[CraigMac6]

Hello all

Before I began, some of this might not make sense cause I’m using talk to text which I find will be more convenient for me most days.
I’ve been here before like many of us been here for years and I can’t seem to quit or take this destructive addiction. The last couple months have been very destructive. I make a decent living, but I’ll spend every penny on gambling until the next paycheck and it’s just a repetitive cycle. No matter how much I win it’s never enough. I really come to the conclusion that it’s about the action more so than the money it’s about the thrill it’s about being right it’s about knowing sports. It’s really unhealthy. Along the way I’ve really allowed gambling to impact other aspects of my life from my marriage to my children to myself. I don’t gamble. I am so much better of a person I accomplish so much more and I have a mentality in a mindset of grinding and finding a way. I also take time to think about my goals and read and ways to achieve my goals. But when I’m gambling, I’m just stuck in my phone for really all day following a tennis match or a baseball game or a football game whatever it might be that’s where my energy is it is very, very unhealthy.
I know I’ve kind of rambled for a little bit, but I just wanna let you know. I’m here. It’s gonna be a tough process. I just wanna have a better life and I know that really starts with my decision to not gamble each and every day.
Good luck to all of you on your journey stay strong today and remember that one bet isn’t worth it

[CraigMac6]

Hello everybody

Day two. So I have a daughter she’s six years old. She means the world to me. I would do anything for her, but the sad part is I’ll say I’ll do anything for but her entire life. I’ve been an addict to gambling. Of course that means she went without, especially in situations where I didn’t have the money because I wasted it That’s all I can think about. I don’t wanna have that regret the rest of my life she went without because I was so addicted to gambling not just financially, but like emotionally being their present in the moment instead of watching the game so that is what’s gonna drive me today cause I know if this doesn’t end and I look back on her years as a child, I’ll regret it if all I did was gamble

Have a great

[CraigMac6]

As I begin day, three things are going pretty well. I spent a lot more time with my family. I’ve committed to exercise the last two days and I I’m gonna go again today. I seem to be in a much better mood only time I get a little bit. Cranky is at night time when I’m tired but before it was all day cranky depending on how come of a match. Just like I said yesterday, my daughter six years old I’ve been a gambling addict her whole life. I’m a good father, but I could be a great one without that addiction and that is my motivation for today thank you for reading. Hopefully, all of you. Have a great day. I’m on my way to work with an opportunity to make some money and with that money I commit myself to not waste it. I’m gambling One day at a time.

[CraigMac6]

I’m back. After another relapse which cost me so much money and time, I’m here again. Wanting to have a better life for myself.

No need for a long story. I’m an addict and I’m tired of missing out on key moments in my kids life. The time to stop is now. Day 1, I’m ready to kick your ass!

Have a blessed day folks

[CraigMac6]

Here’s to day two. I’ve done a lot of reflecting over the last day and I can’t help but think about how selfish I was during my gambling years. It’s really quite embarrassing. I just know I want to be better. Today will be a great day without that deadly addiction.

[kin]

Good job on staying gamble free.
Yesterday has passed. Tomorrow has not arrive. All we can do was to stay focus on today.
Tomorrow we do the same.
One day at a time.

[CraigMac6]

Thanks for the Kin.

Today is a big day for me as it’s payday and normally I would already have about three or four deposits into my sports book by now, but I am determined to not gamble today. Today is a huge day for me in my recovery from this terrible addiction I will not gamble today. I believe that with all my mind, body and soul.
How would often times place bets make deposits before I’ll pay any of my bills? I don’t think there’s anything lower than being a man but not taking care of your own family because you’re spending it on your addiction but here’s to a better day day three let’s go.

[CraigMac6]

Well, I made it through payday. I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday. It was very busy family running around lotta good times so I’m glad I had it cause I know if I was gambling and I would’ve been in my phone most of the day.
Today I’ll face another challenge. I have a long drive ahead of me normally on this drive I gamble pretty much 80% of the time at least and barely pay attention to the road while I’m doing it which is very dangerous, but I look forward to the challenge and I know in my mind, gambling is not an option for today one day at a time. Have a great day.

[CraigMac6]

I made it yesterday. A long drive without being an addict. I feel pretty good with how things are going. Feel alive again. It’s been a great feeling.

[CraigMac6]

Hey everybody

I’m not sure what’s wrong with this site anymore but it looks like a lot of spam. Hopefully it’ll get taken care of and it can be a place where gambling addicts come and share stories give motivation and encourage each other.

