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Good to meet you in the chat Adam!
You are doing really well. Try not to have spare money hanging around. I can be a big temptation. Can you get a friend or family member to hold on to it for you? I banned from 2 casinos this week. Ever consider banning?
Try GA Adam and counselling if possible.
Remember you are not alone.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Take small steps. The road to recovery is a far nicer place than the road to ****!
Keep posting!

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I took a sleeping tablet an hour ago…still no sleep….

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Today was fine thanks Geordie!
Life goes on!
Good memories overuled the bad…
No thoughts of gambling today. Maybe my sis is pulling strings for me!
Early night tonight…I’m so FAT !

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B!
Just imagine your man in the casino telling me he ll never forget me…WOW!
I wonder should I have slipped him my mobile number?
If only I was ten years younger…or 20…
By the way I was in the bank today and a girl collapsed out cold on the floor…taken away by ambulance.

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Definitely turning off the lights now G!
It’s my sister’s 2nd anniversary tomorrow.
My daughter and I are going to the Hill of Tara to make some connection with past spirits..
Then to an anniversary Mass in the evening…
So no gambling!
I have just polished off a box of chocs…on top of a Thai meal we had in Dublin…Im cross-eyed with migraine!
Good morning!

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Hi Diva!
Having a list of reasons why you cannot and should not gamble sounds great. I had lots of lists. Making it IMPOSSIBLE to tear up those lists and changing your resolve is even better still. Like having NO money available. Like planning every minute of your time. Like packing the bags of the b/f who seems to be your biggest trigger….
strange the way everything changes when "I" change..
Don’t look back. Don’t look forward. Try to focus on today. It’s all we have Diva!
Hope springs eternal!

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Just missed you on the chat G…I was unravelling wires …I have about 5 plugs connected to a thing under the bed…hope I dont get electrocuted…..Imagine driving a 7.5 tonne truck…I can barely keep a Hyundai 1 10 on the road!

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Entering Day 3 now Sherry…
Middle of the night here!
I think about Marilee a lot and hope and pray she s ok because her health was giving her trouble…
keep posting!

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Belated Happy Birthday G!
I was going to say "put the bottom teeth where the monkey put the bad nut" but that would be a very vulgar thing for a respectable Irish woman to say, wouldn’t it!
The dentist told me that my bottom teeth are perfect! (pity about the uppers) He said I have teeth in the gums that never came through!!!!Probably lodged in my brain!!! Maybe that’s what has me gone daft…strange thing! If the bottom teeth needed treatment it would all be covered by the private health insurance my husband has paid all his working life but ther is no cover for the "uppers"….It could only happen in Ireland!
Geordie, if you get a chance read about my "banning " experience in Dublin tonight!
The plot thickens!
 

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Went to city centre with my daughter tonight. Asked her what she thought of coming into a couple of casinos to impose  a self-ban. She agreed but didn’t see the reason as she is convinced I havent gambled for 18 months. I explained that it is better to have as many barriers as possible set up in case temptation every arises.
The first place had a very tiugh looking security guy on the door. I asked to see the manager. I was told I would need to call back tomorrow. The guy at the desk was very slow to give me the managers name , asking what the nature of my business was. He eventually gave the name and we left saying we will call back tomorrow.
On to the second "paradise" which is the "head office" of where I banned 2 days ago. Dr Quirkey’s Good Time (yea right!) Emporium….The chinese girl in the office was VERY reluctant to call the manager. Again wanted to know what I wanted him for. "Private business", I said! . After a few minutes a very nice (Irish) guy appeared with a security guy standing behind him. I asked what was Dr Quirkey’s policy on self exclusion. He told me that the person being banned would have his/her photo put into a portfolio and would never be allowed to enter the premises again. I asked if banning was a regular prictice. He said they do it "all the time"! I explained that I knew somebody who had self-excluded from their other branch and that there was no mention of a photograph. He said "they will need to go back to the Irish manager to clarify things because the other guy is due to leave that casino shortly"…!!! He asked if the "person" being banned was a regular customer. I replied that the person in question was ME!…He seemed genuinely surprised and said " you are not a customer , I have never seen you before." I explained that I had a gambling problem and that I was making sure I would be "safe" whenever I was in the city. He said he had never heard of a woman seeking to be banned but several men have done so. I asked "what about taking a photograph". He said "youve already been picked up on camera and I will never forget you"!!!! I asked what if he s on his day off and I try to come in. He told me not to worry that the security will be well instructed that I am banned!!. We shook hands and I left…
My daughter was not at all convinced that his method would prevent a person who was intent on gambling entering that casino to play slot machines…
Personally, I would not venture in there ever again…….

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MEESOUL, I AM GOING TO CHANGE THE TENSES AND THE SENTENCE STRUCTURE IN YOUR POST.
REREAD IT AND MAYBE YOU WILL SEE WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN FROM A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT…
"I FEEL I will not be able to stop, so I convince myself that I will not stop. If I do not stop, things will get worse (CG IS A PROGRESSIVE DISEASE) I know it is possible to be healed from this addiction (not cured but healed). It is not enough to say that I am really sorry. If I want help I need to reach out and accept what is being freely given to me…
Meesoul I write these words for myself and for you!

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Most CGs "slip and fall" Jim!
Not me though!
I "jump and crash, so while you were doing the former, I was doing the latter!
No judgements!
No moralising!
No preaching!
Are we even allowed to say "TUT TUT"?
My answer is a hard, sharp kick up the kyber and straight back to the recovery seat before you even get a chance to lick those wounds…………..
We are not novices any more so it’s time to shape up!
 

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Geordie, maybe you can get a few sleep aids in the health food shop to tide you over…Im addicted to sleeping tabs now so I would not recommend then except for very short term use…There a site called EFT…google it. I find it great…takes you through a series of TAPPING in the meridian points…get one that gives instruction and follow every step exactly and it really will help. GOODNIGHT!

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Geordie, the idea of a PACT promotes honesty, fellowship, even a bit of fun and keeps us grounded and encourages us to be accountable. Sort of like the boyscouts…united we stand,divided we fall, sort of arrangement…I LOVE it!

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Sherry if you could get somebody to patent and license that idea it would be a great deferrent for CGS!
There must be somebody out there who could get it up and running.
Self exclusion in Ireland is word of mouth only. No paperwork. No gaurantee that a CG will be stopped from entering but I was told that if I do get in start playing a machine without being noticed that I wont get paid if the machine wins . Imagine walking away from a jackpot. If you are seen, your machine will be turned off and you ll be asked to leave. If you refuse the security will remove you!
Now who in their right mind would invite that negavite attention and stress.
Deep down Sherry, I’m proud!
I would not lower myself by losing face with these creeps!
So , our pact is safe.
Please hang in here with me!
PS things much calmer with hubby, but not great communication…"wayward" son is keeping his distance. Only makes brief appearances and when he starts his antics, I disappear!
How’s your mom Sherry? Still gambling?
You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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