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Hi SJ,
It’s so nice to see you posting again .
Family drama – I’m sure we can all identity with that one – it’s so nice when there is peace .
I get what you mean about starting recovery on a deeper level- sometimes for me it seems to be all about not gambling rather than really living.
Hope to see you in group later . Xx

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Hi Kin,
I hope things are going well with you.
Xx

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Day 26
Skipped groups last night and went to be earlier .
I feel much better today after my extra sleep.

I am aware I am feeling a little anxious today.

I am a very resilient person. I realise today that this is not always a good thing.
Very resilient people stick bad situations for far too long when they should have left years before. It is time for me to really look at my life and change the things which don’t make me feel 100% happy.
A simple change I can start making right now is my health. Today I am going to become more aware of what I eat- the endless and mindless munching on chocolate , crisps etc has left me obese and unfit . I can start that change right now .

Being gamble free clears my brain to think things through- not just gambling .

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Thank you mIcky – the days will build up quickly Micky .
I am three days off four weeks .
That’s not bad
Urges come most days but I handle them .
I find my thread so helpful nowadays –
Full of support and encouragement .

Tonight I am not doing groups – I find they are helpful to me – by so is sleep. My brain is settling and I know I need to prioritise rest , diet and exercise .
I have never looks after myself – but I can change that –
The simplest thing to change is to get more sleep !
So nite nite all.

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Hi Brucey ,
Well done on Starting a thread –
None of us think it will happen to us – so we are powerless to stop ourselves becoming addicted .
However now that we know we have this addiction we can take steps to stop.
I hope to meet you in chat again soon .

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Hi Lizbeth,
You sound so alive and happy in your post .
Yes it’s hard for others when we fill our time and are no available all the time – but they will get used to it .
I sometimes think saying no makes people respect us all the more .
I take it you didn’t need the Epsom salts bath lol.

Hope you enjoy tomorrow.

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Hi David .
Well done on starting a thread and recognising you have a problem.
You will get lots of support on here.
Do you gamble online ?
Have you taken any steps to protect your money ?
It’s hard to stop gambling but many people do it and so can you

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Hi TTA,
Not one of us on here can afford to judge anyone .
We have all the same addiction even though it may have taken us to different places .
I have never stolen for example – but have I – I have deprived my family of my time, luxuries and my focus .
I am so glad you are finding the site supportive .
I too am finding it really helpful – there is such a great group of people on here and as you say we are encouraging and understanding each other which makes it easier .m to stay focused on recovery .

Thank you for your continued support – I enjoyed chat last night also !

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Hi Micky ,
I try to post every day and it t really helps Me.
I find the encouraging posts on my thread reward me for my efforts .
Please really make an effort to post every day – or even twice a day .
There is something about writing down our thoughts and our number of days that so very motivating .

Great to see you here

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Hi Nick,
I guess it is harder to resist urges when we have money but most of us could get our hands on money if we really wanted to. Day 10 is fabulous – especially as you are using the time constructively to read about how and why we become addicted . It makes very interesting reading and reminds us that we are not bad people – it’s just our brain chemistry.

Nick I feel payday will come and go and while you may have some urges you are really determined to get that deposit – your reading had reminded you that there is no quick and easy way – steady saving will guarantee you that down payment .

Nick are there any extra precautions you could take to ensure you cannot gamble once the pay hits your account- like maybe stick your cards in the post and post them to yourself? – that would give you a few days .

Keep strong, keep posting
Xx

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Thank you everyone ,
Will try get to post you all later- been incredibly busy.

Day 25 – gambling thoughts still there but seem to be over powered by determination right now .

Busy , stressed and a little overwhelmed – but not gambling.

Getting close to four weeks .
My thread is really helpful now -no longer dreading the responses or feeling I have to defend myself for my thoughts – I am just feeling supported and capable of sustaining this .
Feeling grateful

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Thank you TTA and Nick
I guess we all have our own story to tell – it’s hard to pinpoint how any of us ended up where we did, but I do wish we hadn’t .
We are good people who did not deserve this – I guess bad things happen to good people .

Today I am not reflecting on the loss of money or time – but on the loss of opportunity .
I watch as others enjoy the status and financial rewards of doing the role I could have had- if i had not been too distracted by gambling . I can blame others , I can say my face didn’t fit , I can play the victim- but my focus was elsewhere .
Dragging myself to work after a night spent gambling is not the best way to “get ahead”.

What’s left for me to do is pick up the pieces and glue them back together – th pieces of so many parts of my life , and perhaps after several coats of fresh paint they will be like new .

Feeling regretful but aware

Day 24

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Hi TTA , thank you for your post on my thread .
You are so right – it is incredible how far our money goes when we are gamble free. After all we are used to being “careful” about spending on just about everything except gambling.

I get days like that when I look back and think what a mess I have made – but I guess all we can really do is look forward and plan a better future .
Xx

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Just in case you drop by – a little hello and I hope it’s all going well.
Xx

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Good luck for tomorrow Lizbeth .
I will be thinking of you – you brave and incredible lady !
Xx

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