A lot of things on my life are coming together and I don’t believe it’s not coincidental that it’s right around the time I’ve given up gambling yesterday made one week since I placed the wager. One of my biggest weakness was college football. I always gambled on that and I usually did pretty well, but I never really made money because I had no discipline or money management. I know in the past what college football came up. It was a fear. I sense fear that I won’t be able to make it to the season. Well, I don’t know what will happen but my feeling now is more of. I’m excited for the challenge to go eat Saturday without giving up on my goal of living a healthier Life and when I mean, healthier life mostly mentally well physically as well. I know gambling has prevented me from doing a lot of the things that I like to do and exercise is one of those things because I’d much rather sit in front of my phone and watch outcome of a game take care of myself.
Tomorrow is my five year wedding anniversary and I look forward to celebrating with my wife without living in my phone or worrying about the outcome of the next wager or wondering when I get paid again so I can make another deposit and lose it all. When I look back, I can’t help. I really feel a lot of disappointment with how low I truly went to get that fixed. Nothing was off the table

I know I have a long way to go. It’s gonna be tough, but at this moment, my mindset is very positive and very focused on becoming a better me one day at a time I know with gambling I rarely accomplish things that I wanna do. It allows me to procrastinate. It allows me to waste many hours staring at a phone. And quite frankly took away from me being a good father and husband.

I hope everyone has a great day!

[jennyrich789]

Venter på moderation

[asdfghost]

Hey CraigMac,

I feel you, man. Good job staying gamble free so far.

About the site, yeah, you’ve noticed it too. Unfortunately, this place feels like a wasteland most of the times. It’s been worse though. I’d open the journals and not see any activity from real people whatsoever. Even from the regulars like kin. It was a year ago. There was even a partly and complete shutdown of the site. I felt horrible not knowing if it’s gone forever, but it wasn’t for too long, like a couple of days. Then it came back.

Anyway, came to wish you a great day. Thanks for posting, it is quite encouraging!

[CraigMac6]

Hey, thanks for your response. It’s always good to hear from somebody. I know sometimes what I say might not make sense cause I’m doing the talk to text. It’s just so much quicker for me. I’m on the road a lot with work. Things are still going well day nine tomorrow will be day 10 I’m in a pretty good spot with it but I know how just like any addiction can creep up from behind you when you’re not and you’re not ready for it. I know there’s gonna be a lot of challenging days coming up soon, but I’ll worry about that when when they come for right now, I’m just doing the best I can to make it through today without placing any sort of wager. I have shown growth like I went out and made some money. Normally I make this money and I put it into my online account and try to double it and today I thought about that you know when I try to double it never works never and actually just all goes away so it’s a good thing anyway hopefully this site will get a little better. Be nice to have some feedback from people in some conversations and kind of go through the same together have a great day.

[CraigMac6]

Hello everybody

Just checking in day 10 had a little bit of time to reflect and it’s pretty sad how much I allowed gambling to impact my life both my health, my finances, my relationships all those things. I don’t think you realize how much controller has on your how much you just crave that itch to do it immediate gratification. I don’t think you realize how bad it is till you take a step away. Take a step back. Been tough to except because I always took Brian and how I conducted myself and being a good man husband father I think I was pretty good at those things, but the gambling prevented me from being great from being truly impactful. And then when you sit there and realize how much gambling has taken from you and then you count up to years in the month and the days and the hours in a minute four days I was been up for 15 hours just on my phone, not constantly but throughout the day hour here, 20 minutes here, 15 minutes here what could I have accomplished in that time? How could I have been a better dad during that time. It’s a lot of processing a lot to admit. And now you add that and now it’s months years i’ve done those years goals. I want for my family and accomplished because I was spending 75% of my time in a phone watching a game making a bet again really a tough pill to swallow, but it is high opening is real. It’s the truth and I have to be able to accept that. I’m not in a position to sit there and dwell on because that was a mistake I made I can make the future better by my choices, but it makes you really realize like I was a good dad. I thought I still provided most of the time I still gave some of my time and energy not nearly as much as I could’ve.
And I’ll give you a little example this will probably help me feel a little better. My oldest daughter went off to college her second year at college. We first started the dad thing you know I want to have a house for us that was a goal. have a house, not rent own Here. We are 17 years later. Still no house still renting she’ll never get to experience her own house from me anyway that’s tough. There’s no going back. I can do better and ensure there’s a house for our family and the younger kids with all this one. I took that opportunity. I gamble from almost 17 years now of course the first seven probably were not that bad just a little bit of a game game there but the last 10 years man live in the gamble pretty sad.

