Thankyou for my post yes i do wish for a change in my daughters health but she has to get out of this i dont want to live stage but i have to keep going thinking shell be better soon . Hope your salsa went good all the best keep going with your gf days
Thank you for the posts on my diary...
Merry go round you brought a smile to my face with your song choice of the day. A little gem by Jamiroquai ~ "Canned Heat." The chorus says it all:
"Dance, nothing left for me to do but dance ~ Off these bad times i'm going through just dance ~ Got canned heat in my heels tonight baby."... ha ha I love it.
Determined Dan I found your post quite inspirational, full of encouragement and good advice.
Christer we are both aware of our own vulnerability and have a good idea of the challenges that lie ahead. We have to be strong and be ready to ignore the urges to gamble. Gambling addiction messes with our thoughts and emotions. It is deceptive and although it might have a certain appeal, we know perfectly well it will only give us sadness, regret and an empty pocket.
This week, hopefully, the government will reduce the stakes on fobts to £2. The gambling companies are trying to influence the governments decision with scare stories of shop closures and job losses. Lets hope common sense prevails and governmenr ministers can open their eyes to the misery caused by those insidious machines....
I am very happy that fobt machine stakes are to be capped at £2 a spin because I believe it will keep me off them. My poison has always been roulette and if I can't chase my losses than it will not appeal to me.
I have, however, noticed some very negative feedback to the announcement and have even seen one post with derogatory remarks aimed at those who have welcomed the £2 per spin limit.
I am a little puzzled and wondering if I am here under false pretences. I used to enjoy a bet but felt no compulsion to gamble except with roulette. I don't know why and don't pretend to understand it. I now suspect that I am not a compulsive gambler, although I do appreciate that I suffer from a gambling related problem.
Hi Stephen I think I offended you and I'm sorry.
Merry go round you have never offended me in any way.
I love reading your posts and have the utmost respect for your knowledge and insight. You have a great sense of humour coupled with a desire to help others.
Take care my friend and keep doing what you do so well ...stephen x
Hi am Anne just not long joined I I have wasted lots of money on roulette and became a different person because of gambling lies deceit having a double life the whole thing has ruined me I hate what I have become. I want to change and stop it. I have not gambled for 4 days now, I need all the good advice from you all
I'm still down and depressed don't know why I got addicted but I know I am
Hi Stephen gamblers come in all disguises. Some have different poisons. Machines are designed to be highly addictive. There was an ex employee of a bookies on Jeremy vine yesterday saying how they were deliberately encouraging people to use the machines, opening more bookies so they could accommodate more (only 4 in a shop). The questions asked do you gamble everyday, more than you can afford, is it affecting your relationship etc. Problem or compulsive gambler? It's still something you choose not to do. You're not here under false pretences.
Thank you Anne & Merry Go Round for the above posts which really struck a chord with me. I have replied on your diaries.
Roulette has often been called the devil's game. All the numbers on the wheel add up to 666 which has long been associated with dark forces.
It would not be an understatement to say that roulette has ruined my life. I found myself addicted to it with disastrous results in the 70's & 80's. When I took early retirement 7 years ago I thought I had it beat after going 20+ years without entering a casino. Most weeks during those 20+ years I had small bets on sporting events but it didn't cause me any problems. I should have known better but after retiring, I was foolishly tempted onto the fobt machines with offers of free bets. My lump sum pension, redundancy payment and savings were decimated but that was only the start of it. What should have been a happy retirement has been spoilt by my compulsion to gamble on those insidious machines. Forever living in hope, I continue to battle on with my recovery so that one day I can be free again. A smile is forever etched on my face and I am grateful for what I do have.
Great post Stephen .... i admire your courage that dispite everthing you have been through down the years you still have the strength to keep fighting, i truely wish you well in your battle and hope that one day you will be free from gambling long term .... you have abstained for long periods in the past and i have every faith in you that you can do so again .... have a good weekend mate.
@charton3 you took the words out of my mouth! Stephen you are a kind, generous soul who has given so much to this forum. The fact you keep going shows strength and courage. I realise more than ever that gambling is pure evil and escaping is one of the hardest tasks. I don't post very much here but in the early days this forum was a lifeline. Stephen you can do this, for yourself as you deserve peace of mind and a calm retirement, take care S x
Thankyou Chartom (162 days GF) & Sharon (430 days GF). Your kind words of support have really brightened up my weekend. When looking for inspiration I need only follow the wonderful examples set by friends like you.
Today I am 15 days on the road to recovery. This time I will not give in, friends before me have overcome their urges to gamble and I can do the same.......
No more the fool, i'm gonna be cool
My mind is set and there's no need to bet
Steadfast and armed with a steely resolve, the thoughts of gambling will slowly dissolve
A better tomorrow, a chance to be free, adventures and fun for little old me
A gamble free life is beckoning me
Adventurous fun with tranquility
A joining together of heart, mind and soul
Enables me now to answer the call
Lovely stuff, Stephen.
Keep up the great work mate. Those days are gradually building into something really meaningful.
Those dark clouds are lifting, day by day. There will be happy times ahead.
Thank you Dan for those kind words.
Great to see your good progress and positive attitude. This time my friend we really need to keep our resolve. We need to show the courage and integrity that lies at our core.
It is to be hoped we can both stop behaving like utter fools. We have both relapsed on several occasions and we really should know better by now. Wishing you every success ...stephen
Daunted and disheveled but trying to do my best
Just striving to succeed in this mind blowing quest
18 days for bet-free me is really a beginning
Gamble-free has got to be the only way of winning
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