Post Number Of Days Gamble Free

Be careful over the next few days. After people have that initial relapse, many people think "Since I 'relapsed', I might as well continue for a bit longer" and they dig a bigger hole. Recovery is full of relapses, but we don't want to get use to them. They should make us feel bad and we need to use them to patch up holes in our recovery.

What thoughts and feelings made you want to gamble after doing so well for so long?! The answer to that question might be well worth that $400.

So I been really stressed out lately and i had sold some stuff and for once in a long time I had $400 cash on me and work was done at noon and I was next to a casino. One thing lead to the next i lost $400 in 20 minutes. I know I let myself down. Just go back to having no cash or debit card the next 7 days.

That was pretty the same way I relapsed (the second time). I came across some money (cash) and then those thoughts of gambling came into my head. I gave in and spent that money in a matter of minutes. What I learned from that situation is to pause and know that I should be very careful around my triggers, which is having cash with me.
We all have bumps in recovery and I am sure you learned from this one and will be stronger from now on!

33 days and counting.

These are my top 3 reasons for not gambling:

1. I like myself more when I am not gambling.
2. I can enjoy more time with my family and friends.
3. My days and nights are peaceful.

Being gamble free feels amazing. My mind feels clear and I plan to keep it that way.

2 years.
The gambling feels like a memory from a past life.
I’m literally living a new life now and I hope to stay this way forever.
Thank you all for the support in my darkest hours.
Love you all.

And thank you for coming back to share your amazing and inspiring update , GB .

May you have the very best of all that life has to offer . I am so proud and happy for you !

142 days today and counting . Thank you all. I always read that it is hard to stop betting. I think it is, however once I was 30 days bet free there were no urges. I can now feel the real value of money tbh. I hope I never get back to that life again!


I hope everyone here can come out of it!

Congratulations on all your milestones lately...and sorry to hear about your relapse Joe.... I agree wholeheartedly with Aries on being careful... Digging a deeper hole is all I have done since my first relapse (post 13months GF) tomorrow is two weeks and I have had some pretty strong urges last weekend, but I pushed through. I just keep reminding myself of the "sleep" I had that last time, and I thought my heart was going to beat right through my chest. I was actually scared how strong that panic had set in! That and each "hangover" day since. I am gripping to those emotions in these early days as a reminder of how it IS NOT FUN anymore. It is physically and emotionally destructive. There is no gain. I could have put everything back that I have recently lost, and then some that night i ventured to the casino... I couldnt lose... Until all I could do was spin it away. Reaching back into the wallet, counting, tucking such and such aside to take home, and repeat, repeat, uh..empty! It never fails! If i had taken it home, it would have been "won" money to return with! It NEVER changes....
Best changes I have made are the ones without gambling being apart of my life. The life is so different. And time will bring me back there.
13days GF! Keep going everyone!

I'm almost a year without any type of betting. I don't count days. I just do long periods of abstinence, in order to prove to myself and others I can control it.
I plan to visit a casino in the next year.

Welcome to the forum Karolina,

Congratulations on your 'almost a year' without betting. That is quite an accomplishment! I have heard that some will try to prove that they are over this addiction by making a bet here or there, but each person is different. Some will strive with that sense of control over the addiction and others will have that bet linger in their minds and have it come back some time down the road. I have learned my lesson about thinking im over it, so I will just stay away from that first bet.

I look forward to your posts on this forum