[CraigMac6]

Hey everybody, I hope everyone’s doing well. Tomorrow will be two weeks that I’ve been free from gambling. All I can’t say is been easy. I will admit I’m in a good place and while it’s been tough hasn’t been really super tough just because I’m tired of that life. I’m tired of searching every second for a couple bucks 60 bucks 70 bucks to put in my account. I’m tired of every paycheck I get paid and by the end of the day my account says zero because I just keep putting money and put money in. That’s what I knew. I really had a problem with gambling is when payday came for five years ago. I would pay my bills first and then whatever I had left you know I might put 100 or $200 in my account and play. But as I got worse, my addiction it became gambling account was number one priority bills were secondary and sometimes often times they didn’t get paid and then I’m getting loans and then I’m getting deeper in debt. It’s just a vicious cycle. I will say this though since I’ve stopped gambling the last 13 days I’ve really just kept focus on bettering my life for myself and my family. I felt alive for the first time in a long time I’m not glued to my phone 24 seven I’m not waking up to check the scores. I’m not stopping in the middle conversation with my wife to see if my team is winning or losing. I’m able to do things without having to stop to check a score. It’s a very difficult feeling to explain but if I had to say a word, it’s freedom. I have the freedom to be in that moment. I know this thing can creep up at any moment. I’m I’m keeping guard. I’m proud of where I am. I know there’s a lot to do moving forward, but a lot of things are coming together for me in these 13 days, I can only imagine what’s gonna look in six months in a year five years 10 years like my life will be so much better. I know that, but as a saying goes One day at a time. I hope all of you have an awesome day.

[CraigMac6]

Today Marques two weeks since I gambled. The title of this thread is a better life and I can say in the last two weeks made decisions that have allowed in my life to be better. I’m grateful for today and I just wanna keep growing and improving.
I hope all of you have an awesome day and you can find it within yourself to stay quit one day at a time

[iamhere]

Hi CraigMac6!

Two weeks is amazing, well done ❤️. The further you get from that last bet.. the better you’ll feel.

Cheers to another day gamble free 🙌

[CraigMac6]

Hello iamhere it’s nice to have you stop in and I appreciate your kind words.

Today is day 16 it is my payday normally I would’ve already put 234 $500 into my account and probably lost it and never got anything accomplished. I refuse to put any of my money into any of my old accounts which have been closed, but they would gladly open them up, cause I’m a sucker. It really drives me and motivates me to stay gamble free cause I can’t help but think of all the bad decisions I made, and how it negatively impact in my family. My wife would go above and beyond financially to help make hands meet in here. I am behind her back, waste of money on a gambling event and truly never getting anything accomplished, cause I’m focused on a phone all day. Feels good to know that I don’t have to do that anymore. I don’t have to be in the attic, I don’t have to be glued to my phone. I don’t have to be a monster for this addiction. Almost seems like I was a totally complete person. Probably because I was just like most of us are when the addiction really grabs hold of us. Things are coming together financially for us still gonna be a long process, but we’re on the right track and we’ll get there when I gambled never get there always backwards. But I am determined to make sure I get through today a payday we normally I would blow all the money without Wasting any money on any type of camp. Have a great day everyone thank you

[CraigMac6]

Good morning

I made it through payday without making a deposit, and I also made it to the first Saturday of college football without placing the wage during any game. The games that I find most enjoyable to bet on our college football games and then starting very soon so this will be a challenging season for me, but I’m determined to get through it. I’m proud of where I’m at. I don’t wanna go back. What I’ve been doing is just focusing on the things I need to get accomplished for that day for that moment, and realizing that life is when I don’t want hope everyone has a great day day 18 for me.

[asdfghost]

Hey, CraigMac

Keep going man, almost 3 weeks now, great job! Wish you a good day 🙂

[CraigMac6]

Hey ghost

Thanks for the positive words. Yes almost 3 weeks man. It’s been good. It’s been challenging, but it’s also what I want. I do have a lot of regret thinking about where I’m at, and where I could’ve been if I didn’t pick up this nasty addiction. But I also remind myself I still could be making those wages and I’d be in the same predicament even getting worse by the day but instead I’m getting better by the day.

