Hello all - I'm not great at forums but on the 27th May 2018 I stopped gambling. I read a book called the Easy Way to Quit Gambling by Allen Carr (not the comedian!) after seeing it recommended on here. I joined this forum on 10th June 2018 and began checking in weekly, writing my blog/recovery diary and generally succeeding.
I guess I felt the need to stop coming here so frequently, this is my first check in since September 2018 I believe, because I do believe that book helped me that I'll honestly never even dream of gambling another day in my life.
My 1 year 'anniversary' is coming up, no bets, no nothing. Completely clean, not even thought about gambling myself. I wont say its been easy, because it wasn't. But believe this - each day that passes, it becomes slightly easier. Just ever so slightly!
I came to realise that the void I was experiencing in my life from gambling, my depression, my mood swings, my social anxiety, my introversion and my general lack in confidence all came from the one "escape" I had from them. I know it sounds farfetched as when you first go 'cold turkey', you feel like you're missing out on something - you're not. You're actually raising yourself back up to point 0. There was a time before you started gambling, no matter what life circumstances were, where you weren't subject to the gambling trap. Thats point 0. The void feeling can disappear, as actually by giving up gambling, you're gaining worthy things in your life rather than filling it with chased dreams on a horse that never actually romps home.
1 year may seem trivial to some, I respect that people have relapsed after a much greater amount of time, but I wanted to come on here and celebrate my accomplishment. I look back over the last 51 weeks and the number of things I've been able to do (completely renovate my house, pay for a holiday for me and my OH, spend more time with friends and family, start a business and much much more). None of that would have happened if I had still been gambling, so thank god I'm not.
If I can do it - so can you. You just need to start thinking a bit more freely around how gambling is actually affecting you. I highly suggest you do read the book, I may sound like a rambling hippie, but I honestly believe I will ever gamble another day in my life ever again.
E
Hi Egdam :))
Huge congratulations on your forthcoming year of being gamble free a massive achievement and one that you should be very very proud of :)) .
I know how difficult this addiction can be to shake off so doff my hat to you .
From your post I can see how much change this has brought about in your life and that your very optomistic about the future for which you have now set the foundation of .
Nothing wrong with rambling either as one of my old friends on here would always say " It's better to ramble than gamble " .
Wishing you well for your continued success and thanks for the positive post to show things really do change :))
Regards
Alan
A true inspiration. Huge congrats.
1 year is my initial aim and i’m Really pleased that you’ve achieved it.
Waw thats fantastic- just read your story and you have inspired me even more - i have been gamble free 83 days and i am very pleased with myself. I look forward to my life now like you . I’ve done so many things.
Well done on the year.
Go do another
Totally inspirational. A huge congratulations to you, you have achieved so much and should be very proud.
Hi Egdam
Thank you so much for posting your journey and learning on our forums, which I am sure will be a great inspiration to others. You're right, people attach different meanings to day counts and milestones, but what's important is that you recognise that, for you personally, this is an achievement - along with all the other life changes that you made when you stopped gambling. It is indeed reason to celebrate.
Warm regards
Leigh
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