choosing recovery - ODAAT

Hi ODAAT,

Currently have occasional part time work but getting by pretty good. Money is very very tight so no treat planned,but I've got my peace of mind and I can look myself in the mirror nowadays after some very dark times.

I can't afford to lose that.

Best wishes on your own journey and well done for supporting so many people on here.

Best wishes,

john

Hi John, thanks for your post and keep strong.

That's great news but I'm still hoping that dream job is right around the corner 🙂

Treats don't always have to be about the money! If you were a girl I'd suggest a long hot soak in some bubbles (not the champagne type) which can be magicked up with any old shower gel & a bit of sloshing whilst it's running but I'm not sure boys like that sort of thing?

What about a lie in or a long walk, a visit to a library to take out a good book, borrow a film off of a friend, an extra roast potato when you eat? We get so wrapped up in money as CG's we forget that life is free!

Peace of mind is priceless & it's stored within so there's no way to lose it, it has to be given away & recovery will not allow you to do that!

Look after you - ODAAT

You're right ODAAT,

treats are not all about the money.

I have a long walk each day and I have breakfast every morning and a hot dinner every evening with my daughter. Then we will read together and it makes me feel warm inside.

Thats treat enough for me as there was a time when I thought the best thing I could do for her would be to end it all.

The gambling took priority over everything and to my shame, everyone.

Im still making amends for the things I've done and have lost many good friendships due to gambling and the choices I made in the pursuit of it.

I know how blessed I am to still have her in my life. I won't risk it.

Wishing you well ODAAT.

John. In recovery since 02/04/2014

Wise words John , keep strong

Massive congratulations for your 1st clean year John 🙂

Take pleasure in the little things that without the destruction gambling caused would mean so little but to us in recovery are way more important than our next bet!

Onwards & upwards with the rest of your life - ODAAT

Want to second that a big massive congratulations John one year WOW I am nearly there and I know how much determination, dedication and strength it takes to reach this, MASSIVE BIG HIGH 5 to you,

You are an inspiration to us all on this journey.

Suzanne xxx

Thank you gav, ODAAT and Suzanne.

365days without a single penny waged on gambling.

Abstinence has improved my life immeasurably.

Recovery is my gift to myself and my family. I believe in it wholeheartedly.

I am emotional writing this post not because I think I've 'arrived' or been 'cured' but because I am really happy to know that I have found a 'way' of living that leaves me at peace within.

The gambling and the life it brought me was horrendous. I felt what you all have felt at some point, despair.

A year ago I stumbled across this site and words leapt off the screen into my consciousness. The stories you guys had posted shocked me enough to make me 'wake up'. Snap out of the daze.

I was on the verge, a mess. Whacked off my head on gambling and finding ways to feed the gremlin. I was contemplating killing myself. I was so low.

As the days went by I read and read. I got really into duncanmacs diary and I cannot say how much that mans collection of thoughts and beliefs helped my recovery early on and continue to. They truly saved me and I will be eternally grateful 😉

Many many others on here have unknowingly helped me along this perennial journey, gav123, Suzanne, trigger, suzylemon, milkman, rst ex cg, S.A, Sandra, ODAAT, bear, triangle and dozens and dozens of others. I am grateful to you all and this community here is something special, something beyond words.

I don't post very regular but am pleased to mark 1 year by thanking the people on here who have helped me to choose a better way.

Recovery really does reward us in unimaginable ways, a really close old friend got in touch today, someone I abandoned in favour of gambling. it made me so happy that he got in touch out of the blue. I've been totally honest with him and we will meet up next week for a pint.

Really enjoying the simplicity of life at the minute. No serious gambling thoughts, blocks in place as always.

Tomorrow I will wake up armed with the knowledge that recovery is there for me to enjoy.

All I have to do is 'not gamble', be honest and accept life.

Thank u all again.

My name is john and I'm a compulsive gambler in recovery since 02/04/2014 x