Today (Friday) is my day 11. Proud to have got here without even having been tempted back in by the 36 number money pit. Good to know even if I wanted to, I have blocked all gambling sites on my computer and phone using K9 software.
Feels so much better not having to worry about checking my online banking and having far less than anticipated in there, due to a hideous online casino binge.
This is my second last nightshift in a stint of five. I was thinking earlier how much of a slog it is doing unsociable hours (especially in the summer months when it's harder to sleep during the day). Yet I would have quite happily wasted all of my money which I'd worked hard to earn, in a couple of hours playing roulette online (or a fobt previously). Never again.
Still feel very determined to beat this, life's too short.
Andy
I've reached day 14! 2 weeks, really pleased. No temptations as yet. My mood has been better too, presumably as I've not felt ashamed and depressed after losing more money.
I've combined my abstinence from gambling with giving up smoking so a double challenge! Got one of those e-cigs, seems to be doing the job! Feel better both mentally and physically already. Planning a trip for the winter, so I have something to look forward to, Budapest probably.
Anyway, best wishes to anyone else in the same boat
Hi LS
2 weeks is great and stopping smoking your willpower is sooo strong
So good to wake up each morning knowing we have not lost any money
Keep strong and keep going
Suzanne x
Thanks for the encouragement Suzanne.
Day 17 today, not gambled or smoked for 17 days! Never thought I'd manage that to be honest. This is the first time I've been honest about my problems in 10 years and actually ackowledged that I have a problem. In the past Ive allowed myself to slip back into old habits with a bet here and there, which in reality is completely pointless as I never collected any winnings, they always just remained as gambling tokens.
Having the K9 software installed has been a massive help as it removes any temptation. I know I cant gain access to gambling sites on my phone or computer so it hasnt even entered my head as yet. There's a betting shop about 2 mins from my house, but I've not gambled on fobts for three or four years. I just don't like going into bookies anymore, so eradicating the ability to gamble online has been a really positive thing.
I've accepted that the money I've lost is gone and I'm looking to the future.
Andy
Morning longshot
Fella well done on finding a great attitude towards your recovery
It is so inspiring to read.
Keep having those lightbulb moments and keep sharing them
They will build your resolve
Ultimately keep you WINNING
for me that is what arresting the punt gifts
Abstain and maintain
Duncs stepping forward never back
Cheers Duncan. I'm still feeling really positive and also resolute. One thing I've noticed in this (almost) 3 week stint of not gambling (and smoking) is how little money I actually spend on other things. I luckily did a 'big shop' before my last roulette binge so other than buying things like milk and paying to play football I've spent very little. Makes you realise how wasteful and destructive a habit it is.
I think of the thing I did when I was gamble free for two or three years up until fairly recently. I love to travel and have been to Berlin, Florence, Barcelona, Tallin, Athens, Seville etc in that time. This is inspiring me to stop for good, I have a long list of places I'd still like to visit and I'm not letting gambling prevent me doing that.
Anyway thats my Friday ramble!
Have a good weekend
Andy
Hi LS
Well done on your days you are doing great and yes it's surprising how little we spend when we are not feeding gambling
Keep going and keep strong and travelling will be on the horizon and that definitely is an incentive
Suzanne xx
Day 23 of no gambling. Slightly fell off the smoking wagon on Saturday night when I went out for a few drinks! Not had one since though.
My mrs has been living over at her parents the past week or so, as they are on holiday and she has to loo after their dog. So I have been living the life of a batchelor, well in some ways! This is certainly a time when in the past I would have absolutely hammered the online roulette, especially with the prospect of no interruptions. However I've had no temptation to do so, even with money in the bank and a bit of boredom thrown in. Saying that the K9 software wouldnt allow me to access any sites anyway.
I've realised that long term, every day spent without gambling is in fact a win. Already after just three and a half weeks I feel so much better, less irritable, more positive generally. I never want to experience the feeling of numbness, having just emptied my bank account gambling, ever again.
Andy
Hi andy
Well done 23 days
Yes we definitely do win every day we don't play
And that is soooo positive
Enjoy your batchelor days gamble free ofcourse lol
Suzanne x
Thanks for the post Suzanne, appreciated.
Day 30! A month effectively, seemed pretty unlikely just 6 weeks ago. Payday tomorrow, which would usually result in an online deposit or previously a trip to the bookies to play roulette on the fobts. However I'm confident that won't happen this time.
Can't recommend the K9 software enough, not that I've been compelled to try and access gambling sites, but knowing that I can't anyway, sort of alleviates a pressure. It's very easy to succumb to temptation, and it really is an excellent safety measure to have in place should online gambling be your crux.
Keep on keepin on to anyone fighting the urge
Andy
A while since I posted, today I have reached day 44 since my last bet. Managed to survive payday (24th July) without any mishaps, which is probably the first in quite some time I've not made an online deposit almost immediately!
I've not really had much in the way of temptation until yesterday. I received an e mail with a matched deposit offer for a site I used to use quite regularly. Must admit I was briefly tempted to access it (I do have a device which doesn't have the K9 installed on it). Managed to resist though, thankfully.
Thought I'd update this as a means to avoid becoming complacent, first real urge I've had, but I managed to fight it off.
Andy
Hi LS
Congrats on 44 days you are doing great keep going and stay strong and safe and keep winning
Suzanne x
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