The best decision I've made in a long time....

4 gamble free days completed.

Nothing much to report today.

Probably my biggest test today of my recovery thus far.

But then I keep reminding myself of how peaceful it is to not stress about gambling.

I’m going to give my house a good tidy and clean. Maybe find some things to do. May even settle down to watch a film later on.

I’m glad I survived today. It’s all about one day at a time.

Dan

One house is enough thanks mate, haha!!!

I realise those urges will come and go through the day (and night) but it’s about managing them. I’m hoping they become less frequent as time goes on.

My mindset is still in gambling mode. It’s gone from 100% to 0% just like that so I expect the urges.

Once the urges pass, there’s a huge sense of relief. I’m enjoying knowing that each second that passes, is a second further away from my last bet.

5 days gamble free.

Coming to the end of what has been a testing week at work.

It’s been a little while since I’ve been 5 days gamble free so I’m enjoying the peace and tranquility of it all.

I know for now I have to take this recovery one hour at a time.

However I’m feeling far stronger this time round. I have my girlfriend making sure I stay on the straight and narrow. Nothing much gets past her so she’s keeping a check on my finances.

It’s what I need as I obviously can’t be trusted. It feels like such a weight off my shoulders, her knowing about my gambling.

Dan

6 days gamble free.

Closing in on one week.

I’ll be glad to get there as it’ll feel like my recovery journey has finally taken off and gathered some meaning.

I’m going to enjoy the sun this weekend and some precious time with my family.

It’s lovely waking up with no gambling hangover.

Have a great weekend everyone 🙂

Dan

Having some strong urges tonight to bet on the boxing!

But instead, I went for a quick 5km run, had a shower and then sat down with my girlfriend to tell her the urges and she quickly put me straight.

I love her to bits so to hear her say that tonight made things a million times better and settled any urges, for this evening at least.

It’s something that perhaps wouldn’t have happened in previous recoveries.

As it’ll have been one week tomorrow, I’ll show her my bank statement to prove that I’ve not been gambling. I’ve told her I’ll do this at the end of every week.

Dan

1 week gamble free

It’s a mini milestone I can celebrate and one that I feel I can now kick on from.

Overall I feel stronger and more resiliant in this particular recovery. Simply because I’ve added more blocks and got help from a loved one. I proved in the past that I couldn’t do this on my own.

Today I’m going to enjoy the glorious sunshine.

Have a great Sunday.

Dan

8 days gamble free

Trying my best to stay positive on this Bank Holiday Monday.

No real thoughts about gambling today but really want to speed this whole process along.

I’ve nobody but myself to blame so I just have to live with my latest relapse and battle on, hour by hour.

I fear that my car may soon need some work doing to it which will cost but had I have not been gambling, that wouldn’t have been problem. So it’s all my fault I’m in this mini mess.

I should just about have enough in my savings to get me through this but it’s whether I can stay away from gambling. Previous history suggests otherwise.

I have to be strong through this and battle through this.

I have a start. Now I need to continue being resilliant.

I’m telling myself that things WILL get better as time goes on. It has to.

Dan

Hi Dan ..... Things can and will get better for you the longer you can abstain, getting through those early days are hard but get as many blocks in place as possible and over time life starts to improve in all aspects, you have got to really want to stop and once you do the rewards are so worth it ..... keep fighting mate you deserve to be free from gambling and will be if you really want to .... all the best.

Thanks for your post Chartom3.

I’m certainly fighting at the moment. Each and every hour is a battle that I’m currently winning.

I keep telling myself that things will eventually improve if I abstain from gambling.

My blocks are stronger than ever and my determination to quit is there. I just have to back up my words with actions now.

Dan

9 days gamble free.

Woken up in need of boost this morning. Sure, I’m happy to have almost reached double figures but every now and again I get the realisation of where I could have been with my life had I not been gambling excessively.

The only way to improve life is to not gamble. It’s stating the obvious, but it’s so true.

I should notice the difference and feel the benefits in around 2 or 3 months time but that feels like a long way off at the moment. I need to stay patient.

Dan

I think you’ve hit on a big thing there Dan, as CG’s we do not have patience. Whether it’s instantly needing to get back to square one or sorting all of our problems without hard work it’s the one trait we struggle with.

You’re doing really well so far. Good luck

samba79 wrote:

I think you’ve hit on a big thing there Dan, as CG’s we do not have patience. Whether it’s instantly needing to get back to square one or sorting all of our problems without hard work it’s the one trait we struggle with.

You’re doing really well so far. Good luck

The ironic thing is, I’m naturally quite a patient person in life. Everyone would say that, work colleagues, family, friends etc.

Yet, I have absolutely no patience when it comes to gambling or fixing my gambling problems. I want instant success. It’s strange.

I guess most of it is due to anxiety about having no money for an emergency situation. Car breaking down, unexpected house problems etc.

If you could guarantee that nothing like that would happen, then I’d be a lot more patient. But, it is what it is.

It’s my fault I’m in this situation so I just have to suck it up and fight through it.

Good luck on your journey too, Samba79. I’ll be keeping a check on your progress. One day at a time mate!

10 days gamble free

Finally hit double figures.

Absolutely no urges to gamble over the last couple of days which has been a welcome relief.

Time to tackle Wednesday.

Dan

Dan the Man is on the move and looking cool. Yihaaa.

Congratulations my friend on 10 days GF. You definitely have what it takes to win this war. You have wisdom, enthusiasm and a good right hook. Use these positive traits to your advantage and beat this insidious addiction. Chase them gambling demons out of sight and out of your life for good.

We really don't want to be acting like fools any more. Let's call on all our reserves of strength and courage so that we can be inspired. We CAN overcome the compulsion to gamble.