Stopping Gambling is “easy”

Start of a new month, new week! Here’s to being organised and prepared to keep safe and gf!

Today I have worked well this morning and this pm I am feeling will be hard work! On leave from tomorrow for a week! Yippee! Just having 10 mins watching sky I have counted 11 adverts for bingo/gambling/lottery sites! Also the news that bookies are changing the games to bypass the £2 limits! I need to check again my thoughts that I don’t gamble!

Well done happy I to am struggling but the thoughts only come when I am not working so trying to keep my mind busy on getting back to my wife keep going mate

Hi Jappy,

It's refreshng seeing your progress, keep it up. All mediums are flooded with gambling related advertisements and adverts, stay strong and keep to your core principles. Blockers are in place, ensure accessible finances are kept to a minimal through control via a close relative/friend. Whilst jealous of your extended annual leave, make sure you have plenty of activities planned to keep your mind busy.

What I found beneficial in the early stages of recovery was to write down a list of reason why I wish to be gamble free i.e family, finances etc and any time urges come, refer back to that list. It really helped me as my family mean the world to me.

Keep the updates coming, every day gamble free is another win.

Andy (CG 243 days GF)

Thanks Andy some good stuff and tips! I will be very busy for the leave! Golfing with 8 guys so plenty busy! Just need to keep with company and not “disappear” have sorted all my work niggles so clean slate! Some cash in bank and not all on credit as for the last few years! Looking forward to buy a treat on last day if not spent all money in the pub! Feeling good now work out of way! Time for relax - keep you good work Soon be at the year point

You're most welcome, I find sharing and learning from others best aids my recovery. Good, haha, well that does sounds busy! Golfs a game I tried to get into but ended up throwing my club further than the ball ever going. You're a smart chap and saying all the right things, keep with company and keep the mind occupied.

Are you solely responsible and have access to funds? Always a good idea to give any excess to a close friend or relative just to be sure in the early stages. Absolutely, treat yourself. If it were me, there wouldn't be much left after the pub that's for sure. Great to hear all seems positive, now time to relax and enjoy the leave.

It's been tough, I have rocky days but always checking back in and going through my coping mechanisms helps. It does get better! You're doing a stellar job, keep it up.

Andy (CG 243 days GF)

I have been on day one of our week of golf and beer! Great day and no gambling, a few lads have had a bet on ainteee all lost! But it’s good not to be involved and not looking at phones while playing! Now for the beers! All good and gf

Thanks for the check-in Jappy and great to hear all is well. How was the round, did you play well? Every one is a loser when it comes to gambling so don't worry too much about that and well done for staying away, it's paying off. Enjoy the beers and look forward to the next check-in.

Andy (Compulsive gambler 245 days GF)

Hi jappy - well done on your gf days.
I too read/listened to Allen carrs book continuously for about 2 weeks,it seem to brain wash me into becoming a non gambler.
Trouble was after 8 months I thought I was cured and that 1st bet happened- the rest was predictable.
I'm back in the right mindset again,gonna give the Allen Carr thing a go again along with help from this forum.

All the best
Robby

Well done you. I am also amazed of how many gambling adverts on tv. When i come in from work and put the telly on there are loads and it is very worrying. It was so easy for me a grown woman (who should know better) how will it be for the next generation like my daughters who are on their phones all the time. These adverts make gambling fun - getting together with friends, laughing, joking drinking!! In reality we know its a downhill spiral.