First steps.

Hi,

Welcome to the place where we all share the same goal.

Treat each day as the next one free of this. I am not an expert, suffered several relapses over the years, and find myself back here...been here before but didn't take a really active role...finding reading and contributing is having s positive effect on me.

Most importantly you can beat this.

Cheers. One day at a time I suppose.its a step always looking to take but never had the courage.even after a couple of posts I know it's possible if you have the will to do it. Nice to see even though you relapsed you can still get through it

Hi paddy and welcome to the forum 🙂 

I'm no expert but on the advice front  I've been here a while gamble free and can honestly say that engaging with other posters was always the way forward for me  . 

It keep's you grounded and allows you to speak with others in a similar situation without fear of judgement and by reading the diary's of others allows you to learn what makes us tick and what we can do to protect ourselves from those gambling urges . 

I'm not sure what your poison of choice was , online , casinos , dog's horses ect ? but there are many thing's you can put in place in order that they become less accessible which will help on the road to recovery , so if you need any info just ask and someone will answer or contact admin 🙂   

I'm sure we'll talk again but until we do I wish you well 🙂

Alan 

Welcome Paddy.

Have a read around. Start by looking at a few posts from us 3.

All at slightly different stages, all with slightly different advice, but also lots of common themes in what works for us. 

You need to find your own way and like you, I’m a pretty private person. I’ve found a few ways around it and now 160+ days gamble free (which I never thought possible). Well done for being here and keep checking in. 

And who knew that paddy was such a naughty word! 

Hello all I’m also new and starting my journey to sort myself out! 

Hi

The recovery program is a way of us learning how unhealthy I was but more important how I could heal and become whole and healthy once more.

Isolating myself, living in many fears, telling so many lies, was not a healthy way for me to live my life.

With each lie my levels of fear grew even more.

The recovery program helped me face and reduce my fears and live a full productive life.
There was a time I thought and felt that life was boring and today there are not enough hours in the day, I do know that the world did not change for me, but I have in fact became more motivated in much healthier ways today.

By writing down my needs, writing down my wants, and writing down my goals I was going to extend myself in so many ways.

By writing down things I am getting more focused on things in my life.

By writing down things I am getting more clarity and understand setting best sequences to get things done.

Because of my fears and nervousness lack of confidence and low self esteem I found it hard to stay focused on one thing at a time.

I found that change was hard for me.

Now I adapt more and am more flexible to changes in my life today.

Please keep going to meetings, you will benefit from it in so many ways.

Love and peace to every one.

Dave L

AKA Dave of Beckenham

So today being Friday and pay day for me,usually I have a couple of lucky 15s done for today's racing.

After work on a Friday I usually head straight to the bookies to see what I've won or mostly lost.

Today I can gladly say that it doesn't interest me to do either,but at the same time as to not get carried away with this feeling because tomorrow will be a new day which could bring different urges towards gambling.but that's tomorrow.for today I'm happy with life and being gambling free.

Hi Paddy .

Feel's kinda strange and a bit alien not to be following the usual pattern of event's that keep us in that cycle of destruction doesn't it 🙂 . 

But the day's do add up mate and continue to grow into weeks and months . 

Wishing you well buddy and have a great weekend 🙂 

Cheers.hardest part is trying to keep busy after work.think I may dust down the fishing rods.

Might be a good call now you’ll have a bit more time in your hands ??.   Good luck and no stories of the one that got away ? . 

So today being my 8th week GF,you'd think I feel brilliant about it. Far from it.my mental health is excellent at moment.family life is great.away on family break at moment, but with the football starting back I was fighting with myself all day over not allowing myself to do football bet.i know if I go in to do 1,then it's the horses,dogs and virtuals again. Feeling first 2 or 3 weeks of season going to be tough but I know if I can get past that I'll be happy.haven't missed gambling last few weeks until today.