Well, here we are. I am now 4 years without a bet - September 2012 was my last bet and focused on the year ahead. This was all after gambling for around 28 years - from 16! You know what, I still miss betting and would still love a bet - a footy coupon on a Saturday, Cheltenham. It will never leave me as it was a passion I really enjoyed. Some of it and in particular Sports betting I was very good at (luck perhaps) but was sucked in by the casino play eventually and lost a lot - the amount is irrelevant, the damage is the relevance.
Despite missing a cheeky wee accumulator on the footy or the odd horse race I also know that any bet I ever made would just grant me my misery, stress and time away from kids and wife. I could win again but could also lose again and it's the latter I now see clear as day!
People use blockers on computers, ban themselves from casinos or bookies - all great and worthwhile but you also need the blockers in your head. You need a focus and any momentary lapse of thought should be immediately followed by a return to your thoughts at the very moment you decided to quit in the first place. Sounds easy and perhaps callous but you need something to stop bad enough, you'll stop but use any and all the available help out there.
I mention my ongoing passion for gambling only to reiterate the point that it never leaves you and you really need to fight against it every day. Good luck everyone. Here's to my 5th year.
Well done and thank you for taking the time to post an update it really spurs you on to hear such success stories and I totally agree you have to change your thought process, have will power, motivation and the blockers to stop. I'm day 88 and never going back to the pits of gambling but know you have to stay on guard. Best wishes for a safe and happy xmas x
Hey its great that you still take the time to post after more than 4 years GF. Its encouraging that despite the thoughts and memories of gambling you highlight the need to focus on the negative effects of gambling and mind control needed to conquer the never-ending threat.
Hi Vesalius73,
Well done for your great achievement, and thanks for sharing your good news which I find rather encouraging to other forum users as well.
I agree with you that one must try and stay focused all the time to avoid the temptation to gamble again. Yes, it’s hard work but, it’s worth the effort. To have been able to abstain for 4 good years is something to be proud of, and it also shows it’s doable.
I’m glad when you wrote: “Here’s to my 5th year” as it shows your determination to continue with the abstinence, and which is progress too.
I wish you all the best as you start your 5th year of being gamble free, and hope you stay gamble free forever.
Kind regards,
Beatrice
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