Regaining control after slip

Day 3 - no urges today, took kids the park this morning and didnt feel any urge to gamble - thought about it this afternoon, but actually thought more about not breaking it - heres to day 4 - all the best

Not feeling quite as upbeat today for some reason, lot of trouble still at home (understandably). Feeling bad for letting down the most important person in my life and for all the trouble she has had to put up with. So so determined today, but can only think of the trouble i've caused and a need to put it right. The positive is that I know gambling will only make matters worse and I will not gamble today.

Take Care Blues

hey blues just spent gtime reading your diary. You have taken more major steps to prove to your family that you can beat this evil addiction. The more days you go without surcomming to temptation the prouder your family will be. keep strong mate, days will have lows as you know, as you have battled with this for as long as i have!!! at the end when you are free the light of life is waiting for you to ***!!!

have a super gamble free week!!!

Well DAY 5 today and feeling a lot more upbeat than yesterday. Played football last night and really enjoyed blowing those cobwebs away. Normally would have 'stopped off' for half and hour on my way home, but pointed the car in the right direction and felt an almighty sense of achievement as I walked through the door that only Compulsive Gamblers will know. Another bet free day, ate my dinner at peace with myself and today is going to be a good day. I have my GA handbook with me today and have had a good read through it this morning and will continue to do so today. I want to make a note on my diary at how good I feel today, knowing that I'm on day 5 of my recovery, its going to be a long road but one thing I have promised myself is that yes I made mistakes in the past but the only way I can move forward is to stop punishing myself. Oh, and personally I performed very well at footy last night ha

All the best

Blues

Hi Blues,

Hope your ok mate, thanks for your advice yesterday, just read your diary.

it must of been really difficult last 2 weeks for you because of things happening at home but i can clearly see that you want to change and going on right way doing so, well done on 5 days no gambling.

Playing football and sports will help you, i missed the gym last 2 days and thinking of going tommorow.

I will be closely following your recovery.

Take care mate.

Well yesterday passed with more gambling thoughts than urges to actually gamble (thoughts of ways to stop me gambling). Can't believe nearly a week has passed and the feeling of agitation is still there, mind still seems to race every now and then, but I'm happy that for today I WILL NOT GAMBLE, hopefully playing football again this evening so another day will pass and I will make the milestone of one week tomorrow (GA meeting tomorrow evening)

Take Care all

Blues

Blues,

How are you mate? hope all is well, i know what you mean, the mind is a funny thing, its really hard not to dwell on anything but think tommorow it will be one week , thats a great achievement.

Playing football again, thats really good, im envy of you, i wish my lazy friends organised football on some evenings.

Take care mate, all the best

Hi Folks, did not gamble yesterday and had very very mild urges (mildest yet in fact, but not getting complacent). My wife told me last night she loves me, nearly broke my bloody heart and that she's willing to give me one last chance, let me tell you I am so happy I could explode. She doesnt deserve the emotional / financial stuff i've put her through, yet she stuck by me. This time its for real, Gambling has me beat, so the only way is to stop forever. At 534 pm today, it will be exactly one week since I placed my final bet, and I am looking forward to sharing this at GA this evening.

Take Care

Blues

Blues,

Congratulations mate, 1 week soon, but even bigger congratulations about your wife.

It must of been very emotional and special when your wife told you about her feelings, dont forget she stuck by you all this time and when you do have little urges, think of her and how good she has been for sticking by you.

Im very happy for you pal, good luck

Hi,

Went to GA last night and was good to hear more stories, especially off the people that had abstained for 7 or 8 years, then an event in life gave them the excuse to go back gambling. It shows me that we are never rid of this, as the results for these people seem to be worse, financially, each time (a bigger fall)

Didnt have a bet yesterday, but woke up this morning, with strange thoughts, wondering whether I can keep up GA for the rest of my life like those folks. Don't know why i'm thinking that as i've only been 2 sessions (dont like to call them meetings). This is maybe the 'hangover' period that I have heard mentioned, but surely I cant be getting complacent after 1 week with no bet?

I'm fighting my mind at the minute, but have sufficient blocks in place (no funds, which suits me fine). I will not gamble today, and to be honest, I think today is going to be the toughest of the journey so far. I'm playing football later and will put 100% effort in, and reap the rewards (hopefully). I WILL NOT GAMBLE TODAY

Blues

Blues,

How are you mate, i see your keeping up with the football, good on you mate, i bet you feel really positive after footie.

Its scary knowing that people have given up for 7 or 8 years and went back, it shows that our guard must never be down.

I know you will get tempted but lets all remember the good days we all stayed off it.

Good luck mate

Thanks responding on my diary blues, many congratulations wth your wife, must have given you a great boost. just a thought there is a site on here for supporting gamblers maybe you could show your wife and she could post her own thoughts. your doing really good well done

Just finished football, didnt play particularly well, but put the effort in I suppose. Feeling a lot loss agitated now and looking forward to the weekend, really believe that exercise is also a key tool we should use,

Take Care

Blues

Well, another successful weekend fighting the demons. Was busy painting the house on Saturday, and no gambling urges at all, which was a pleasent change as Saturday used to be 'my' day. Spent yesterday playing with my kids, cleaning around the house etc and was a lovely day, had thoughts about gambling but no urges. Strange thing happened last night, had a dream (and was vivid) of me walking into a bookies and placing a bet, and being completely disgusted by it. Woke up this morning, glad that it was only a dream, and it's made me doubly determined to fight this, but just shows that its still very much in my sub-concious thoughts.

My last bet was 534pm Thursday 19th August 2010. Looking forward to Wednesday, when I can say my last bet was last month! I'm on day 11 now and today, I WILL NOT GAMBLE

Take Care

Blues

Take Care Blues

Hey blues,

great last post and I have just spent time tracking your whole recovery over the first month. Your strength and determination to succeed really shines through and your journey is similar to my own.

I too have had dreams after quitting, but the ones i have are drenched in letting myself and others down. This must be the fear within us.

Anyway continued strength to your first month and the future months that follow!!

Your support to others has also been invaluable and your ethic is one that we all share.

Have a wonderful week ahead and continue to get busy living!!!