Prisoner to gambling

Day 35

Thanks again for the post Shaun, excellent news that it is on all games on FOBTs, that will definitely put a lot of people off especially those who bet big on roulette.

Still battling with the odd urge but still handling with them quite well. I have money in my account for the first time in a long while. Keep meaning to buy myself something small just as a little reward but I’m so tight with money I always talk myself out of it!

Onwards and upwards

James

Hi James

Nice to see you are still gamble free, well done. Over the weekend I have spent two hundred pounds on Beats Headphones as way of a treat for not gambling.

Go on, spoil yourself, you deserve it.

Shaun

Day 40

Thanks again Shaun for the post, still not bought myself anything but I will this week. Looking at getting a Fitbit.

Nothing new to report thankfully, no major urges just the odd thought of nipping to the bookies but quickly talked myself out of it.

Feeling like I don’t want to gamble anymore which is really helping, things have got so much better since I stopped that I just don’t want to mess it up.

Going to Budapest in 2 weeks for a City break and cannot wait as this will hopefully be the 50 days GF stage and so can celebrate over there.

Onwards and upwards

James

Hi James

Well done in staying gamble free, nice to read you are going away, just think, by not gambling it probably hasn't cost you anything, or another way of looking at it is the bookies have paid for that holiday.

Shaun

Day 46

Thanks Shaun, yeah that is a good way of looking at it. I can just afford to go with little spending money but hate to think what I would have done if I didn't stop when I did.

Still getting urges to gamble but they are becoming less frequent but still need to stay on my guard. I'm still fascinated by gambling and still finding myself watching online slots on Youtube. I need to get out of this habbit. I worry that it could make me want to gamble again.

Life is so much better without gambling, in so many different way. I won't see the financial benefit for a while but I am already seeing that I am being a better person and have more time for my loved ones. Long may this continue.

I went for a meal with the Mrs last week and walked past a fruit machine on my way to the toilet. I had change in my pocket and I had enough time to gamble without her finding out. I saw it from a distance and it took me by surprise that I was actually considering it. I had a good think whilst in the toilet and mustered up the strength to walk past and sat back down with the wife. It felt so good to do this and for the first time in a while I felt in control. Just proved that at any point a quick opportunity to gamble could take me down.
Onwards and upwards

James

Hi James

Well done in fighting that temptation, it will make you stronger, I promise.

One word of caution though my friend, the last relapse I had was due to me watching YouTube videos of people playing the bookies roulette machines. I would watch so many, all of them winning, I couldn't resist.

Take care, I know you won't cave into those videos.

Shaun

Day 51

Thanks again Shain, you're right, they mainly put up their winning videos which makes you think its easy. I sometimes wish they lose as if to prove to me that that's what happens when you gamble, redicolous as I've gambled for 10plus years and never profitted from gambling!

Been really busy recently so not had any urges that I can recall, as time is passing, they are getting less and less which is good. I'm not in a great place financially but much better than when I was gambling. If I can not gamble this year, I hope to clear a lot of my debt by Christmas.

Onwards and upwards, chuffed to get over the half century mark!

thanks for reading

James

Hi James

The thing about those guys posting the YouTube videos is that they only sing when they are winning (a typical gambler) . Your financial position I am sure you would agree will be a lot worse if you started gambling. Keep up the good work and the gamble free days will rack up, wow! Almost debt free by Xmas, now that is an incentive.

Shaun

Day 52 today mate, you are doing it, changing your life. Good lad

Wilsy

Hi James

Hope all is good and rosey, well over 50 days now, well done mate.

Shaun

Day 67

Thanks Shaun and Wilsy, really appreciate the support. Still gamble free, not posted for a while as I've been busy with work and been away on a City Break with the wife. This was only possible as I have remained gamble free so was nice to see the fruits of my labour for once!

Having the occasion urge now, most of the time I just ignore them now as they aren't as strong but I can feel myself getting more complacent. For example, going in to town with money. I'm pleased to say I haven't gambled when I have had the opportunity but don't think I should be putting myself in a position where it is even possible to gamble, but this is hard to do all the time. Just need to stay on my guard.

Nothing else to report, thanks for reading

James

Day 67 is fantastic mate, great achiement. You post when you can buddy at least you are busy and keeping your pennies in your pocket.

Yes keep on guard and keep those urges at bay

Wilsy

Hi James

Nice to see you are doing ok, I know what you mean, sometimes whilst going into town you have to have money on you as not everywhere accepts cards. Yes, I have reached the half century milestone, not making too much of a song and dance as I have been here before.

Hope you enjoyed your break and to think, not gambling paid for that holiday!

Shaun

Day 83

Thanks again for your ongoing support Wilsy and Shaun. Still going strong and still enjoying life away from gambling. The urges are getting less and less and when I do think about gambling, I don't really feel that tempted anymore. I know this can and probably will change but compared to when I first stopped it is becoming a lot easier. In the early days I was thinking about gambling all the time. This has been my downfall in the past, being complacement but I think I am better placed to recognise it. I see why recovery is a journey, each time we fall we need to dust ourselves down and get back on the wagon. Learn from what went wrong the time before and change it. I used to be embarassed to come back on here after a relapse but like a lot of people say, it is part of the recovery process.

Thanks for reading, keep up the fight everyone

James

Hi James

Nice to see you are doing well, keep it up, the 100 is not far away.

Shaun