Two years and sucked back in...

Well here I am 2 weeks in, have done really well not not fall back in to my old ways...im not going to get ahead of myself I still have a problem and will stay strong, payday tomorrow will pay all my bills and be left with some and that money ill be giving to my other half to keep safe (she still none the wiser about gambling).

Keep at it everyone ill be back tomorrow.

Evening,

Well what a day its been, payday today and not even a thought about gambling, spent some money on my children brought little one some new shoes that she really needed, fixed the car and paid family back what I owed them....I should have done all this a long time ago, so happy right now that I have got through today without a hick up....tomorrow ill be goign to watch football and when the other stop for the usual gamble I will be staying in the car and be posting on here I am not going to give today has been a massive eye opener for me that I can and will do it.

Not going to get a head of myself I am still recovering so I will stay storng and not think this is over.

Regards

Shaun

Morning Shaun

Thanks for posting on my wall.

Funnily you should mention shoes as my wife treated my daughter to a new pair yesterday and she was absolutely delighted. One of the major benefits of not gambling.

I hope Stoke win tonight and I will be rooting for them. Instead of making the "usual stop" - have a pie - it will last longer!

Have a great night.

Best

Mark

Mark its crazy hay how just not gambling you can actually afford to buy things normal things that we should have been buying but funding gambling come first, this has really opened my eyes and cemented the determination to stop.

cheers mate I do hope we get a result tonight will be the icing on the cake of a very good two weeks.

We stop at the services same place each time and that would have been when bets for the game would have been placed, I will be staying in the car and having a catch up on here I dont need nore do I want to gamble which is a great feeling.

Hope all is well mate.

Regards

Shaun

Sounds like you had a normal payday. Money in your bank then being used for ALL the right reasons.

Well done!

GT

Well as I said currently at the services and no urges to gamble decided to come inside to get wifi so I could face time my little ones (video call) that's all I wanted to and that is all I has done well happy.

Gt, it's crazy how paying a few bills and buying kids this open your eyes to stop top it of with a win tonight and I'll be a happy chap either way I'm a winner and spent my money the right way.

I'll post again on way home take it easy guys

Brilliant technology this Facetime isn't it? I think that I haven't used my phone at all for around three weeks now - only Facetime on my iPad.

Much better to look at a Facetime screen of some lovely people than a screen full of computer graphics with a reverse ATM further down (at the services).

GT

It's brilliant gt only down fall you need wifi to use it but free wifi in the services, was nice to be able to do it as the thought of having a bet wasn't even there as was thinking about them.

I like the iPad I really would like one and will get one once the financial situation is back on track will be a nice treat for the family.

Bad game tonight was proberbly one of the worst games of football iv been to but on the plus side my first game iv been to and not joined in with a bet and feel very good to be able to say that so all round a very good day.

Starting the lose the 'need' to gamble as was once always in my head, it doesn't intrest me in the way it did, I'm not being naieave and thinking it's over I need to keep the gard up, stay strong and not put my self in a situationI to gamble.

Funny thing is a pal of mine sent me a text asking to go casino tonight a polite message back 'NO it's not for me anymore and I'm alot better for it, please don't invite me in the future' what a good feeling.

Regards

Shaun

Evening,

Here comes the weekend once a very bad time for me but have learnt alot over the last couple of weeks and no can actually enjoy them with some family time.

I have been contemplating going to GA or one to one session what peoples thoughts on these and which one helps best?

Has been a good day today feeling good and positive.

Hope everyones doing well and have a very good gamble free weekend.

Reagrds

Shaun

Hey Shaun

I've been to GA and had group and 1:1 counselling. My preference was group sessions although they may all be beneficial in some way.

GA: You can say as much or as little as you like. It can be useful to be amongst others who are facing the same challenges as us. You won't get this in group or 1:1 sessions. The best way is to find out what works for you. I did feel that I was tackling my problem with all of the above but it was still down to me to actually not gamble and, even though I got to understand more about myself, I was still capable of making the wrong decisions.

Definitely worth trying. One thing I would say is getting sessions on the NHS may not be for everyone as it does leave a trail on your health records that could have implications in the future.

Best of luck and have a good weekend

Hi Js,

Iv been thinking of doing something different this time to help my recovery and keep hearing alot about GA my only thing is how do I join a meeting do you just go along on the night and they welcome you?

I signed up last time for 1:1 sessions but didn't attend which was stupid of me as this would have helped my recovery previous and might not have been in the situation I found myself this time.

As for NHS I think I would have to do it myself as like you say leave a trail on my heath records, I have a medical condition and my work look at my medical records from time to time.

So all in all I think I will try the GA give it ago no worries of being judged as the people at the meetings will be in the same boat as me.

Weekend is going good few urges at the moment as the other half and kids have gone out and this would have been my time to get some bets on but not anymore getting some house work done ready for football at 12.

Regards

Shaun

HI Shaun

I hope you are well.

Thanks for posting on your wall. I will take your advice.

I was sorry that the Potters did not win on Thursday. The match was not on telly but I followed it on my phone. I understand a wondergoal was the only difference between the two teams. At least you are still in the tie and an away win is always a possibility.

I am delighted that you did not have the usual bet on Thursday. Had you done so (just like me with the Gunners yesterday) you and your team would have ultimately lost.

I hope you have made it through this weekend ok. There is a lot of football and other sport on but if we can get used to watching it for fun, sport will make the weekends great again and not something to fear.

Catch up soon.

Best regards

Mark

Evening Mark,

cheers mate was a very bad game one of the worst i have watched can hardly call it a football match but hay we still in with a chance on Thursday night, gunners didn't do too great yesterday seem to be in a bit of trouble at the mo, what you think change the manager of 'in Arsene we trust'?

Was a good feeling to not give on on Thursday think I got bit of a buss to be able to resist in a strange way.

Weekend has been good like iv said there doesn't seem to be the want to gamble at the moment, not saying it wont come back. Before I couldn't drive past a bookies without wanting to try a 'tenner'. (we all know it was never a tenner) Weekends are difficult for us all but posting on here is helping and takes your mind of it, I cant wait for the day to watch a football match and not think what I would have had on it.

Im glad you've made it to week 2 things will be looking up now mate its a great mile stone.

Regards

Shaun

Hey Shaun

Visit the GA website and there is a page where you can find your local group. If you're lucky, there may be a few and more than one night a week. Simply pop along. You'll be made to feel welcome. Don't worry if you feel a bit uncomfortable going the first few times - it's the price we have to pay to beat this thing. You can voluntarily donate a few quid at the end of the meeting. This helps keep it running.

All the best and I look forward to reading your successes

HI JS,

Thanks for your advice iv had a look at the GA website and in my area the meetings on a tuesday so will try and pluck up the courage and go just not normaly something I would do but if im to beat this will have to.

Nice morning today lots of work todo so heres to a good day.

Take care everyone

Have a good day.