Time to quit for good

Thanks Wilsy,

Life without being a gambling addict is definately a lot better for everyone involved.

My girlfriend has been great, she used to smoke a lot until i started seeing her almost three years ago and she said she gave it up for me so that is a bit of extra motivation for me to stay clear of gambling as i know she hates it taking over me.

I do get temptations every now and then, i miss the routine Saturday bets to keep the footie interesting but my problem was i couldnt ever just stick to that, I would gamble every day throughout the week and it just needed to stop.

I dont know how long I will manage to stay clear but at the moment this break is doing me real good, first time in 7 years have not been addicted to it.

It does show though that you can beat it, you just have to take the actions needed to get away from it.

Hi CM & well done for over half century GF!

Take it day at a time, there is no point looking too far ahead.
Try and find other hobbies or interests to occupy yourself on weekends or "usual timescales" where you used to have biggest urges.

Having supportive Girlfriend is really massive help for you to stay on a straight and narrow. Be honest, share your feelings and emotions with her. Two heads are well better than one and can solve arisen problems/ doubts a lot quicker.

You can do it and you're doing it - keep up good work!

S&B xx

Thanks SJB,

Before I used to think I gambled because I was bored but really I could have filled my time doing something else so gambling due to boredom was just an excuse.

Last 7 weeks have started making more effort with my GF, we still did things before but like I mentioned above gambling took up a lot of my time and we got used to not doing much together.

My target is 100 days, at least by then it would have given me over 3 months free of this addiction to see how life can be.

Day 52 : £390.00

Day 53 : £397.50

Day 54 : £405.00

Well done CM3003 with hitting 54 days gf. It's great to read that things are working out and that your girlfriend is a great support.

Although my advice would be to steer clear of the controlled £10 weekly bet. I sometimes feel like I could dip my toes back in the gambling waters each week or month - but I know it'll get out of hand again pretty soon. For the limited amount of joy a small bet might bring, it just doesn't seem worth the risk.

Hi Equinox,

Yes I thought a lot about it. When I realised I could limit my spend to £10 a week as only my girlfriend knows my security code and there would be no way of me going from depositing £10 to depositing £100 in a few days like before I thought that could work and it could but like you say its better to just stay clear of it all together.

Day 55: £412.50

So to another Saturday, really tempted to pop in Bookies and have a little bet but wont do it. Keep saying to myself how much I have saved by not gambling the past 8 weeks so little bet wont hurt but I want to hit 100 days so will continue to say NO.

Gym and shopping trip to Westfield today with the girlfriend to keep myself busy.

Day 56 : £420.00

So avoided the temptation.

Reading just now though how one lucky punter won £44k yesterday from a £1 acca doesnt help lol, makes you want to try your luck.

After 7 years gambling I am just enjoying having a much needed break from it all.

Day 57: £427.50

Day 58 : £435.00

Was watching the Liverpool game last night, dont know how it finished 1-0. My mate put £50 on Draw at 6/4 with not long left and seeing him sweat and stress was a clear reminder of why I have quit.

Day 59 : £442.50

Hi CM3003

You are saving some serious cash now and a huge congrats on reaching 59 days gamble free. Be very proud of your continued discipline and resolve towards this battle.

Proud of you!

Wilsy

Thanks Wilsy,

It does keep me motivated seeing the savings build up. I am still on guard though as what I have currently saved I have lost in few hours hour before at my worst. Months of saying no and saving could all be undone in a few hours or days if i give in again.

Best thing I did was be 100% honest with my girlfriend, her knowing means there is no way of me being able to hide it like I was doing in the past and with only her knowing my card security number it is not possible for me to deposit online.

I just had to get rid of all temptation and that is what I done.

Well done mate, it's always best to be honest with your girlfriend unless you have one that doesn't want to give you any support whatsoever, they are quite rare, you sound like you have a good one. We shouldn't have to carry this burden by ourselves. Keep up the good work

Wilsy