sh*t Or Bust

I've noticed today that several times i have had a thought to gamble. I'm feeling almost back to my old self. Not at work kids are busy doing their thing and I'm thinking I'm a bit bored ooh i could just pop on somewhere and have twenty quid. I've got the time the location and the finances as i still have money left from last week's wages and I'm due to be paid again shortly. How easy our minds slip quite naturally into the habits we give ourselves. I think i may struggle today. Going to go out in a bit and get some shopping. Treat us to a lovely dinner. We are so vulnerable. It's like a little switch in my brain that went on so easy. Not dark and sinister but with a hint of yeh go on its fine!. I must take some comfort that instead of just agreeing with that little voice i have said no thank you very much. I will go amd tell my children that i love them and see if they fancy pizza or a Chinese tonight. That's what I will do with the twenty quid. Xx

That's what i was doing lizt at the beginning - i was able to buy stuff that i really had wanted for a long time - i have a bit of an addictive personality so i have been logging into my online banking and transferring all my spare cash into my savings account on top of my monthly contribution - i know this ain't a big deal but it is money that would have been lost in 20 seconds on a machine. Don't undo the hard work that you have put it up until this point and remember that you have always have people on this forum to bounce thoughts and ideas about gambling thoughts off...

hiya, just thought id say well done for thinking of a better plan for the twenty quid! i was able to treat my daughter yesterday and the feeling was amazing!

i know what you mean about the thoughts sneaking in, i guess they will always be hanging around! but you gotta listen to the louder thought shouting at you to look how well you have done and that you are a winner for not gambling x

laura x

Hooray made it through yesterday. Think that was one of the hardest days for me. It really makes you think how altered your mind actually is by this horrible addiction. The way you can be tricked so easily. I sat and read so many posts yesterday to keep my mind off gambling. Should have been cleaning my house really but hey ho lol. I feel a lot stronger today knowing that I didn't gamble but sad that all those little triggers and urges are still so prevalent in my mind. . Going to keep myself very busy today i have lots of money in my account and I am determined it will stay there. Feel quite vulnerable now. I'm sure it will pass and i will sit down tonight and be happy for another gamble free day. I am so determined to kick this xx

That post has brought a big smile to my face - so glad to not be reading about a slip up! Give yourself a big pat and keep strong. NH

Thank you need help!!! Well it's ten to seven and i think i am day sixteen. Waiting to watch doctor who with my children. Happy ive not gambled today and thoughts of gambling still there but no way I'm gonna act on them today. Bring on tomorrow!!! I cannot win because i cannot stop!!! I've stopped because i cannot win. Thank you gam care. Xx

Im not a big drinker at all and it was great to be able to go to the bar earlier with my mates and watch the football safe in the knowledge that i was there to enjoy it for what it was.. Some of the others were praying for more corners and weren't able to enjoy it for what it was - a couple of social pints with mates. One went home skint and i could see a lot of myself in his behaviour tonight. Lot may my i stay in my current frame of mind!

Ah that must have been a good feeling. I am really struggling today. Those inner voices that tempt you making you feel that you can control and that it's just a bit of fun and that you can walk away after a tenner. I'm thinking about it a lot today. I have all the means to gamble money time location. This is so so hard. I am battling big time. My boys are about to go off to their dads for a week my partner is away working and I'm gonna be on my own with a healthy bank account lap top and hours to kill. Please give me the strength to stay away. And stay strong. I can do this!!!. Xx

Your closing words make me believe you can stay away from gambling today. Time or location can easily be taken out of the equation by just going out and spending the money on yourself rather than watching it being lost on the slots. But remember nobody on here is in a position to judge you if you do slip up - you just need to start again afresh from day one. I know that the urges to gamble after i admitted her were almost stronger because it wasn't just myself i felt i was letting down - one thing i think has helped me so so much is by stop counting the number of days - im not it works for everyone but the fact that i don't have to meet targets has taken a lot of the pressure off... Keep us all posted and good luck in the struggle.

Oh this is so hard. Amazing how I've managed to hide behind my children this last week. Felt so strong and positive my mind busy with doing things with my kids. Now they are gone I'm panicked. I feel very uneasy heart is racing and i don't like it at all. I'm sure it will pass but how strange. Maybe a reality check for me i guess. Sorry random ramble. Xx

Can you not call someone(boyfriend possibly) and talk through how you are feeling about gambling at the minute. I wish there was more i could say or do. Do remember this tho - time/location/money and by removing one of these then there is no way you can gamble. Come on you can do it - sorry for my ramble also but i have managed to stay away from gambling long enough to feel strong enough to advise someone else when they are wavering... Just ask yourself this - is it work putting everything at risk for the sake of a bet... Stay strong!

I really really appreciate your words. I can't tell anyone nobody knows. I've been out for a drive the weather is awful!! Done some deep breathing. Feel a bit better. It's so annoying to keep on feeling this way . I will stay strong and it will pass. I'm not gonna fall . I can't. Not long till bed ha ha.I'm working tomorrow so just got to get through today. Xx

I really do feel bad for you today - i have often been in your situation and i would have taken the car out for a drive with the music blasting out.. These journeys often helped and cleared my head but on occasion it cost me hundreds as i would often end up in the bookies. Getting back to work tomorrow as it will occupy your mind and hopefully take your mind off it. Im sorry in not really able to help....

Oh you really do help. In some way being on here hearing words of support makes me feel accountable . I think because no body knows i have stupidly thought I'm only letting myself down. I don't matter so it doesn't matter. Does that make sense. I think without finding this site and being willed on to succeed gives me a sense of being somebody. I'm gonna be ok today now. I can feel it. Thank you xx

Hi lizt

Firstly you are doing brill sadly we have these negative thoughts but we must remember the outcome if we give in which is more debt more deceit more misery and more bad health

Just remember I will never win because I cannot stop even when I do win big

It's hard but you are doing this so be proud of yourself you got through today you actually won today that is sooo postitive for you

Well done and here's to tomorrow another day and you will feel different again

Take care

Suzanne x