Starting again, again,.

Another wonderfully positive post. It really sounds as if you're on top of it.

Still, we all know, there's no room for complacency.

As for losing half a stone, can't believe you'd need to, with your running and cycling!

You've got 50 days coming up soon, Pat, get the champers on ice!

mm

Just want to echo the above post.

Everyone here has been through the bad times so it's only right that we celebrate when people are making their lives better through kicking the habit.

Here's to the next 2 months, pat.

had a very strange experience yesterday, I finished work a few min early to get a haircut on my way home, parked my car on the main street and autopilot switched on and I almost walked into a bookies. I stopped at the door put on a very big smile and headed for the barber.

Amazing after almost 50 days the natural instinct when I was out of work early was to head for a bookmakers....... I guess it was part of the daily routing for years...

Anyway, lesson for me here is never switch off or let your guard down

hope everyone on here is doing well.

I'm sure the bookmaker would've been very surprised when you asked him for a short back and sides!

You write some very kind and supportive comments on people's diaries, and people (like me) take a quiet strength in reading them.

Keep the flag flying, Pat.

mm

well done mate keep it up

Thanks for the post Pat, it is really scarey to think it is only 65 days to new year. Well done for walking past the bookies, bet he was rubbing his hands together when he saw you coming, lol, imagine his disapointment when you turned away, classic! Keep strong.

Are you self-excluded from those bookies?

Just a thought as it would put up an extra little barrier in your fight against this evil addiction.

Well done on walking away, those bookies will have had a bad day!

GT

Have not self excluded. To be honest before I found this site I never even spoke about this problem to anyone. Not sure if that is something I am going to do, I think telling my better half is higher on list of things I should do, but again not ready for that.

It could have turned out to be a very expensive hair cut. Would not be the first time that happened

I am comming up to 50 days and I am beginning to feel the positive effects of not gambling in that time. I just need to keep focused on no gambling.

I would really recommend self-excluding. It really is a painless process - all you have to do is to turn up with a passport sized photo (and no cash or card on you!) and ask to be self-excluded for the maximum of 5 years.

Each gambling institution has the responsibility to allow punters to stop if it is becoming a problem.

If you are worried about the thought of spending money on passport photos, why not print of a photo of yourself multiple times on an A4 sheet. That's what I have done.

Self-excluding would create an extra important barrier in this battle against this evil addiction.

Hope this helps and stay very, very focussed!

GT

Thankyou for your post i appreciate the kind and supportive words.I didnt know weather i was going to say but if im not honest whats the point.

Glad to see you are doing so well.

Stay strong.x

GT thanks for the info on excluding, i dont think i will go that route for now as i feel i am doing ok but it may be something i need in the future.

50 days free today, my 2 quid a day means i have 100 sitting in my desk at work, i know that 51 days ago that was a bet on Trap 6 in the 1.14 in romford but today it feels like so much more.

have made great progress with the help of many people on here, so thank you all so much.

next target is 100 days so roll on the 17th December.

Hi Pat

As you are aware recovery is all about opinions. If I were you I would self exclude as I know the demons will knock on your door one day and if the door is slammed closed you will have some take up time to think and get your head straight. It is entirely up to you. Can I ask you to ask yourself why are you leaving the door open? Please don't answer on here just answer it to yourself and you may have a revalation! Hope you keep well and keep posting. As I said it is only opinions therer is no right way to live with this. Regards

Happy 50th!

As long as you keep that option open, then I will be happy!

Happy 50th day and hope that you have nice plans to treat yourself to that £100.

In the right way, of course!

GT

i sure will keep it as an option. i have nice plans to share a bottle of wine with my lovely wife tonight.

On the 100, as you know i have a liking for small numbers becomming big numbers and i plan to gather a lot of 2's before i use them. ;-), i have a plan....