Starting again, again,.

Well done on six months and keep going strong . I read alot on here about how we get too focused on debt , i constantly check cc balances and accounts even though i know whats in there almost to the penny ,but the positive thing is there not getting worse and wont as long as we stay away . Have a good birthday Denis

Pat thanks very much for your post i think it gets to a stage where you want to keep reading but its difficult to keep thinking of things to say in your own diary . this site has taught me more than i ever knew about problem gambling i feel so much better equipped to deal with it know and that is mainly due to the support from people like yourself which means so much as we both understand whats bought us here good luck to you in particular pat Denis

Sounds like you are in a brilliant place right now.

And long may this continue!

GT

200 days today and i feel great.

I have not being posting lately, am just trying to enjoy a "normal life" not one that revolves around gambling.

I have seen dramatic improvements in the last 200 days in all aspects of my life, there is no way i am going to give up on this now.

Keep strong everyone, we can do this if we really want to .

Pat

As ever...well done!

I'm still trying to catch you up.

Many congratulations on reaching 200 days gamble-free! £400 cash in the £2 jar?!

Hi Pelle,

I sure do, 200, 2 euro coins, all heads up :-).

I have a plan for those guys but still am a long way off my target, it is amazing how quickly it has built up, it is also my plan b stash in case i hit a bump on the money front, am going ok on that front at the moment, the debts are not reducing much but day to day living is managable, not stressing as much as i had being, it feels good.

Cheers for the post pat and congrats on 200 days,glad you are still going strong. I'm over my blip,and as u say were just one bet away from disaster. That first bet is the one to avoid.

I'm with you in not posting as much as I used to and wanting a normal life, but its a gods send this site is always there when we need it. Keep well pat,enjoy the sunshine.

Pat,

Thanks for posting on my diary.

Congratulations on 200 days.

I'll use this for inspiration-only another 178 days for me!!!!!

Good evening,

Thank you for your post.

200 days, well done

Stay strong ,the 400 is just along the road a bit.

Dusty

Good to see your still going strong ,hope youve got a good lock on that drawer

Denis

30 weeks today, feeling good, i have no desire to gamble at all.

Keep strong all.

Pat

Cheers for the post pat and congrats on 30 weeks,your well on your way to a gamble free year. Keep going mate your an inspiration.

I was out with my OH and son yesterday, my boy is making his confirmation soon so wanted to get his clothes sorted, we went to Dublin for the day, when we got him sorted my OH wanted to get a few bits so us men headed to the pub to catch the football on TV. When we got to the bar we ordered two cokes and sat at the bar, one tv showing the football and one showing the racing, I could not take my eye off the racing, (i always back short favs or big market movers and increase the size of my stake if i get a winner) so first race fav won at 7/4, second race another fav, 3rd race same again, christ i was completely caught up in it, was working out how much i could have been up.... i did not bet, i like to think i would not have bet even if my son was not with me but.....

I know one bet would completely s''@ew up all the good work i have done.

Are we ever over this addiction or is it a life long battle... i have to win the fight every day it only has to win once...

It's terrible, isn't it? I'm the same with bjack. I can tolerate other forms of gambling on my 'radar', like bandits in pubs etc (although i've stopped playing them), and the odd punt at football (I've stopped that too, although it was never much) but when I come into contact with 'The One' - BJ in my case - I start doing sums in my head, start working out the cards 3, 4, 5 hands after they've finished, and so on...

Just avoidance, willpower and barriers , that's all we can do.

I'm getting thirsty already, stay strong.