One day at a time

I would hesitate to class myself as a "Success story" now fully aware that I am and always will be a gambler, only one slip away from returing to my bad old ways. My last bet was on 18th August, 2007 the bulk of the credit for this goes to unstinting support I received from my Number 1 supporter and the lady who first told me about the Gamcare website....my wife.

Although we were many miles apart, me in Scotland and she in Canada we talked occasionally, then more & more often until it blossomed into every night. From there we met up and got engaged, married the following year and while it would be untrue to say we have lived happily ever after....we have lived gamble free.

While I found the recovery diary a fabulous way to put down my own personal thoughts, receive the well wishes / advice of others in similar situations. I honestly could not have made it without the love / support of someone truly special to me.

I think it's important not to set up any specific targets or to think too far into the future, each day is an achievement, another step in the right direction. Reading other people's diaries also gave me ideas of finding ways to occupy my time better, how to deal with the urges when they became almost over powering and to step away from the temptation to bet.

Initially I had to accept I had a problem, which in itself was difficult as I thought I had things under control, could stop IF I wanted too (Not true) The journey was certainly not easy, I had a slip up on the way but realised I needed to get right back and start again, learning from

my mistakes. As the days became, weeks, then months into years gambling has become of no interest to me at all, although I am fully aware that all it takes is one bet, the rush of always backing a winner and I could be right back where I started, only worse as I would know

how badly I have let myself down and worse still my wife who deserves so much better. Even today some years on my stupidity still

causes us problems, my lack to future planning (No pension, life insurance etc) all that money wasted, thrown away, the time / energy

which could have been put to much better use. I can't change my past, but I CAN ensure a better future and that is what I am doing today

taking one day at a time.....Today I did not gamble, I don't need to say it out loud, or tell anyone but I can look my wife in the eye and smile

together we can enjoy OUR lives gamble free. When I see her smile, those sparkling eyes, I know I can never disappoint her.

I hope others are as lucky as I feel I am, find someone special that will support / encourage and inspire you to a better life.

I am not "cured" but I am happy and don't feel any need to return to gambling for any false hopes it may bring.

We are all different and may take varying routes...but I thank Boxey (Sharon) for finding Gamcare which helped me onto the right path.