What’s really astonishing is the amount of time that I was wasting and not accomplishing my goals and things I want to get to. So I feel super behind on a lot of things. But one day at a time one task at a time. let’s go!
I hope everyone has a great day

[CraigMac6]

Hello everybody

Today is day 20 for me. Things are still going pretty good just focusing on each day making it better than the last. As I said with college football coming up, I know it’s gonna be challenging for me, but I know that’s not the type of life that I want. I look forward to the challenge, but I also know there’s a lot of work ahead. Tomorrow will be three weeks. And I actually think the last pet I put in was on a Tuesday about 630. Three weeks of what kind of fast as I said before it’s been great Have a nice day

[antimo5569]

Hey Craig, 20 days is a really solid milestone and you should be proud of yourself. I know it’s not easy, but every day you choose to stay present you’re moving closer to that better life you’ve been talking about—for you, your little girl, and your marriage. Those missed moments can’t be changed, but what you’re doing now is creating new ones that matter even more. Keep at it, you’re stronger than you think and you’ve absolutely got this.

[CraigMac6]

Thank you antimo5569 for
The kind words!

3 weeks!

[CraigMac6]

Day 25.

Now this weekend wasn’t easy with the start of college football. I’ve always enjoyed wagering on college football and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enticed to open up my account. But I just thought : when I win a game it turns into eventually taking my freedom. The likelihood of winning the second game is slim to none: so there is no real money to be made unless you can take your winnings and stop after the first wager but I know that’s not me. Each wager is an ever so slightly tilt of freedom being lost in the direction of the addiction.

It feels great to say no. It wasn’t easy and sure every Saturday will be a test but I did get a lot accomplished yesterday instead of watching football all day long.

Keep on keeping on!

[CraigMac6]

Hi

Day 27. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks but my focus is on today. One day at a time. Life is getting better. Slowly but surely. It’s a nice change of pace. Not the extreme stress as before with every minute being engaged in a wager .
Freedom is the best gift I can give myself!

[asdfghost]

Hey!

It’s been almost a month, good job man! Great to hear you’re doing well and your life is changing for good. I need to post something too in my journal, it’s been a while since I did that last time. Hope you write something as well haha 🙂

[CraigMac6]

Hello everybody

So last Thursday day 29 I fell off the wagon and I made $150 deposit into my account to make a wager on the NFL game season opener. $150 turned into a $900.03 day sports binge that brings out the worst of me. It’s a little concerning cause I was doing so well I felt so strong about this quit. And like all of us I’ve quit probably thousands of times, but I felt like it was the one I had so much motivation so much determination to continue and last Wednesday with the season opener coming I started to think in my mind I can control it. I can manage it just bet the place I feel confident about. I thought that urge on Wednesday and didn’t make a deposit that same merge came back Thursday and I caved I thought it all day at 6:30 PM. I said I’m gonna go ahead and give it a shot. I know I can’t win. I know it’s unrealistic. I know I have no control over gambling and I know one that will just turn into many And I don’t have control. Back I don’t want gambling in my life. I’m scared because I really thought that was, this was the one and it makes me wonder if I really can’t quit. I definitely wanna quit. When I gamble I’m not really who I am takes control of me just like everyone makes me into a worst person. Worst dad worse husband I’m overweight out of shape. I never used to be that way used to value fitness and exercise and I still do but the gambling taste control and everything else takes a backseat. I really have to make this change in my life if I wanna live a healthy prosperous, long life man so disappointed. But that seems to be my one fault I do really well and then after a long break, I try to convince myself I can I can manage it just play a game here or there, but I’m so far past that I want to action every second live waging every minute action even though I have no real advantage it’s just the fact betting money. Truly a sickness my hope is that I’ve learned from this mistake yet again and I don’t know if I could do 29 days I can go even longer this time. I know my life is better without gambling. I’m happier I don’t have so much anxiety. I don’t get so upset when I lose I’m not glued to my phone. I’m just overall better person just tough. It’s not easy but I’m back day. One scared shut up nervous I was so confident the last 29 days strong. I feel like that was the one it just took one minute of complacency one second well I can’t really say that cause I battled her for like two days but the second day I shaved and I’m Ryan told me I could handle it. Any advice would be great sorry that this is a bunch of rambling and it might not make sense but I am doing the talk to text cause I’m on the road from work. Have a great day everyone and I’m gonna make a choice not to place a wager as it affects my life negatively.

