"The Bright Side of the Road"

Day 12.

Thanks Bear.

All's well that ends well. Just for today, tomorrow and the days ahead, I will not gamble.

Take care all.

Feb - feeling sensible and more in control again on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Day 13.

Feeling the "January Blues" this weekend but nothing compared to reaching rock bottom almost 3 years ago! Still, no gambling and excluded from everything. January will pass, that's for sure.

Take care all and so will I.

Feb - feeling blue on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Day 14.

Long long day/eve at work. More and more pressure being put on us on a weekly basis!

Now that two weeks have passed, I may now just log into my diary on a weekly basis, as each full week passes by. I will also try to remember to comment on the 2016 thread on the 1st of each month.

After abstaining for two and a half years and excluding myself from everything, I don't feel the need to write on here every day or be reminded of gambling every day, by other peoples posts. I think it should be all about what works best for the individual.

Take care all and so will I.

Feb - Normality it is on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Good to hear normality is on :)) keep keeping on, on the bright side of the road.

Suzanne xxx

Glad you are doing well my friend,

Completely understand where you are coming from in regards to weekly updates - Its truly up to the individual and their own recovery.

All the best though bud, ill keep an eye on you as we are very similar matched in terms of days stopped, etc.

Drew

Thanks Suzanne and Drew.

Feb.

18TH JANUARY, 2013:

Three years ago today, I hit rock bottom. I felt it was the worst day of my life emotionally. I had been gambling for roughly three years, causing a substantial amount of debt. To my rescue came Gamcare and an extremely supportive sister. I started my diary in Feb 2013.

Three years on and in that time, I have gambled once in August 2013 and then after almost two and a half years, I gambled a few times over a period of 7 months. I returned back here on 29th December. Although those last few gambling bouts did not bring about the same physical and emotional devastation as back in January, 2013, common sense told me not to go any further with this and so I came back here. I self excluded from those few sites I was able to access for the maximum period of five years.

Today, I was just thinking how peaceful I felt and how good it was to feel this way. How fortunate I am to have a loving extended family.

I will never forget 18th Jan 2013 - or maybe I will one day! For now however, it still serves as a harsh reminder of how physically and emotionally dreadful I felt and how on earth I was going to explain why, to my loving supportive sister!

Today, I am back to "common sense Feb" and I aim to continue that way tomorrow and forever!

Take care all and so will I. "Just for today, tomorrow and forever, I will not gamble".

Feb - feet firmly fixed on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Day 21 - 3 weeks.

I said I would try to record on a weekly basis now. All is well, apart from work! They will be drawing blood from us next!! Still, at least I have a job to pay my bills - and my debts!!

Payday tomorrow. This always used to be my one big trigger back in the day, where I would often gamble almost all of my salary in a matter of hours!! How ludicrous for someone who is usually so sensible! That's what gambling can do when it sucks you in. Tomorrow however, all my money will be in place to pay my bills, feed and water myself and do nice things. Most importantly, I will have peace of mind and be able to sleep peacefully.

My goals I put in place for this payday will be ticked off and achieved also. Goals are good to have.

Take care all and so will I.

Feb - sensibly walking along "The Bright Side of the Road".

No problem Dean. Thank you.

Day 28 - 4 weeks.

Right back into my gamble free rytham after my few episodes last year, which means life is plodding along, bills are paid and I'm fed and watered. The simple things hey! Work on the other hand is so stressful and busy! Still, before I know it, it's Friday again then another gamble free week has passed too. Every cloud as they say.

Take care all and so will I. Just for today, tomorrow and forever, I will not gamble.

Feb - shaken but not stirred on "The Bright Side of the Road".

Hi FEB, congratulations on the 4 weeks ! great to see you back in the groove my friend !

All the best Alan !

Thanks very much for your post Alan. Appreciated.

Feb

Thank you Dean for your continued support. Much appreciated.

Feb.

Hi Feb and thanks for your comments and support my friend .

Equally glad that your back on the road to success, you know the drill so well that there's no advice I could offer , so I'm not even going there buddy !

I will however wish you all the success and happiness that goes hand in hand with our recovery and to say that I'm proud to be walking alongside you !!

Take care Feb !

Best wishes ...............Alan

Thanks Alan.