Hello all

Hiya.. sorry to hear about your return to gambling. 

In my experience barriers to gambling only help "up to a point". When we really want to gamble we will always find a way.

Time for some introspection. have a think about what drives you to gamble. have a think about what you could do differently when you next feel like a gamble, which will surely happen at some point.

For me I think a lot of my gambling has been triggered by having a lot of unstructured time, where I might wake up one morning and think "Ive got nout to do today, what shall i do??" o I know I will go and win some money and enjoy myself in the process. It never works out that way. My fall back position nowadays is going for a run or swim or a walk in nature. These things get me feeling good without losing all my money on a couple of hours of mindless slotting.

Think about how you can help yourself moving forward.

Hello S. A.,

Thank you very much for your advice I really appreciate your comments and I have followed your diary for years.

I Just feel quite sad today.

Going outside for a while for some fresh air.

Thanks again!  Time for some thought and reflection.

Toad

Good morning all, 

Day 5 and no gamble. I started gambling at age 27. I am now 47, that's 20 years.

The longest I have abstained in this period is 6 weeks.

My goal is to beat this. To affinity and beyond....... 

Best wishes to all in the gamcare family and have a great gamble free day. 

Let's make Toad great again.

Toad. 

Day 6 no gambling.

No urges today I hope you are all having a gamble free day. 

Toad. 

1 week no gambling.

I'm on the right path. Time to stay on this path to happiness and a better life. Please join me also on this path.

Best wishes, Toad. 

Hi Toad,

Well done on nearly a week.

You're doing the right thing putting all the blocks in place. Unfortunately, as we all know, these are not 100% effective 100% of the time. I certainly encourage doing them though. For example:

- Have you checked to see if you can block gambling transactions with your bank. I'm with Monzo and Halifax and I can with both

- Setup spending notifications on your online bank so that they are received by someone close to you (if available). Large cash withdrawals etc. can be hard to justify

The best other bit of advice I can give is to fill in any gaps with communication. By this I mean talk about your addiction with anyone who will listen. Not only will this help you emotionally but, possibly more importantly, it will become harder and harder to gamble (in secret) when so many people have 'eyes' on you.

For example, when I first quit I spoke to the landlord of my local pub so I couldn't the go and gamble in there (only one example but it certainly helped).

Wishing you all the best

Phil

Hello all, 

Thankyou only Phil for your advice. I watch your videos and they are really helpful. 

The great position I find myself. Or the not so great. I have barely any money in my account but yes I will look into putting blocks in. 

We all know when the money isn't there it certainly eliminates an urges. Mind you I am always on guard. 

So one week done but I must stay strong. 

My life needs to change dramatically and I know that. I have accepted that. 

Thanks again and good luck to all on here. 

Toad. 

Thought you had deserted us Toady.

You know what is required - difficulty is implementing it.

Best

Morning all, 

DAY 8

Having a very strong coffee ☕ this morning to wake up so tired. As this week has progressed I have become like a ?‍♂️. Zombie. 

Anyway down to business. Thank you Bal for your kind words very much appreciated. I have read your diary and received good advice from you and thanks. Did I listen...... No. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

I will try and stay positive no point in being negative as negative energy drains us all. 

Best wishes all ? have a great day. 

Toad. 

Hi Toad,

First of all I'm delighted you're back, It's wonderful to see you again. You know there's great support & advice on here but as Bal rightly says, it's time to implement it. 

Wishing You A Happy Gamble Free Life

AL

Thank you Slowlearner, 

At times like this a positive message from yourself means alot. So thank you.

I hope your journey is going well too. 

Feeling okay tonight. No gambling urges but as you say Slowlearner it's time to take action. I am like a cornered rat ? I must take action or I will destroy our future. I don't want that. I will take Bals and your  advice this time. Time for change. 

Best wishes

Toad. 

Toad,

Seeing you back means a lot to me too, I've often thought about you. When I first came here Bal had been GF for a lot longer than me & to be honest I had little faith in my recovery. I read his diary & thought if he can do it why can't I ?. All I'm saying is you could do a lot worse than listening to his advice. I know he's bluntly told you how it is before, but I've never doubted his motives. Trust me he just wants the best for you as we all do. You're a Good man who's fallen victim to a Bad addiction.

Sincere Best Wishes

AL

Good morning, 

Thanks Slow learner much appreciated. I feel like I'm a time traveller talking to you and Bal and I've went back in time. Back to the 'good old days' if there's such a thing around gambling.

I'm scraping together money for the car parking as travelling into work. When note's where being handed over in the bookies I wasn't worried much but  not now as I only have coins no notes. This is the result of my actions.

Anyway going to get a strong ☕ coffee. I feel okay today not happy or not sad. 

Time heals they say. I find myself wishing a few years have passed into recovery. Does anyone else wish their life away. I am also wishing a week is over as payday looms and I am skint as a skeet. 

I will just have to rest on my lily pad and content myself with all that is free in life. Money isn't everything but being a gambler I have obsessed about it only dreaming of winning more gambling 'tokens' as let's face it, if I won I never bought anything with the money it just went back. How very sad.

Okay ☕ is ready have a great day!

Toad. 

Good morning, 

Day 10.

No gambling urges and I wish you all a good day.

Toad.