Post Number Of Days Gamble Free

NewSunRising wrote:My rock bottom came shortly after : I made a last ditch attempt at the end of December 2014 . I chose January 1, 2015 as my quit date . My work had recently changed their pay periods from every 2 weeks to every 30 days beginning in 2015 . I had gambled away my first 2 weeks of pay in December .I had no savings , my credit cards were maxed out and I had bank loans out to my limit . I couldn't believe what I'd just done to myself . That 30 days of having near-zero money turned out to be a blessing in disguise . No money = no gambling .That month I limped along , scraping together enough to feed myself and that's all. I went from work to home and nowhere else . I subsisted on ramen noodles , canned tuna and tap water. I slept a lot . I cried a lot .

Thanks for sharing this NSR. Seems like you remember the whole experience vividly.
As you share this, I recall and remember those times too. I had to scrape through some months to pay my bills and commitment after losing money, and those times I cried a lot when I was alone at home, hitting my head with my palm, having the self talk with my mind, telling it of the regret and to quit. Surely it was a struggle, but I kept on believing that I would quit someday and have a life that is peaceful, without the worry of money or anything.

I believe that what helped me the most was this forum (encouragement from the seniors here esp NSR & Aries, the sharing of others, new postings etc), the people around me in my life (although I didn't tell them), and most importantly my faith and belief in God. I'm not cured completely, as I'm still vary of this disease/addiction. I'm living a day at a time.

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone still checking into this forum. I do check in once and a while, but the days are steadily farther apart. As my anniversary approaches, I decided this morning to go and review some of my posts from when I found this forum.
I could feel her pain and agony, like it was yesterday...the sadness and panic...the vicious cycle tearing her life apart...it's not like those memories had ever left, but rereading the words I wrote in the moment was such an intense reminder of why I had to stop, and need to remain gamble free forever. That girl was so sad and devastated by the choices she kept making.
I am approaching my fourth year gamble free at the end of this month.. Life has had may ups and downs over the last few years, but sinking money into those damn demons has not contributed. Being free of gambling is the ONLY thing that has worked and it has made my life and my family's life better than ever! I have not come here to brag, but to share. That girl who was in so much pain... She is still apart of me, but she is happier, healthier and loving life even more with each day/month/year that she puts between herself and those years of self-destruction.
I have also come here to thank everyone who always took the time to encourage me when I felt like the scum of the earth. Particularly NSR <3.... You would reply to me like I was your friend next door having a cup of coffee... Your story, my friend, has always inspired me to do better, be better and put in the work! Your time gamble free always made me yearn to say the same... And I am proud to say that i have done better and will never stop putting in the work.
I know my world could change in the blink of an eye with one $20! I keep that in the back of my mind like a POST-IT note. I don't think of gambling very often, but it was such a part of my life for so long, i also wont let myself forget what it did ... I know i will never get that time back...wasted away in front of a money-sucking demon, instead of sharing quality time with a friend or my family...i know I will never get that money back, thousands lost over the years, instead of providing my family better! It's gone, and letting go of the chase to get it back was, and still is, a struggle. That regret lingers, but letting go also helped me in my path to recovering....nobody owes me nothing, i made those choices in the depth of my addiction, and it's what i do with time and money now that helps me with forgiving the regret.
Every day counts...and before you know it, they will certainly add up. Sleep improves, accounts improve, relationships improve, and your self improves too.
1449 days GF.

Cantdoitalone , I am just so freaking proud of you . Your post brought tears to my eyes . Joyful tears , to be sure . Your story and your contributions to this forum have made a difference to everyone here . Hearing updates like these is so inspiring , not just to me but to all who are struggling with this addiction .

I'm honored to be a small part of your success story , along with the many others who gave us support and encouragement in this journey and grateful for the encouragement and support you've brought to others .

Thank you for coming back to tell us how you're doing . It means a lot .

NewSunRising wrote:Cantdoitalone , I am just so freaking proud of you . Your post brought tears to my eyes . Joyful tears , to be sure" .

Oh my, NSR ... These words filled both my eyes and heart at once.... I remember so many things you said, advice you provided, and the virtual hugs you gave.... And your support still has such an emotional impact on me!
To reciprocate, if i may.... I too am so freaking proud of you... From all your hard work to be free of this evil, and the support you show to others that continue to fight it! Thank you for all that you do here! We have all been so so blessed from your support guidance and empathy.... I have said it before, and would like to again... You could write a book .... Big big hugs NSR and thank you for every cake, and "chin up" moment you provide here....

Hello all , NSR, Aries and cantdoitalone show it can be done by the length of years they have abstained from gambling.RicardoG you are on the road too. As ye know there are severe consequences for gambling thousands. The damage can take years to repair. Initially I felt shock at my last gambling loss, then relief that it was all over.Now it has all sunk in, I ask myself what have I done? There have been depressing days too at the thought of the losses and when will I be happy again. I have a diary which I cross off each day and another day is added to my days away from gambling.A fixed amount of money is added to my money recovered each day. I’m sure we all have such coping mechanisms.I have done everything almost financially perfect since my last loss 2 months ago. Outside of gambling many of us are actually very good at accumulating money, we do it far better than a lot of the non gambling population. It’s a shame that good work is undone by feeding it to the gambling demons. I wrote down the damage gambling has caused in my life and read it at the start of each day.It’s another self help mechanism I have. It’s truly a terrible addiction, it’s not worth it in any way, shape or form as the damage it causes takes too long to fix. The journey has to start with the first day, then the old mantra of one day at a time. Stay strong and cut it out of your life. Anyway I’m gambling free 2 months today, 62 days gf

Hey Sconced,
The number of those gf days will just keep on increasing when you start to focus on your daily life routines. Just make sure that you have some healthy past times stuff to do.
And keep in check should temptation come.

I believe you can do it, we all can. Just keep going and always remember that we are here for you.
Always

Much appreciated RicardoG.I’ll check in if I feel I’m going to relapse. Thankfully I currently feel strong and have currently no urges. That’s partly due to the financial hammering I have taken over the past 2 years. There comes a low point, when enough is enough. Having said that willpower is also needed because this disease only needs half a chance to hammer you again.As you said healthy hobbies like gym, running, cycling etc can be a good motivation or distraction from thoughts of gambling. I’ll check in again when I have 100 days gf under my belt. There is different milestones on the road to recovery isn’t there.These milestones can also be used as an incentive.Keep posting your stories and updates people. I enjoy reading them as do other readers I’m sure. New people should also consider posting. It can be a good tool in the fight against gambling and helps others. Anyway 64 days gf

hi all,

Hope everyone is good.
Sorry I am posting after a long time.
Today I am 1066 days GF.
I just want to mention that I did not take professional help.
It was all my will power and daily browsing the posts on this website and blocking all the gambling sites as my addiction was only sports betting.
The key to overcome my addiction was to forget about my loss and stop chasing.
I hope someone else can benefit from what worked for me
God bless everyone

Bravo on nearly 3 years of freedom from gambling addiction , Yahoocoau !

I am so proud of you . Thank you for sharing this fantastic milestone with us . There is more than one way off of that sinking ship and I'm so glad you found what worked for you . You're an inspiration !

I wish you the very best as you move forward with your life , unchained from the addiction that was dragging you down .

Stay strong and stay free my friend .

Great update Yahoo!

Like NSR said, we all have different paths to recovery. GA and meeting with a professional helped me in the start, but I haven't required them since my first year recovery. Many others have simply used this forum as the cornerstone of their recovery.

I hope you continue to check the forum and can provide us updates on your recovery