[kin]

Hi Craig,
I really hope that you find this information helpful.

Problem Gambling Withdrawals and Post-Acute Withdrawals (PAWS)

Making changes and stopping problem behavior of any kind is very difficult. We would like to help you better understand what you will go through physically, emotionally, and biologically once you have made the decision to stop gambling.

It is important to understand that when you stop using substances or gambling you may experience withdrawals, depression, and cravings.

Studies show that when a person ingests a chemical like drugs or alcohol, the substance stimulates the reward/pleasure center of their brain. Did you know that the same process occurs when gambling? This is what makes you feel good and why for some people, gambling can become an addiction.

There is something called neurotransmitters in the brain and body that fire off substances when needed. Some of these that are involved in the feel good of addiction you may have heard of: dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline and endorphins.

A couple of examples would be when you work out or do any cardio where your heart gets pumping, you feel more relaxed and less pain. This is the neurotransmitter called endorphins causing you to feel better.

If you are on anti-depressants, which are prescribed by a doctor, the antidepressants light up the neurotransmitters of dopamine and serotonin, which make you feel better.

With compulsive gambling, you only have to think about gambling or remember a past gamble in order to fire off these neurotransmitters. This makes it more difficult to stop. Even though you are not ingesting anything, a chemical change is still occurring within your brain!

In the absence of problem gambling or substance abuse, the brain fires off these neurotransmitters by itself when we need to feel good.

Someone suffering from problem gambling begins to rely on an outside source to fire them off. After some time, as the addiction progresses, the brain forgets how to fire them off by itself – and the person becomes dependent on gambling to make them feel good. The result is called a craving, caused by the brain wanting the stimulant. There may also be depression or withdrawals.

There are two steps in the withdrawal process:

Acute Withdrawal can have symptoms lasting 3-10 days after stopping the behavior.

Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWS) happens over time, with symptoms lasting up to 18 months or longer. Some may have withdrawal cravings for the rest of their lives.

During the withdrawal process, there are certain times when the brain is healing and learning to reboot or repair itself. These times can be particularly difficult and cause cravings and depressive symptoms. If you are working on your recovery, be aware of these times by noticing your behaviors.

Here are some things to look out for at these times:

Irritable
Overreacting
Anxious
Having difficulty concentrating
Feeling rage
Short- and long-term memory loss
Rapid and repetitive thinking
Sleep problems
Gambling dreams
Low energy Headaches
Mood swings
Less stress tolerance
Impulsivity

The first 60-120 days of recovery are critical, because not only are you going through physical changes (withdrawals), but you are trying to make changes in your life and fix the problems caused by the behavior. Relapse can and does happen, so expect it. If you slip and gamble then learn how and why it happened, pick yourself up and keep going into recovery. The best approach would be to find a trusted person and share with them this information and what your thoughts and behaviors are around cravings and withdrawals. You then must give them permission to tell you what they are noticing, and you cannot get mad about it. Be careful not to use this as an excuse to go gamble and try and blame them for the relapse.

[CraigMac6]

Hey Kin

Thank you for stopping in. I appreciate your post and it’s good to have those reminders. 10 years ago I quit chewing tobacco after being a user for like 17 years. The quote was very difficult in there was a site. I actually went to at the time every day to post my commitment and I have like quit brothers and a lot of the stuff that you mentioned was stuff I was aware of you know back then. The fog suck a different stages yeah I remember quite well. But as I just celebrated my 10th year of being free from dip I didn’t really feel that good cause I just felt like I had transferred my addiction from dip to gambling and I’m not sure which one is worse. In fact I think gambling is probably worse. They were both bad. Don’t give me wrong. Gambling can be all day every day with a cell phone where dip I had to just do it I had my own time. It really is one thing to disappointed me, though. I feel like even though I’ve been free of a 10 years. I just transferred my addiction to another Bad Act. So now I’m trying to use this free time and put it towards something good to become addicted to my health, my fitness, my family. And obviously, the mental fight, knowing that my mind will try to tell me, I can control it when I know I can’t. I have 17 years of losing money as a private example of that being false.
Again, I really appreciate you stopping in and providing support. It’s much appreciated. On Monday too it’s been a good day. My challenging days are when sports are happening like the NFL college football and really put me over the edge of tennis. I never even watched tennis before, but the action all day every day so many matches so many points matter that was one of mine triggers as well. Have a great day.

• Dette svar blev ændret 1 uge, 2 dage siden af CraigMac6.

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