6 months ago was payday. 6 months ago I decided to gamble my entire pay in one night. That was the money for my honeymoon. That was the money for me to live off. That was the end of my marriage. I did this knowing I would either come through it stronger, as a couple, or out on my own. Huge risk, no reward. I had to do it. I couldn’t go on gambling.Â
Today is payday. I have not gambled a single penny in those 6 months. My life has  turned upside down and it’s hard to say this, but mostly in a good way. Sure my life was better with someone, but it was a lie. I lied to myself which made me lie to others without thinking. I would give anything to go back and save my marriage, but if it meant being that person again, I wouldn’t.Â
Gambling took everything from me and doing this alone has been tough. I genuinely believe that doing it alone however has made me stronger. It’s made me detest gambling even more. That utter hatred keeps me going, to the point where I don’t even think about gambling. I have no urges. I only have hatred. Gambling took everything from me and I won’t let it even enter my mind now.Â
6 months is a timescale I never thought possible. Gambling was my life. My escapism, my way of dealing with life. Turns out I had to deal with life so much because I was gambling.
I am not fixed. This is not a 6 months, well done, all is good. This is simply a reflection of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve changed. I can do the things I want to now. I can enjoy my time. I’ll never not buy a birthday present for a loved one as I’ve gambled my money away. I can sleep. I can eat. I’m a real person and for once in my life I feel free.
6 months down. The rest of my life ahead. No doubts of my success moving forward, but under no illusion that I can fall. Blocks will always stay in place. Temptation will always be monitored. Honesty will forever be my goal. Complacency is not a word in my vocabulary anymore.Â
Thanks to all those who’ve been on their own journey and have stopped by to help me. I hope you too can find the freedom I have found. Thanks to gamcare and most importantly…
Stay strong 💪Â
AwesomeÂ
Yes fish! You have done so well and are an inspiration for me 🙂Â
You and me both Fish 🐟. We started this journey practically together and may we both continue to distance ourselves even further from the one thing that did nothing but bring us heartache in so many areas of our lives.
You are to be commended for your strength and courage over these last six months and for your commitment to not only your own diary but also to other diary users on here, including mine and I want to personally thank you for this 👏👏👏👏🙏.
May you continue to better your days as we both walk this path together. 🙏.
Have a lovely weekend and don’t forget - IT’s REWARD TIME!!! 😎
Your friend Pink Lady 🩷🍎
Great work mate, happy to see you doing so well.
Stay focused and a Happy and normal life is there if you want it.Â
G
Welldone mate it shows with abit of support and making few changes how life can drastically change i have learnt a few things from your journey and yes for any newbies life is better after a few months the issue with this addiction we are thrown into the deep end and get better with time it a slow process
fish never forget how far u come and how much u r helping others with ur words of wisdom u r a legend pal keep it going mateÂ
Thanks all, it’s truly humbling to have such good support in this forum. Although I’ve tackled this alone, I’ve never felt alone. To any newbies reading this, please join the chat rooms and engage with others. It will help you more than you can ever know. The people you meet will all have a similar story and will pick you up when you are down. In turn you can do the same to them. One big happy (or fighting to get there) family of misfits!
Stay strong 💪Â
great success over 6 months......lets get u to the year mark....all the best adam
Well done, it's brilliant and you totally deserve it.
I can relate to most of the things you have mentioned above. You know, the sheer feeling of being able to afford such simple items like a pair of shoes sometimes makes me scared. Because it immediately brings back the memories of not having the money to do it as I had just gambled it. I don't ever want to be in those situations again nor do I wish it on anyone. I get stressed remembering those memories.
I also commend you for doing your best to help others in here, people like yourself are needed in this community. I do follow your progress and it helps me quite a bit.
I wish you continued success in your quest to remain a non-gambler.
Take care (remember what Pink Lady has said and it's very important 'reward yourself').
ErgosÂ
A phenomenal achievement mate. An inspiration to all of us who are on the same journey as you.Â
Despite your battle, you always take the time to reply to my posts to keep me motivated.Â
legend mateÂ
It's great that you managed to control yourself; not everyone can do that. I want to share my experience of gambling for two years. I lost everything and borrowed money from friends and relatives, saying it was for business, but I just wasted it on gambling. It’s a terrible addiction that can ruin a person. I was under a lot of debt and very stressed. Then, my school teacher called me to his house and told me to read Surah Al-Ala whenever I felt like gambling. He said it would help me. Eventually, I learned to control myself, and now it has been five months since I last gambled. I am very grateful to my teacher and my parents.
6 months ago was payday. 6 months ago I decided to gamble my entire pay in one night. That was the money for my honeymoon. That was the money for me to live off. That was the end of my marriage. I did this knowing I would either come through it stronger, as a couple, or out on my own. Huge risk, no reward. I had to do it. I couldn’t go on gambling.Â
Today is payday. I have not gambled a single penny in those 6 months. My life has  turned upside down and it’s hard to say this, but mostly in a good way. Sure my life was better with someone, but it was a lie. I lied to myself which made me lie to others without thinking. I would give anything to go back and save my marriage, but if it meant being that person again, I wouldn’t.Â
Gambling took everything from me and doing this alone has been tough. I genuinely believe that doing it alone however has made me stronger. It’s made me detest gambling even more. That utter hatred keeps me going, to the point where I don’t even think about gambling. I have no urges. I only have hatred. Gambling took everything from me and I won’t let it even enter my mind now.Â
6 months is a timescale I never thought possible. Gambling was my life. My escapism, my way of dealing with life. Turns out I had to deal with life so much because I was gambling.
I am not fixed. This is not a 6 months, well done, all is good. This is simply a reflection of how far I’ve come and how much I’ve changed. I can do the things I want to now. I can enjoy my time. I’ll never not buy a birthday present for a loved one as I’ve gambled my money away. I can sleep. I can eat. I’m a real person and for once in my life I feel free.
6 months down. The rest of my life ahead. No doubts of my success moving forward, but under no illusion that I can fall. Blocks will always stay in place. Temptation will always be monitored. Honesty will forever be my goal. Complacency is not a word in my vocabulary anymore.Â
Thanks to all those who’ve been on their own journey and have stopped by to help me. I hope you too can find the freedom I have found. Thanks to gamcare and most importantly…
Stay strong 💪Â
Congratulations on six months of strength and resilience. It’s incredible to see how you've turned your life around, faced the truth, and found freedom. Your story is inspiring, and I’m sure it’ll give others the courage to keep going. Stay strong, and here’s to a future built on honesty and true happiness.💪
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