To a better me and future

misspent.

Fella welcome to the forum, a place were you will recieve a great deal of fantastic advice and support and you will not be judged for your addiction.

5 days gamble free is something to be proud of and with the right choice made each day you will only add to the tally.

My advice is take all the help that you can, self exclude from your bookies or if online get some blocking software.

A fella in my GA gave me some advice on my first days abstinence, it still works today 19 months on.

ther is a triangle Time-Money-Location

Take one away and the punt becomes impossible, gifting you a chance to re-wire your addled brain.

Through abstinence you become a winner gift yourself a 100% payrise with each days abstinence.

For twenty years I could not win because I could not stop.

Today I did actually win, ironic I know.

I hope you take as much from the forum as I do, it is a remarkable place to help build your resolve to arrest that devestating next punt.

Keep up the good work and be kind to yourself.

Duncs stepping forward never back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply duncanmac,also a very good post. Thanks for the advice as its Friday and am off work and the w end is looming I am trying my hardest not to place a bet.Am keep telling myself NO then am saying its only a few quid.But I know myself if its £2 or £200 whatever the outcome I cant walk away. Its so bloody hard.

Hi Missspent,

Great to see that you started a recovery diary, use it to your advantage , If you keep an open mind it will help.

I see you have been visited already by Sir Duncs, You could do worse than read his diary and see his journey so far over the past 18 months.

2p or 20000 quid its all the same result, You cant win because You cant stop.

Keep yourself occupied you need to fill that void with something positive.

Be strong. One day at a time.

take care

blondie

It took me a long time to really believe that ... I can't win because I can't stop. Good luck on your journey.

thanks,

blondie00,duncs,and Carla for the support.Well was down Scarbrough on Saturday night with my girlfriend my mam lol it was her 65th birthday her fella my gfs mam and partner.Can I just say it was a cracking night with a very good singer on.Anyway the point of the story is my gf used to live there I would drive nearly 2hrs to see her put bets on once there and some nights go and play poker,not good or fair to be honest.I was a bit scared once we were there because my mam is a compulsive gambler although she would argue otherwise. See every night we went out down scarbrough we would end up in the casino lose money then argue all the way home CRAZY I know. But we avoided the casino and woke up ys hungover but with money in our pockets and argument free RESULT. 8 days gamble free gl people.

hi,

Have made it through Saturday gamble free,i used to love Saturdays am not liking them at the mo,am sure in time I can start enjoying them again but like I have said before this is my main losing money day.Am feeling very proud of myself for not having a footie bet.Well its bed time good night and gl people.

Good! Fridays were my big betting day... wait... no anytime I could manage it but ALWAYS on Fridays. Glad you're keeping up the fight. Feeling quite proud of myself at the moment, not that I've even gone without bet as long as you, but today I did have money in my pocket, had time and was right beside a casino and I fought the urge successfully. Keep at it!

Carla please please keep up the good work of not giving money away.Anyway my apologies for not being on for ages my lap top has had 380 viruses on lol just got it sorted and downloaded an anti virus for 40 quid WHAT I would never have paid that while gambling.But get this am over 3 months gamble free OK have had a couple of lottery tickets but we can live with that.My mindset has totally changed honestly people if yer can just get past the hard part which for me was the first month.It does get easy I still want to put a footie coupon on BUT its not about the amount yer put on its everything else that's involved the triggers it will set off in yer mind.I feel as if there is a switch in my head and once switched over to gambling mode its bloody hard to switch it back,so this is always in my mind.Have also read and will keep reading overcoming compulsive gambling A very good read people.

keep up the good work people.cheers.

Well I managed 3 months no gambling.Then and its a big THEN fell off the wagon with a few small bets on football coupons which triggered online poker and horse bets when yer start putting money on animals you have a big problem.Luckily have kept the bets small but its no excuse the money was still going out and nothing coming back.Well Man utd just let me down for 340 for a 4 pound bet they have never lost at Stoke for 30 yrs.There are no excuses if you put yourself in that situation you deserve all you get that triggered online poker.Hve realised again I need to stop so we back at day one.

Sorry to read of your relapse,but well done on the 3 months,proves you can do it.

That first bet really is the one to avoid,it just re starts that cycle of doom,you win - you want more,or you lose you chase,it all ends up in tears.

Ive just fell off the wagon after abstaining for 15 weeks,one small bet on a horse(that won) lead to another that also won,stakes got higher until a loss,then the inevitable chase,and im bk to square 1.

Youve gota admit,life is so much calmer,healthier,happier when were not gambling.

That small initial footy bet aint worth risking in the future.

All the best miss spent life.

HI

Hi, have had a weeks holiday with my gf.I wish i stayed at work to be honest all ive done is gamble on my phone.Took her for a meal and while she was at the toilet i was nipping out putting bets on next door.Honestly i have done my head in no wonder she wants rid of me.I am going to take one day at a time and re train my brain if thats possible.I have to lose a certain amount of money before i come to my senses this really does have to stop.I am going to keep posting on here any advice is surely welcome its hard to fight this demon bug or your own......

Day 1. All I can think about is gambling it's all I know it's all I've done. I am going out for a few cheeky beers with my gf who is at breaking point with me. Got to keep upbeat. We have a big holiday coming up in November for her 40th and me daughters 18th which needs to be paid for by the end of August luckily I did not blow it all yesterday. Well here's to ANOTHER new future....

Day 5, still keeping away from gambling although I did put a dream team in don't know if this counts, anyway my mind set has switched over but I know even the smallest of bets and i will be hooked again so must stay clear. On the dreaded graveyard shift for 3 nights then a nice 4 days off must find something to occupy my time with. Will try my best to stop this awful addiction it really does mess your head up. Bet lose bet lose bet win bet win. We never win. I've yet to pick up winnings and walk out and return say a month later for another go. The so called winnings go back on. What's the point it's just xtra hassle in yer life. Here's to a calmer more peaceful life my gf has noticed a massive difference in 5 days I owe her a great deal not the bookies.

Am trying a different tactic this time,am not going to start my diary with day 1 2 3 etc etc tried that last time and fell. Only my opinion but I think we setting ourselves up for a goal. Then kidding ourselves everything is fine then wam we've just treat ourselves to a little bet. So going to play it by ear, yes one day at a time. Anyways since I've come on this time I'm still gf am pleased to say I've only to look back through my bank statements to tell me online is really really bad for me and countless other people. For about the last 2 years I was going into the bookies and putting the odd lucky15 on and a footie coupon and always on the way out I would put a pound in the fobt and walk away. But it was getting daily and you don't realise. The stakes on bets were going up. Then the inviteable happens you go online then crash there is only one outcome. So I know this time I have got to be on guard 24/7 against this disease.