Hi
Hope you don't mind me posting but I thought I would try to give you some encouragement. Everyday you say no is a massive achievement, do not panic if you should fall. Even through the hard times pick yourself up and try again.
I have not gambled for what I believe to be 41 days now and still have massive urges. Every time I say no I give myself a little pat on the back. Please do the same, this addiction is so hard to overcome, but overcome we must. Everyone here is absolutely fantastic and cares a lot about each other. Even the best make mistakes but all of us no matter how deep can get out. It take courage, strength and support. I have found everyone on here a huge strength to me especially in the first few weeks when I needed it most.
Well done for opening up and taking the first steps towards overcoming this habit - don't be hard on yourself, give yourself credit for opening up and taking steps to say no. I say to myself constantly day at a time (sometimes minute at a time) as that is what it takes for me. I hope you find the strength you need, and should you need any of us we are here.
Wishing you all the best and every success
Amanda
Thx so much guys this site has been a,real help. Day 8 Start back to work tomorrow never bn so glad, 3 weeks with no work has been a nitemare (especially when any money saved had been squandered) The tougher times are still to come, thinkin about surrending my bank card to my other half to take away all temptation, but im nt sure if it will have a negative affect on my morale. Suppose I wont kno until I do it. Kp strong guys
Hi unruinyourself
So delighted to see you posting mate - been looking out to see if you would. Do I sense that you are back with the girlfriend? Really hope so.
I'm not exactly a veteran of this stopping and recovery business, but the second most important thing I did was to give up all control of my finances. You've already done the most important thing.......that was to be honest with yourself and family/good lady about your addiction. I promise you that you will so much more in control without the bank card and in time completely liberated from a big source of the temptation......having the money to do it. Everyone's recovery is different and individual to them, but please don't underestimate the importance of creating barriers and putting prevention tools in place.
Congrats on Day 8 mate - small steps with big results!! Don't forget to check in to the challenge thread!!!
Mr Brightside
yes MrBrightside back with the mrs, im a very lucky man. Your advice on the bank card sounds sensible, im not sure if im capable of controlling myself yet if i hang onto it so this seems to be the most sensible solution. If im going to beat this i need all the help i can get. Il check in with the challange thread later m8.
Hiya mate, I have tried to stop gambling and failed in the past. The biggest mistake I made in the past was not giving up control of my finances. This time round I have given my mum control of my finances and its the best thing I ever did. If I need cash or need something paying she sorts it out for me. It means if I ever did slip up I could only lose the small amount I had on me rather than blowing everything in my bank. It also prevents me from having large amounts of cash which tempts me a lot more than a few quid does!
Its early days and you are doing well, life can be so much better for us all. Keep up the good work.
Hi unruinyourself
Another great story, and brilliant start to your attempts to get rid of the addiction.
Well done pal, i will be following your progress and you have my sincere hope and support that you keep up the good work.
Day 10 Slowly but surely things are startin to look alot brighter i can watch the football without screaming for a start lol hope i can keep this up in a few weeks time hopefully i will nt reconise myself compared to the person i had become. Heres hoping... Kp the faith.......
Hi Chris,
Just been reading through your diary, and you've definitely made a good and positive start towards getting away from the damage that gambling does. As you say yourself there is a long way to go, but each step is just one step further away from gambling. Personally, I actually enjoy watching football and other sports more without betting, as I can now watch without being gutted if something goes against me.
Well done for being honest with your girlfriend too, a problem shared is a problem halved, and at least you know you'll have someone in your corner backing you to beat this disease.
All the best
Ryan
Hi Chris
Very quick one mate - check in closes in 90 minutes - extended because of the outage yesterday - please get yourself checked in........it'll be a bumper week and would hate for you not to feature on the roll of honour having done so well!!
Congrats on progress and especially with te situation at home - made up for you.
Mr B
I cant even remember wat day this wud of been but its now became day 1. MASSIVE RELAPSE not only was it a relapse but it wasnt even my money, i took it from my girlfriends account without her permission. Now im in 10x the s**t i was and i dont know how because everything was going so well, she gave me her bank card to pay a bill and i cant explain wat happened next, its like i was on auto-pilot, not postng in a while def didn help. Now im at square -1 and have lost everything AGAIN. WHY. The next few days r gonna b extremely tough
hi m8
sorry to hear about the relapse, its not a nice place to be....
I think you already know things need to change, with your gambling habits its not just money you are setting yourself up to lose!! Do you love gambling? or Do you love your girlfriend? I had this choice m8 and it took me all of 1 second to decide enough was enough!!!!
Get posting and reading on here as much as you can, try GA meetings even try arrange counselling sessions. Never be complacent and think you are in control no matter how long you are free from the habit!! its like an ex heroin user... 1 hit and there back on the road to disaster.
Have you told your girlfriend about using the money?? if you havent i would say tell her before she finds out for herself cause that will only make matters worse.
Take care m8 and if you need post in my diary.
Del
yes delboy ive told her about the incident, needless to say im on the verge of being thrown out again.
Hi chris your only 27 I wish I had amitted I had a problem at 27 I just kept on gambling im 36 and I just admitted ive got a problem. I gambled in may for my birthday to think that I would win a nice bit of money for my birthday and after and before Christmas my last gamble was 27th December I was trying to win some money for Christmas presents. I don't work and all this is caused by gambling.
Hi Chris,
Can't stop thinking about you tonight m8, let's make the relapse a one off and jump back on the wagon with us..... get yourself back over to the challenge page your not alone my friend.
Derek
hey un
Sorry to hear about your slip and I hope you can sort things out at home. Just remember that a slip is all it is and you are still a fellow challenger who we want to see back on our thread checking in. It doesnt matter if it is back on day 1 as the days will add up again and you will now know what your triggers are so that you can avoid it in the future.
We are all here to support you 100 percent.
Linda
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