[micky]

Day 22 and not one urge today, im keeping my spends diary , exercise diary , budget and everyday things to do notes well and truely priority and everything else falls into place after that .

[micky]

Day 21 – Problem Gambling 0 – Micky 21. Yes 21 days = 3 weeks . Had three urges yesterday but did not act on them , phoned a friend ( my phone a friend when i get the urge ) . Last night i took stock of what i had achieved yesterday (pay day) , simple things like food in the cupboards, food in the fridge, toilet rolls in the bathroom, kitchen rolls in the kitchen, petrol in the car, but most of all peace of mind . Slept okay and awoke looking forward to a new day i think it’s called being in control and making the right choices. I’m budgeting weekly on an allowance i have decided on for myself which means all bills, dd’s and most importantly my creditors get paid. I know it’s going to be a long 10 months with half of my salary going to creditors but it’s something to look forward to and aim for . It’s a light at the end of the tunnel , when not so long ago i didn’t have a tunnel never mind a light. If anyone out there is feeling hopeless and helpless , please reach out and get help it is there if you look for it , i am with a debt management company called step change ( they are a charity and don’t charge a fee so all money you pay them go’s to your creditors ) Also don’t be ashamed to pick up the phone and speak to the samaritans if you feel you can’t cope they will listen . I hope this helps anyone who finds themselves in the position i was in. I thought i had lost everything when i was sent to prison but i never gave up giving up, i chose life.

[micky]

Day 19 and going strong and loving my gambling free time, so much to do and so little time to do it . Payday tomorrow and my day is mapped out , ive used the last 19 days to my advantage , budgeting with £160 and i still have £17 left. It hasn’t been easy but ive got there with alot of determination and willpower. The spends diary and daily exercise have been a winner ( pardon the pun ) plus the alcohol free has kept my head clear to make the right choices. 🙂 I have been to see the doctor and a community pyschiatric nurse but at the end of the day self-help is very important because once you walk out of their door your on your own again. I have also self referred to the only NHS problem gambling clinic in england , unfortunately it is in london and has a waiting list of up to 8 weeks due to the number of people being referred ( so were certaintly not alone) .I’m more determined than ever to beat this addiction. Micky. 🙂

[micky]

17 not out and enjoying my problem gambling free days , phone rings and i answer it , my confidence is growing all the time . House clean , cats fed, me clean , me fed , it’s a great feeling. 🙂

[micky]

Close call there Mike, pleased you didn’t lose and you have come out of it very positive and self excluded . You just have to learn from it and go forward again 🙂

[micky]

It’s day 16 for me and what a last 14 days its been, two weeks ago i wrote something down ” I choose life” . In those 14 days i have fronted up to my DEBTS ( got a decent debt management company to look after them for me) . Stopped DRINKING ALCOHOL ( my head is clear and i can think straight) . Stopped GAMBLING ( Only one winner now ME ) Started BUDGETING MY MONEY PROPERLY ( Writing everything i spend down in a spends diary) Started EXERCISING (everyday 40 mins on exercise bike- feel great) Drew A LINE ( under all the things that were dragging me down mentally) And the most IMPORTANT of all concentrating on myself and my youngest son’s well being. 🙂

[micky]

No worries Sad it’s constructive nagging, ive had £110 to live on since the 26th of september and i havn’t gambled that so i must be doing something right 🙂 Also on payday most of my salary is spoken for. I am planning my days now so i have a routine to follow and am sticking to a daily budget writing everything down . I am also exercising everyday and feel much better physically and mentally . I can see a much better future now for me and my son 🙂 Also not drinking is helping enormously , everythings easier with a clear head . Also if do get the urge i have a friend who i can call at anytime . Thanks for the advice it’s good to know someone cares and knows what im going through . 🙂

[micky]

Yes i will check them out thanks SAD 🙂

[micky]

Hi Sad and Vera im still here , well done sad on 3 weeks. 🙂 im not so good at the moment mentally health wise , im going to docs and i have an appointment witha psychiatric nurse this thursday . I feel as if ive reached a crossroads in my life , im 50 years old and want this madness to stop . I am getting as much help as i can get, but as you know it isn’t easy, so im also doing lots of self help too. Will keep you posted. Thanks for asking after me. Micky.

[micky]

im not doing very well, went to doctors yesterday and asked him for help, im being referred to a mental health team and a psychiatrist . He’s given me a month off work for now , im sick of being sick.

[micky]

I’m really annoyed with myself to say the least but i can’t change what happened only what will happen in the future. I still have light in the tunnel 🙂

[micky]

Hi sad i had a relapse on sunday and tried to get my money back on monday, fortunately i didn’t lose anymore but it means i’m back to square one again. If anything it has made me more determind to keep at it and i have already got back up and brushed myself down so to speak. Going to be another long 3 weeks but ive done it before 🙂

[micky]

Buckle up and hang on i like that one p, i sure am doing that 🙂

[micky]

Well done to you too Sad 🙂 lets keep it going 🙂

[micky]

Got back from london late last night, really enjoyed my stay with my brother and his wife. Went on the london eye and visited the “hunterian” museum tuesday, done the twickenham tour wednesday , visited R.A.F hendon museum on thursday . Also played badminton and got to see my nephew playing rugby. For the first time in a long time i had a bottle of lager and enjoyed it without the need to get drunk . I did get urges to gamble but didn’t act on them especially on the drive home when i was gambling in my head , placing the bet in my mind , but i also remembered the 7 t’s . Thank you for that one Sad it certaintly did the trick. Had a nice relaxing day today and feel good about myself . 🙂

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