SadG wants to be happyG

Hey G,

Just wanted to congradulate you on your 100 days gamble free. That's really awesome, I'am looking forward to that mark.

Same thing happened to me a week ago, I never used a players card when I gambled, so I never got any mail from the casino, of any sort for 2 plus years. Not one piece, now that I'am sober and not going there anymore, I recieved one piece of mail from them. I was really mad when I got that out of the mail box, ripped it up and threw in the garbage. Pondering on it for a few days and mentioning it in my group therapy class, I realized how far I had come. If I was still stuck in the madness of playing the slots like I use to be, I would've ran back down there. Not the case now. I haven't got anything else since that piece of mail sent to me from the casino either. I guess there will be many temptations in our recovery process, however they may come to us, that we will be faced with, but the further we get along and kick those temptations to the moon the stronger we get in our soberity. Stay strong!

Chicagoguy

Sad g, a massive well done on the 100 day mark, what a turn around my friend, how our lives have changed for the better, I can honestly say I'm the old me again, so over gambling, gambling has no room in our lives, I bought a Yamaha f310 acoustic guitar too, so just trying to learn the cords at the minute, something' I've always wanted to do and can now finally do it as I've got a bit of spare time, your the only reason I still come to this site to check up on my friend to see how your progressing is fantastic, never look back, one again a massive congratulations mate, all the best

Simmo

Hi sadg, seems we are having wobbles same time almost. Really well done for seeing the danger and switching off, proud of you fella. Dark place

Sadg, I feel humbled by your last post on my diary. I can only say it will inspire me to reach 200 days. Thank you so much, dark place

Hi G,

Not seen you post for a while ? hope all ok, i know you had a wobbles last thursday. Should i be worried for you ? or maybe you have just been really busy. Hope to see you posting again soon.

By the way, well done for beating arsenal ! i feel a bit happier after taking care opf stoke. Onwards and upwards for the hammers. Dark Place

G,

Haven't seen you post in a while - hope all is going well your end. Congrats on Sunday's win in the derby as well! Keep up the good work mate

D123

Thanks for the concern guys. I'm fine and still very much gamble free. Had a couple of extra days off work and have been busy with the family. Also it's a bit tricky posting when I'm at the house in Kent as my wife still has no idea I post on here regularly.

Back in London tonight for work and will catch up with everyone tomorrow.

G

Hey sadG,

Glad to see your doing good. Stay strong we can beat this addiction.

Chicagoguy

Morning everyone

Just finished another busy night at work. Been getting really busy lately which is great. Makes the nights go quicker.

Have decide to stop counting the days for a while. Just in a good place in general. Getting past the 100 days was a real milestone for me so now I'm going to ignore the days for a while. I know where I am so will check back in a months time and add up the days when I get near 150 but for now it's just more of the same. Minor wobble last week which I dealt with and it just reinforced my reasons why I don't want to be a gambler any more. Very happy with the way my life is improving and I have far more important issues to deal with. I don't have the time to be stressing about gambling losses on top of it all.

Have 2 friends of mine that for 14 years were a loving happy couple. Then it just went downhill. They separated about 4 years ago sadly. Pressure of having kids, and not coping with it, was the main reason but there were other factors. The guy had a heart attack due to stresses of work but also his own anxieties. He went on medication, put on a lot of weight, lost his self confidence. It affected his marriage. She changed too. became very difficult to live with and they just grew apart. Since then they have just got worse and worse. They are practically at war with each other about sharing the responsibilities of their kids. Their son has ADHD and is a real handful and their daughter has refused to go to school for the last 3 years(15 years old now) and is a troublemaking little sod playing each parent off against each other with constant lies. He has become a huge depressive and recluse hardly ever leaving the house and she is on the verge of a breakdown due to their current situation.

I spoke to him on Monday and her yesterday.

What a tragic tragic waste of 2 peoples lives. They used to be so happy and yet here I am now playing mediator to the two of them. I've agreed to sit down with them both in the next couple of weeks to try to find some common ground and to make them understand that if they don't stop warring it will drive them both to an early grave. He is 53, she is 49. So sad.

Do I need to gamble right now? Hell no! I'm trying to stop 2 of my oldest friends from killing each other.

Just thought I'd share this with my Gamcare family to highlight what an added problem gambling would be if I was still doing it. If I was still gambling I'm not sure I would have had the time to try to sort this mess out. I'd be too busy wrapped up in my own selfish world, sitting at the pc doing my dough on some heartless online site.

My friends mean everything to me and I'm glad I have the time and inclination to hopefully help them through this troubled time. Fingers crossed I can make them see the error of their ways if only for the sake of their children who have clearly been affected by their warring parents.

Me? well I'm just fine and dandy and gamble free. You all have a lovely weekend. Best wishes everyone.

G

Morning G

My goodness, just read your post ! it is very very sad about your friends, i hope you can help them to get to a better place of mind especially for their childrens sake. They are always the ones that suffer in these situations.

Keep up the good work with your non gambling my friend, I have not posted so much because of work. Will be making a long post today.

All the best Dark Place

Mr G.

Fella what a great thing to do, well done you.

For the greater good i hope you can be a big help.

And yes what a great way to use your time, to help others, i feel we stole enough of living, well our addiction did.

To end my friend, your glass is today more than half full, keep making a choice to keep it that way.

Again with honour well done

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thanks for your words of encouragement they are much appreciated as always.

Completely understand your view of how we become self obsessed and unable to offer our full self to others when spending and you will undoubtedly be a great support to your friends and their family. I work with traumatised and ADHD teenagers (when not off sick) so know exactly what they are dealing with and hope you all find a happy resolution.

I lived in Cheam for thirteen years and spent my teenage years in that area so remember it well though I know lots of changes there now as everywhere. Used to take my dog in Nonsuch Park and met my ex after a night out at Wimbledon Palais which has long gone. I live on the Thames fairly near Kingston so all in the similar area after living in Guildford for many years. As you say Cheam a good base for london as I worked on a magazine in Saville Row for 4 years when I left art college.

Anyhow I am rambling on your diary so just really called to say well done for continuing to achieve so much and thank you again for support.

Great stuff g it just shows you when we don't gamble we can help others your diary so far is such a success well done fella you keep making me feel positive I'm on the right trail now personal anxiety issues to deal with bit I will get there and your diary definitely helps have a good weekend

The bear x

Thanks Bear.

Everything is good. No gambling, no thoughts of it, no urges, no anxieties. Just about to start work. Will catch up with people's diaries tomorrow. Best wishes everyone.

G

Hey sadG,

Hope all works out with your good friends. Great of you to be in a positon and better place now to give them some guidance and support. Helping others in need is very rewarding for ourselfs. My hats off to you.

Chicagoguy