Post Number Of Days Gamble Free

Day 31, I'm really feeling down today about the financial mess I'm in. I'm certain I won't gamble but I hate that I've put myself in this mess. I know time heals all wounds but it's still tough.

happy_bean wrote:Hello everyone, I am new here and would like to thank you all for helping me to overcome this devastating gambling addiction. The posts have been very inspirational to me and have helped me tremendously in the past month (today is day 35 gambling free days for me). But the last couple of days I have been so tempted to get in the car and drive to the nearest casino. Reading the posts here helps keep me focused. Thanks so much to everyone and all the best.

Congrats on surpassing your month and going 35 days, Happy Bean!! Best wishes for a fulfilling life, free from addiction.

Congrats on 31 days, nuevo dia!

207 days.

Well done everybody !

The first few months are the hardest but you are all doing great ! I won't lie - even at almost 8 months GF , gambling thoughts still enter my mind more than I would like to admit .

There is a big difference though . It's not really an urge - there's no compulsion to act on it . It's like a ghost-memory , usually of old "favorite" slot machines . It's mostly during a time when I have a few hours and nothing to really do . My mind kind of "remembers" that this was when I used to gamble .

But they are so easy to dismiss now ! Even something a simple as turning on the radio or thinking about what's for dinner is enough to make them disappear . Sometimes I listen to my self-hypnosis video for a little reinforcement .

I find that saying something out loud helps tremendously . Today is was :
" Seriously ? ....Do you really want to go back to where you were last year ? "

Other things that work for me :

" Snap out of it ,(my name ) - you don't gamble anymore ."
(I've found that calling myself out by name has more positive impact ).

" That misery is no longer part of my life ."

" I refuse to wipe out ___ days of hard earned recovery by falling for a load of BS ."

Hang tough everyone - fighting through the urges is part of the process - it's the part where you discover just how strong you really are . It does get easier !

It may be that thoughts of gambling will always keep trying to creep in and take over - but I control my addiction now , not the other way round .

4 days

It is very short compared to the regulars in this forum. I also quit gambling/going to casinos before, lasted for about 3 months, but a relapse happened when I got bored on a weekend. A relapse that set an unprecedented number of cash advances (debt skyrocketing to the level that I was used to when I was relentless in gambling) throughout my gambling experience.

Last weekend, after experiencing that typical gambling hangover, I went to this forum and read several threads. I found many success stories here, and they really inspired me to change gear and live a gambling-free life. More specifically, I really like the strategies by NewRisingSun among others.

Several realizations that struck me at this point:

1. Getting old and YOLO.
I am getting old, 32 yo single male here, and yet I am in debt. In a few years or so, if my gambling continues, I will be in big trouble. So many what ifs... like what happened if there is an emergency and I need some money and all my credit cards are maxed out because of gambling? What if I become incapacitated and can no longer work? We only live once, #YOLO, and therefore, might as well live this life to the fullest.

2. Second hand smoke!
I know someone who is a regular of a casino who got lung cancer and passed away after a few months when he was diagnosed. His doctor blamed it to his poor lifestyle (staying in casino overnight and almost everyday; his diet was also not good while gambling) and second hand smoke in the casino.

3. Losses.
I only started gambling last April, 2013, and my losses was estimated to be almost $35,000 already (betting minimum almost all the time on a slot machine). Since my money last longer for this betting habit, I used to stay more than twelve hours inside the casino; coming around afternoon to early evening and staying there until the sun rises. Because of this gambling habit, I don't have time to socialize and my work ethic is severely affected.

4. My health.
Since I used to stay for long hours inside the casino playing slot machines, there are days that I experience head aches and eye twitching. I also notice that I am slowly getting a belly. I used to be fit before.

5. Urges
I also realized that the urge to gamble is fueled by similar reasons: 1) boredom, 2) don't waste the free play, and 3) adrenaline rush of big wins. I am working on finding the best ways to answer the reasons for this gambling urge.

My gambling experience has already taking its toll; financially, emotionally, and physically speaking. I am trying my best to fight this struggle of not going back to casinos anymore. I am one with you guys---a gambling addict. Let's win this fight!

day 3,right now .

I did feel the urge today to go to the casino and gamble . i got by some of the places where i played but didn't enter.Instead i kept the money to myself and i'm really happier to have them in my pocket then in a machine which could make me loose them faster than cutting them with a pair of scissors.

I think the first week it's the hardest - when you have that urge to go and gamble . Then everything should get easier ,step by step - find a new hobby,watch a movie,find something to work on ,etc.

@riseNfast - Love your post ! Keep it going and if you find the secret to stop the urges,let me know

Day 32.

-- Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:30 pm --

Day 32.

Day 0!

I still have open bets which finish today but so I will only count tomorrow as day one. However, no bets placed today and I am feeling relieved / scared at the same time.

I am finally facing upto my problems but begin the mammoth task of paying off the debt I have accumulated.

I'm not product of what I have done, in fact I am ashamed! This is the first time I have confronted my demons and told anyone about it (you guys) which I think is the perfect place to start. I have a long road ahead though!

Day 33, bth- a lot of us have massive debts including myself, but I've been hanging around here for a bit and have seen how some members are tackling their debts and feeling accomplished when they bite off another chunk. Think how if you keep gambling your debt is more than likely going to grow.

235 days

Stay strong everyone !

BillyHope wrote:day 3,right now .

@riseNfast - Love your post ! Keep it going and if you find the secret to stop the urges,let me know

Hi BillyHope! To stop or control the urges, that entails a lot of discipline and distracting yourself of the what if's of gambling. It worked for me last time, but later I kept my guards down so I relapsed. It's another lesson that I learned the heard way.

On Topic: I had a relapse last night so it is day 0 for me.

Cause of Relapse? After hiking with a friend the whole day, I kept on thinking of spending the evening in the casino to relax my sore body; not even thinking of winning money here. So I did go to casino but since I am a gambling addict, I easily lost a grand playing slot machines. I cannot control myself when to stop.

Lesson learned: Never ever go to casino because I cannot control myself in gambling. Whatever is the reason of going to casino, be it entertainment or not, I will always lose money.

Gambling aftermath: Just for one night, another grand is added to my debt.
I download a day since counter app on my smartphone; it counts the number of secs, minutes, days, weeks, and years since you did something. You may use this app to track how many days you are GF. Very useful and inspiring app!

Hope you guys learned from what I did last night.