Re-building My Life

Hi Tomso,

Absolutely chuffed for you. What a amazing transformation from the last year. Keep making the right choice - keep winning! You're worth it

Sandra

Hi Guys,

Not been on in a while but I wanted to post tonight as today is a special day for me because today I have reached the milestone of one year without gambling.

Most people active on the site will not know me but I used to be active on this site almost every day. I have had more than one diary and failed countless times for a few years. Last year I finally went to G.A. to seek help and I got more than I had bargained for. The level of support, knowledge and understanding was incredible and put me on the path I had longed for.

Gambling is not in my life today and I enjoy many, many benefits due to this. Financial benefits is what I used to dream of a year ago and although they are great all the other benefits are every bit as important. Not going to bed worrying about money lost or lies about my whereabouts or actions. These cannot be taken for granted.

I imagine giving up gambling is much like a smoker giving up smoking - it is hard at first but gets easier with time. With each your body and mind needs time to adapt to change. As we practise change things get easier and eventually we have a new life.

I will always be very, very respecful of gambling and what it can do to me. I can never gamble in a controlled manner because it is not in my DNA to be able to do that. That is fine. There is plenty of activities I can do which only provide enjoyment and well being. Gambling did not. It nearly destroyed me and everything I have. I shudder to think where I would be today if I was still living a life out of control playiing roulette on a daily basis.

I truly hope that everyone finds their way.

Tomso.

Congrats Tomso, well done mate.

D123

Massive congratulations Tomso on reaching one year gamble free.

Suzanne xx

Hi Tomso

I remember you!! I don't think we interacted much if at all, but I remember you being a fairly prolific poster who would be very positive for sustained periods and then have the ocassional crash. You're clearly another amazing advert for GA. I've stopped for 2.5 years having not done GA. However, there's no doubting what an incredibly positive experience GA is for so many people.
Best wishes for the future

Well done Tomso on 1 year gamble free. I have yet to see the GA program fail anybody who commits to it.

Dan

Tomso

Fella I am so very glad and honoured that you have taken the time to share your news.

The 3% club as it's known in my ga room.

Well I live in hope that the number will grow.

Because for me it's without doubt a gift

Glad you are taking yours fella.

Abstain and maintain

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Hi Tomso,

As well as my huge congratulations on your awesome milestone, our friend Shiny wanted to add something else (she cannot log in on the site so asked me to pass this on for you)

"Yo,
Well well well my dear dear friend . Look at that , a testament to your tenacity and living proof that spread sheets work lol
Not had the best of days but your post lifted my spirits so thank you for posting .
Really hoping alls well and healthy with you and yours . Be proud my friend , because only the people who walk in your shoes know what an amazing feat it is, and just how much strength it takes to get a year under your belt . High five !!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Long may it continue
Shiny xxxxxxx
& Sandra (tagging along :-)) xx

Just happened to come on the forum and take a look. Not been on in a while and was really just looking out for old faces.

I am a few weeks shy of being two years gamble free which is quite amazing which I rarely remind myself of. I have been reading through my diary and it reminds me of the total chaos I used to live in.

I rarely think about gambling at all now and I am very lucky to be in that place. I needed help that was for sure and only when I was ready to receive it was I able to move forward. Of course, I wished I knew this far sooner.

I stopped going to GA well over a year ago. It wasn't a rash decision I just knew by that time that I didnt need to go anymore. Gambling no longer holds any power over me.

I wish everyone peace and happiness.

Spontaneously decided to visit the site tonight for the first time in many months. I always go to my last post but tonight I accidentally started at the beginning. Reading that first post sent a shiver down my spine. I was a poor soul back then. Completely lost in a spiral of gambling and deceit, stress, worry and fear. It's been two years and three months since my last bet but it seems like a lifetime ago. The daily drama I used to exist in seems so far away. But it could all return with one spin of a wheel. I realise that and use it to protect me always.

I have lost touch with the members I used to follow and who used to follow me. I am forever grateful for the time spent by others in supporting me whether it be a helpful nudge or a kick up the backside.

For anyone out there struggling with life and addiction, never give up on yourself. You will find the way.

P.S. Several years ago I deleted two diaries with loads of posts. I regret this. When I relapsed I would start over thinking a fresh start needed a fresh diary. A new diary didn't change anything. A new mindset and education in terms of G.A changed everything.

Good luck to each and everyone of you who comes on here relentlessly seeking to change your lives.

Tomso.

Spontaneously decided to visit the site tonight for the first time in many months. I always go to my last post but tonight I accidentally started at the beginning. Reading that first post sent a shiver down my spine. I was a poor soul back then. Completely lost in a spiral of gambling and deceit, stress, worry and fear. It's been two years and three months since my last bet but it seems like a lifetime ago. The daily drama I used to exist in seems so far away. But it could all return with one spin of a wheel. I realise that and use it to protect me always.

I have lost touch with the members I used to follow and who used to follow me. I am forever grateful for the time spent by others in supporting me whether it be a helpful nudge or a kick up the backside.

For anyone out there struggling with life and addiction, never give up on yourself. You will find the way.

P.S. Several years ago I deleted two diaries with loads of posts. I regret this. When I relapsed I would start over thinking a fresh start needed a fresh diary. A new diary didn't change anything. A new mindset and education in terms of G.A changed everything.

Good luck to each and everyone of you who comes on here relentlessly seeking to change your lives.

Tomso.

Tomso

Fella simply thanks for sharing, we walked a long way together through some dark times and some enlightening ones.

Great to read.

I salute you

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks for popping back a new diary for me to read on my way to work. Congratulations I'm looking forward to have a good read.

KTF

Hi Tomso ☺

Just wanted to drop by with my congratulations on your achievements...also...even if Shiny is not reading on here (as far as I'm aware) i am 100% sure that she would be jumping up & down seeing this post!

Huge well done and thank you for your share..i guess you just achieved the hardest bit - become stronger than addiction in this battle. The power of our own heads huh

Stay safe - keep enjoying life!

S x

Just a quick post. I am now well over 3 years without gambling in my life. Remarkable how time passes. Not going to post a massive story tonight. Life is better without gambling because life becomes normal again. I hope that makes sense. When gambling, everyone and everything comes second to the addiction. Now life is normal. I enjoy those close to me and fill my life full of the things I enjoy - football, golf, running, reading, travelling, experiencing new things, going out for dinner etc. I have the money to Perdue these pleasures and the time Perdue them. Just over three years I had no money - worse negative money and if the act of gambling didn't Persue every minute of my time the thought of gambling and the fear of gambling certainly did.

Tomso.