Day 1 of a brighter future (I hope!)

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Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

Hi Rob,

You’re welcome. Hope it’s going well for you. You seem to be determined and putting the right blocks and plans in place.

I’m doing well. 12 days today and assuming I get through it, 3 consecutive weekends. Regarding my previous recovery, the work travel excuse was convenient. I could have found a GA meeting when away, I got complacent and believed I could almost do this alone.

This time. GamCare has been a huge help, I find the char toon like a twice daily GA meeting where you can check in and hopefully help others as well as helping yourself. Block wise. I haven’t done enough. I can’t deposit from my bank acc which is a good start but I need Gamstop to really do all possible.

But for now all’s going well and I am in a far better place than 12 days ago.

Appreciate the post most and good luck.

Enjoy a gamble feee weekend.

 
Posted : 3rd October 2020 7:06 am
Rob_Evans88
(@rob_evans88)
Posts: 38
 

I hope your good mate. 

It’s all about realising that no win is big enough for us, and for me I don’t want a potentially disastrous situation happening again. 

We have all got complacent in some form or another. 

It’s a big step putting blockers on your bank accounts, Gamstop is great but not perfect.

I was using 1 European site, begged them to self exclude my account & the best they said they could do for me is self exclude me for 3 months, yet there always gonna be there wanting their money. P**s take that, I’ve got to be the better 1 & not waste my time, money & life on there. That’s how much they’re arsed about their customers. 

Glad to hear things are on the up & let them continue that way, every day is a step further. 

I will & same to you too. 

This post was modified 3 years ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 4th October 2020 3:39 am
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

Well is 2 weeks of no gambling and I’ve got through another weekend. 

We had a lovely family weekend away which was so much more enjoyable given the current times plus no added burden of gambling.

Things are improving by the day and although my work never suffered I can feel a difference in my mindset and approach at work which can only be positive.

I’ve got a Debt Management Plan with StepChange and tentative discussions with National Debt Relief have suggested an IVA with a monthly repayment of around 50% lower than my current one may be an option which would be great. But we’ll see.

Thanks as always to the support and warmth of those on here from fellow problem gamblers to the GamCare staff who are all wonderful. This place is truly amazing and makes a huge difference to lives.

 
Posted : 6th October 2020 6:25 pm
Compulsive Gambler
(@compulsive-gambler)
Posts: 672
 

@sanpablo  Many thanks for reading and commenting on my 'success' post.

I've just read through your diary and looks like you've made a great start, congrats on the gamble free days to date

One thought I wanted to share - you reference luck a lot - both asking for people to wish you luck and in wishing luck to others.  I know it is only a turn of phrase but it's one I challenged myself to not use very early in my latest recovery attempt - our battle with this addiction does not need or rely on luck.  3 years down the line and I actually struggle to use the word luck in everyday life now, it really jars with me.  For me personally it became a real mindset about how I am actually able to control my choices.

Hope that makes sense and wanted to share in case is resonates 

keep up the great start

I'm and addicted gambler but today I am choosing to not gamble

 
Posted : 6th October 2020 8:21 pm
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

Thanks CG.

I completely understand your take on the  use of the word ‘luck’. It has connotations with gambling for a start which isn’t great and as you state it is a turn of phrase, I’ll certainly consider the use of it on future but rest assured I certainly don’t consider luck to be a key part of recovery, but like most things in life, a little bit of luck or good fortune, whatever you want to call it, does no harm if it had a positive impact.

 

 
Posted : 7th October 2020 5:08 pm
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

Today marks 19 days GF.

Feeling really positive and assuming I get through today, it will be the third consecutive weekend I haven’t gambled. It must be a few years since that last happened.

Pay day is Friday and that provides mixed feelings, the obvious positive feeling of having money in my pocket but equally fear that with more money available,temptation to gamble will increase. I have blocks in place that will help but as we all know, where there’s a will there’s a way.

I had a pre-therapy check in Friday and it was great to be able to report a few wonderful weeks, with no gambling, short term financial pressures easing, better work performance, better family time, better sleep, better fitness routines etc etc.

My football team have also started the season with 7 consecutive wins so if there’s a correlation between that and me not gambling then that’s reason enough to keep it going ?

 
Posted : 11th October 2020 9:51 am
Gambling_toad
(@gambling_toad)
Posts: 155
 

Good morning Sanpablo, 

You are doing great. I noticed you used the word luck which is fine. With this addiction we can be sensitive to words. You are looking for  non monetary positives. Well done on your house move ?. I was reluctant to move but it was the best thing we ever did.

Stay positive best luck

This post was modified 3 years ago by Gambling_toad
 
Posted : 13th October 2020 6:12 am
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

1 month gamble free today.

Its been easier than I thought but perhaps I’m underestimating the work I’ve put in to make it feel that way.

As well as measures I’ve put in place and the wonderful support on here via the forum and chat room, I started an 8 week therapy course this week which I hope will keep me on track and learn new techniques to deal with my illness.If so can get through the next 8 weeks gamble free alongside the course I’ll have nearly made it to Christmas which is a short term target.

Its still early days and I’ve been here before so not getting g carried away, but I do feel really positive about what lies ahead. 

One thing is for sure, despite the pandemic and all the other challenges life can throw at you, it’s definitely better gamble free.

 

 
Posted : 22nd October 2020 6:39 am
Gambling_toad
(@gambling_toad)
Posts: 155
 

Hello Sanpablo, 

In this world of negativity you just ooze positivity and toad loves it ?

Staying positive is half the battle and well done in your journey so far.

See you in chat room soon.

Best regards,

 
Posted : 22nd October 2020 2:56 pm
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

I can’t believe it’s been nearly 12 months since I’ve been on here.

It been a real year or ups and downs with sporadic gambling but periods of abstinence. What’s really apparent (as if I didn’t know already) is that it doesn’t how long you go without, the set backs, no matter how big, small or damaging are just that.

I’ve had the support of people around me, some also addicts and I had some NHS support all of which has been great.

But I’ve neglected this place for no apparent reason and so I’m making a determined effort to get back as the chat room especially was a fantastic space with some fantastic people.

Our local GA meeting still isn’t back on which is a disappointment but hopefully it will in time.

I hope everyone’s doing well.

 
Posted : 11th October 2021 6:05 pm
Sanpabs
(@sanpablo)
Posts: 76
Topic starter
 

Well almost 12 months since I posted and again another year or ups and downs but thankfully more ups.

 

I’ve gambled on and off, had a 6 or 7 month spell where I was doing it profitably. But I had a few set backs in recent months which has forced me into some serious action so I’ve self excluded from my accounts. One of the main reasons was I had inherited some money and I’m going through redundancy and due a settlement. So for first time in my life I’ve a lot of money at my disposal and I know if I ended up gambling that away……….. well, the consequences are unthinkable.

Things are looking positive on the job front and the role I’ve verbally accepted is a great opportunity, more money and in a very stable industry. So there’s alot to be grateful for which makes me more determined to stay gamble free.

 

I’ve been back on the forum in recent weeks and great to see some old faces on there being supportive as always.

 

I’m now 14 days gamble free and taking one day at a time.

 

Hope everyones doing well.

 
Posted : 9th October 2022 10:15 am
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