[CraigMac6]

Hello all,

Here I am checking in today, making my promise to not make any bets today. I can’t lie, I have thought a lot about gambling lately. I know it’s that little voice in my head telling me it will be okay to bet, but I know deep down it will not be okay to place a bet because it controls me. It’s an addiction. Of course the addiction wants me back. I know things will get better with every passing day. Today, no gambling! Be well all!

[CraigMac6]

Thanks to everyone who has posted and took time to lend a little encouragement or help. I’m still doing ok. My mind a few moments the other day where I was trying to rationalize gambling to allow for a bet. I can control the bet. If I just do one a day, I’ll be okay. I can win. Blah blah blah. It’s all a lie. You see I’m a sports bettor. That’s my addiction. Sports wagering has cost me so much money. Bankruptcy twice. Loss of trust from my wife. Not only the money but the time. The moments away from my family just to get my fix. The mood swings- the high when I win, the misery when I lose. The constantly checking of my phone to get a score. Spending my last dollar even though my family needs food or I need gas. All of those tough times have been a direct result of my gambling. So when my mind tried to rationalize making a sports wager, I really had to tell myself, if I could truly win and I could control my gambling why haven’t I done so? What would change this time? The answer is nothing. If I place that bet I’ll be right back at square one because I’m powerless over gambling. That’s the truth. I’m happy with that decision to not place the wager but I know there is still a lot of temptation ahead. Especially on payday. I know I need to stay closer to this site and lean on others for support, and vise versa.
Kataja- thanks for posting. I’m sorry to hear of your story but despite the tough situation you are in; you can still bounce back. You can still make life worth it again. Gambling will make it worse. Each day we gamble we set ourselves back. You can do this! Lets not gamble today! We will worry about tomorrow, tomorrow!

[CraigMac6]

Thanks for the comment, Kin. Today has been a little difficult but I am here to make my pledge to not gamble today. Who knows what the future holds but for today, for this moment, I know I do not want to go down the gambling road. It’s not worth it.
Embrace the struggle! It will build character!!

[CraigMac6]

Obviously I didn’t last more than a day before I went back to gambling. I don’t have all the answers, and to be real, I’m just scared. Scared if I can do this. Just broken but at the same time, I know I can’t live this way. The impact gambling has on me is far more than just financially. I’m so much better of a person and more productive without it in my life. As with most of us, the addiction has just gotten worse and worse with each year until it’s spiraling out of control. I have a plan of action to help me and I have steps I’m going to take when the addiction comes calling because I know it will. It’s easy to get through the days when I’m broke, it’s hard to say no when it’s payday or I get some “extra” money. I’m going to keep fighting. Thanks for the support all.

[CraigMac6]

Good day all.
Here I am on day two feeling very grateful. Usually there is so much regret in my mind- and I do have a lot of regret- but I’m trying to focus on the positives and live in the moment.
Like all of us, I was such a selfish person during my gambling years. Yes I provided the necessities for my children but that was about it. The rest of the money was for my addiction. Im using that as motivation to continue being free from gambling. Gambling took so many things from me and I allowed it by my choices. I don’t want gambling to define who I am, and determine how I live my life. As mentioned above we must take this one day at a time. That’s the only way for success.
Being grateful to today. Being grateful for not having to watch a game all day just to feed my addiction. Instead, I will do something productive with my time.
Thanks for reading everyone. Lets stay positive and focus on the good!
Be well
Craig

[CraigMac6]

Thank you Cruising. I’ve read your thread and I love your outlook on the one day at a time mentality.
If I put as much effort into my quit (coming here, supporting others, going to meetings,etc) as I did unto sports betting, I have no other option than a successful quit. Thanks for your support!

[CraigMac6]

Hello,
Thanks for sharing your story and being here. I can honestly say, I’m sure almost all of us can relate to you on being changed because of gambling. Gambling does the same to all of us. It controls us and impacts our lives in a negative manner.
I’m here again after many failed attempts of becoming gambling free, and one of the biggest motivations for me is I don’t want gambling to define me or my life. I want to live life on my terms without an addiction controlling me every move and thought.
Keep coming here daily and I think you will find success.
Be well.

[CraigMac6]

Hello all,

Day 3 has been tough. My mind is playing tricks on me. My mind is trying to convince me that I can control my gambling and I can sports bet just a couple games a week that are guaranteed winners. I know I don’t work like that. I know my an addict that is an impulsive gambler. I can’t control it. If I could, I wouldn’t be here.
A lot of mind challenges but my focus is in the moment. I hope all of you are having a great day. Short on time.
Be well!
Day 3!!

