Winning...at last

95 days gamble free today, still well pleased with my uni results not really sunk in yet!

Bring up the century of being gamble free on saturday and also off work that weekend so think I will celebrate with a meal out and a few drinks!

Well done and enjoy your treats x

Thanks guys!

Well from 4 payday loans, 2 large amounts racked up on store cards and three credit cards totaling about £4,000 i've managed to reduce this to about £650 with just the one small credit card and payday loan to clear! During this time i've also booked and paid all my holiday off, paid a lot out to move out and buy new things for the house and treated myself to a new wardrobe of clothes! all the small steps you take not gambling build up to massive ones over time!

The evidence continues to point towards recovery being the right choice for me and I will not destroy all the good work I have done

96 days gamble free.

Wonderful to read Stone, and getting near that 100 lovely milestone to reach, well done.

Suzanne xxx

I know so close! it's just the start really

Felt really good all week I think reducing my debts so much and finding out my uni results have taken a lot of anxiety away

One thing I am absolutely sick of is smoking. So today I hope to make the same commitment to stopping smoking as I have done with gambling and kick another filthy horrible addiction into touch!

97 days gamble free and Day 1 not smoking!

Its been a good week! Had very little anxiety yesterday aside. Things continue to come together nicely during recovery.

Read somewhere on this forum someone saying its not just about how long you can abstain for its about changing your mindset and making the most of your life and looking into what recovery involves for you. small changes are big in the long run and im beginning to see the benefits of that.

Still wanting to get back into football and running but not quite motivated enough yet, will happen soon enough though.

100 days gamble free tomorrow which is fantastic!

Fantastic to see 100 days today Stone, small changes makes huge differences for the better, as you are showing with your positive post, enjoy your milestone today and be proud,

Suzanne xxx

Welcome to Club 100 Stone 🙂

What a year you have had, working so hard to set yourself up for your future! Keep reaping the rewards of recovery, that mindset is changing & the motivation to do stuff you want to will come if you keep winning - ODAAT

Hey stoneroses. Great diary and really inspiring. I too had the problem of trying to study for my degree whilst battling with my addiction. You seeming to be doing really well and I'm really pleased you are heading on the right path. Especially as you are in your final year. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the messages of the support! Helps keep you going!

I've figured that even when im tired, stressed, bored, had a bad day, carrying bank cards, spending money, have days to myself, paying debts off, have money spare that gambling is no longer at the front of the mind all the things that used to push me to gamble no longer do so because I understand myself better, I dont want to gamble and with counselling I realise the damage it would do and that I dont need it in my life.

I do get some urges but they seem to come from nowhere and suddenly and disappear just as quickly.

My friend asked me to play him at pool for twenty quid the other night not sure if that would be classed as gambling but I told him it would be like offering gazza or george best just one beer. Not gambling for me means never spending a penny on any bets even lottery scratch card etc.

Had a very enjoyable weekend and looking forward to going on a date on thursday really hope things works out as a happy relationship is next on my list.

103 days gamble free. All the little changes I have made I look back now and can see how far I have come.

Winning at last.

Had a very productive counselling session on wednesday my counsellor is helping me with my anxiety trying to give me the skills to keep moving forward with my life and also talked quite a lot about keeping myself safe in terms of gambling and relapse prevention as it has been so long since i placed a bet. I genuinely have no wish to go back down those dark paths but understand this journey will never be complete its one that always needs work on!

I went on a date yesterday and it went brilliant! Im beginning to find happyness which I feel I deserve after what gambling did to me previously. I am full of ambition and drive and that is completely to do with not gambling. Have also fully moved out now into the city so life continues to be exciting and full of hope.

No bets today 106 days of winning

Had a mad dream last night that I won £10,000 playing bingo with my mum and dad! Where that has come from ive no idea think ive only ever been to bingo once in my life!

Had the odd urge here and there as money is a bit tight until payday but its all magical, irrational, faulty thinking that one big win would never happen and if it did it would all get spent and then some. I feel I have the skills and the understanding of myself to keep my safe and not to return to that first bet.

To be honest on the whole life is sweet at the moment and couldnt be going much better. Went to see Noel Gallagher at the weekene and go on holiday next month. The rewards are plain to see. 111 days gamble free.

Hi StoneRoses, I hadn't read your diary for some time & I am delighted how well you are doing. Huge congrats on the first class honours! You are making amazing changes in your life and you are right to say it is all about changing your mindset. Your diary shows just what can be achieved and you are reaping the benefits...that jumps out from the words of your diary. The counselling is really working for you and that is because you put in the effort. Take care, Suzy

Thanks Suzy! I appreciate your post! Its definitely about mindset and I think a key part of recovery is about finding things to fulfil your time that are worthwhile to keep you from slipping up and to accept what has happened in the past so you can march on into the future. The counselling has also been a big part of the jigsaw.

Went on a second date last night which went really well and I am enjoying my new life in the city.

Onwards and upwards. No bets today! Although have some days dont feel great I guess thats jusy a part of life and I accept that and dont need to gamble because of it. On the whole Its great to have my self esteem and confidence back so all things considered why should I ever return to those dark lonely paths!!

Money is a bit tight at the moment after booking a holiday, treating myself to clothes and moving out, so on a tight budget until I get paid in about 10 days. A quiet weekend of work planned and also to stay gamble free! 113 days gamble free 🙂 almost a third of the year!