OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW

Hi Carl

Welcome to the forum you have definitely come to the right place to start your recovery and well done for starting a diary.

Thanks for the mention although I wouldn't call myself a success just yet things are definitely going in the right direction.

I hope we both stick around and can help each other out as we're both in the same business we can relate to some of each other's problems eg always have cash etc.

Good luck

Dave

Hi Dave

To be honest your diary was the first one which caught my eye as we are in the same buisness, When I was reading through it struck me that I am in a similar boat to yourself.

Thanks for the reply mate it means a lot, and yes you can count on me sticking around I will be here for you if you ever need to talk.

Thanks again mate

Thanks mate glad we're in for the long haul and yea likewise as soon as I clocked username as it really does help to have people in more or less the same situation.

After a decent December jobs are a lot harder to come by this time of year so we need to keep all tht hard earned cash away from the bookies at one stage I was pretty much working for nothing as I was throwing the takings away before I even got home and it had to stop the best thing I've ever done in my life is to find this site and begin recovery.

Don't know what to suggest regarding been honest with your gf as it can bring about trust issues as I have come across recently but I do think it's made me more determined and maybe I would of cracked in the early days had she not of known the full extent.

Hi Carl

Welcome aboard, and thanks for the comment about my diary.

I don't think we realise until we come on here and read other stories, that we are definitely not alone in this horrible addiction,

And that we all share similar familiarities, even in recovery, we recognise each other's symptoms/ emotions and feelings.

None of us can ever win because we cannot stop, Infact the more we win, the more we lose, gambling really is a total waste of our time, health,lives and money.

You have mentioned HOPE that is a great positive to have on day one,

We use a triangle on here time, money and location, if you take one of these away, it's impossible to play, it is a very good tool to have in our minds.

I wish you the very best on your recovery, just take one day at a time, and keep posting, it also helps, remember you are not on your own, we are all here for ne reason, to abstain,maintain and therefore win.

Best wishes,

Suzanne x

Hi Taxi driver, just read your other post & was gonna suggest you 'hook up' with Taxi man who is managing to deal with the constant flow of cash in your line of work - Chuffed to see its already in hand & that I Wished has already posted! Welcome to recovery mate!

Well done on all the work so far & don't worry about being addicted to this site, it's a harmless time filler where you are actually doing good rather than reaping destruction on yourself! If you get a chance & you haven't already seen it, Mr Brightside's exit post on the 2014 challenge is well worth a read!

Keep strong & your days will start clocking up - ODAAT

Thankyou everybody, I can't tell you how excited I am about the hope this site has already given me for the future, I have been out all night working in my cab, and alls that has been on my mind is coming home and checking to see if anybody has replied to my messages... It feels like relief that I can share my thoughts and stresses with people who are in the same boat as me - I have never had this....

Yeh Dave work really does take a plunge in January, I was really lucky tonight as I got an airport run which saved me!!

Suzanne you really do seem like a very strong positive caring woman... The help I have seen your posts give to people on this site is amazing, and I haven't even been through 1/5 of the forum yet!!!

Odaat thanks for having me in mind I really appreciate your thoughtfulness mate... Thanks for the post and will be getting into bed in 10 minutes were I will read Mr bright sides post!

Thanks again everybody

Day 2 just getting ready to go and see my counsellor, to much to do in a short space of time to even think about gambling.... So maybe triangle is taking effect! I read Mr bright sides post last night, very interesting and hopefull post.

Thanks for reading and I wish everybody a happy gamble free day!!!

Never question the power of the Triangle 😉

Isn't it a lovely feeling to be able to focus on something other than gambling...I found an American site & now this one to turn my attention to! I credit my recovery to both but being able to post here is so incredibly rewarding! There is always someone listening to your thoughts & feelings so keep writing them down, even if you don't always get a response! It's therapeutic to look back @ how far you've come as you get further along in recovery!

Hope the counselling goes well & you are given more useful techniques to fight the urges when they come - ODAAT

Well done on day 2 mate the best thing is keeping yourself busy.

nice one landing the airport job always helps only really do nights at the weekend then days during the week.

Hope the counselling went well and you have good day/nite.

Thanks odaat.... Just got back from counselling, really good session under my belt there, got a few things off my chest and a plan of action for the week ahead before I go back again...

My relationship is on hold and has been for about a month now, we speak maybe once a day to make sure we are both ok.... Wish I had it in me to tell her the truth but I know it will be more trouble than it is worth, and will fight this in my own way and return a better person for it, last night I asked her if she would like to go out on Sunday for a meal and to the pictures, to spend some time together, she will let me know in the next couple of days, I hope one day we can sort this mess out that I have created, gambling has ruined everything my relationship, plans, youth, and even my family relationship to an extent... Oh well ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!

Think I will chill for the rest of the day before another long shift in work tonight....

Thanks Dave hope you are enjoying your day pal!

Mate, gambling may have been detrimental in your past but recovery is yours for the future! Work hard - ODAAT

Day 3

Just woke up and have been sitting up in bed reflecting on the last couple of days, I have had no real urge to gamble and have been keeping myself busy. The site and the messages of support have really helped keep my mind focused....

While I was out working last night some familiar thoughts popped into my head, and ones where even though it was not an urge to gamble, they made my anxiety start to bubble up again..... It was a thought I always tend to get when I start trying to stop gambling, its like I think of a group of scenarios in which I want to do when I feel like I might have my life back on track - the problem is most of them have gambling involved.... Things like going round my grandads on a Friday afternoon when I'm off work and being able to put a few bets on with him and enjoy the day's racing... Also fantising about going to a big race meeting in which I normally go every year with my family and girl... Things like that pop into my head all the time, it's like I'm creating my perfect world.

I thought I should share this to see if anybody else understands what my thoughts are....

Didn't speak to the missus yesterday hopefully she will phone me today, didn't really speak with anybody I know yesterday... Just been keeping myself to myself!!

Hope you all have a gamble free day!!

Thanks for reading

Hey Carl

Well done on day 3 and I've gotta say a day at the races is always something I've fancied and was eyeing it up for my stag do when I finally get round to proposing maybe this year as we've been together a few years now and I know I've got the right one but that can never happen now would definitely not trust myself in that environment which is a shame. On the night shift myself tonight got a hopeful target in my head hopefully the awful weather will help and not hinder.

Hope your girls called you and you can sort your relationship out cos that will deffo aid your recovery.

Hope you have a good night mate