[CraigMac6]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your story sounds so familiar because it’s the same as mine. I’m a sports betting addict and I’m out of control with my wagers as well. I did the exact same thing you did when a wager was going to lose, go bet another game to win it back. It would never end well. Instead of black jack, I would bet live in play tennis. That’s usually quick. Gosh what a mess.
Anyway, I can relate to you. I’ve closed out my sportsbook account as well, but I’m not sure if it helps. Because a simple call can get it reopened. If we have a will to gamble we will find a way, but for me, right now my mental focus is to focus on improving my life and understanding how gambling impacts my life in every way. Even if we win, we still lose because our addictive minds don’t know when to stop. I’ve been gambling for 11 years and I’ve never been ahead of my bills because I will spend every dollar I can on my addiction. I don’t want to live like that. I’m order to change, we must change our mindsets.
Day 2 for me! See you tomorrow!

[CraigMac6]

I’m still here. Attended my 2nd meeting since my clean date. I have really focused on making positive changes in my life, rather than worrying/focusing on my next game to wager on. No longer chasing the action. It feels good but it’s still definitely a struggle.
Wanted to check in and I hope all of your are doing well!
Lets do this!

[CraigMac6]

Я все еще здесь. Присутствовал на моей второй встрече со дня чистоты. Я действительно сосредоточился на позитивных изменениях в своей жизни, вместо того, чтобы беспокоиться / сосредоточиться на своей следующей игре, чтобы делать ставки. Больше не гоняться за действием. Приятно, но это определенно борьба. Хотела заселиться, надеюсь, у всех у вас все хорошо! Давай сделаем это!

[CraigMac6]

Hello Step,

After reading your post I had to respond to this one. Like you, I’m an addict to gambling and I have no control over it.
I used chewing tobacco for many years and I’m nearly 6 years quit this August but I can totally relate to you about waking up, not being sure if you relapsed. I had several times during the first year of my dipping quit where I work up and thought I had caved. I was so pissed, it was surreal. However, after some time passed, I was grateful it was just a “dip” dream. Like anything, they won’t last. We only get better with our addiction with time.
Keep on keeping on!!

Be well.

[CraigMac6]

Hallo Step, Na het lezen van je bericht moest ik hierop reageren. Net als jij ben ik verslaafd aan gokken en heb ik er geen controle over. Ik heb jarenlang pruimtabak gebruikt en ik ben in augustus bijna 6 jaar gestopt, maar ik kan me helemaal in je vinden over het wakker worden, niet zeker of je een terugval kreeg. Ik was tijdens het eerste jaar van mijn dip verschillende keren gestopt waar ik werkte en dacht dat ik was gezwicht. Ik was zo kwaad, het was surrealistisch. Na enige tijd was ik echter dankbaar dat het slechts een "droom" was. Zoals alles, zullen ze niet blijven bestaan. We worden alleen maar beter met onze verslaving met de tijd. Ga door met doorgaan!! Wees goed.

[CraigMac6]

Привіт, Крок! Після прочитання твого допису мені довелося відповісти на це. Як і ви, я залежний від азартних ігор, і не маю на це контролю. Я багато років вживав жувальний тютюн, і я майже 6 років кинув у серпні цього року, але можу повністю розповісти вам про те, що ви прокинулися, не будучи впевненим, що у вас рецидив. Я протягом кількох разів протягом першого року мого занурення кидав, де працював і думав, що я похитнувся. Я був настільки розлючений, це було сюрреалістично. Однак через деякий час я був вдячний, що це був просто сон про “занурення”. Як і все, вони не протримаються. Із залежністю ми з часом тільки покращуємося. Продовжуйте продовжувати !! Добре.

[CraigMac6]

हेलो स्टेप, आपकी पोस्ट पढ़ने के बाद मुझे इसका जवाब देना था। आपकी तरह मैं भी जुए का दीवाना हूं और इस पर मेरा कोई नियंत्रण नहीं है। मैंने कई सालों से तंबाकू चबाया है और इस अगस्त में मैंने लगभग 6 साल छोड़ दिए हैं, लेकिन मैं पूरी तरह से जागने के बारे में आपसे संबंधित हो सकता हूं, यह सुनिश्चित नहीं कर सकता कि आप फिर से आ गए हैं। मैंने अपनी डुबकी के पहले वर्ष के दौरान कई बार काम छोड़ दिया था और सोचा था कि मैं गिर गया था। मैं बहुत नाराज था, यह असली था। हालाँकि, कुछ समय बीत जाने के बाद, मैं आभारी था कि यह सिर्फ एक "डुबकी" सपना था। किसी भी चीज़ की तरह, वे नहीं रहेंगे। हम केवल समय के साथ अपनी लत के साथ बेहतर होते जाते हैं। पर रखने रहें!! ठीक रहें।

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