12 Months of Freedom..And Lovin' Every Minute

[JinxyWolf]

Well here I am, it's been 12 months since I threw my last dollar down the never ending hole that is a poker machine and I feel Fantastic

If someone had come up to me 12 months ago and told me that I could go 12 months without gambling I would have laughed in their face. When I started this journey getting through a day without gambling seemed impossible let alone a whole year and yet here I am. There have been ups and downs, times I wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out, bouts of anger and depression but through all that I have learned so much about myself. Like how strong I really am, that I'm not a bad person and that I deserve to be happy. I don't have to keep punishing myself for past mistakes. Yes, I wasted a lost of money, Yes, I lied to my family and friends and Yes, I manipulated the people I loved but those choices need not define me for the rest of my life, I have faced my choices and the consequences of those choices head on and have grown stronger because of it. I relinquished control and allowed those who love me and those who had my best interests at heart to help guide me to make better choices. I took on all advice thrown my way, read other peoples stories and took inspiration from all those who were on the same road as I was.

My Family, my email councellor and all you beautiful people on this forum have been the lifeline I've clung to, you are all my heroes, you gave me the strength and accountability I need to be successful.

For all those who continue to make their way forward, stay strong and know that you are heading towards a brighter future. To those who are struggling just know that we are here for you and you're stronger than you think, the fact that you have joined this forum and shared you story shows a huge amount of courage and determination, remember that you deserve to be happy, don't let past actions define your future.

So here's to another 12 months of freedom.....

JinxyWolf

[Mona58]

Hugest of congratulations Jinky!

Thank you for your help, encouragement and support!

Mona 124 days GF (17wks& 4 days)

[FamilyFirst]

WELL DONE JINXY!!

That's an awesome effort, I'm so happy for you. You have been an inspiration to me and many others throughout the last year. Thanks for all your support and advice, you should be very proud of yourself

Take care and stay happy


Cheers, Lee
361 Days Gamble Free....

[Alice]

How do did you just stop ... did you not go once over those 12 months ? Did you have limits ? During the day I try not to think about them but the sounds and thought of winning makes me struggle

[JinxyWolf]

Hi Alice and Welcome to the Forum,

To answer you first question, No I haven't put $1 dollar through the pokies in over 12 months. There was no other option, I was out of control and cold turkey was the only way I could get my life back. It's been a long and hard road but worth every bump and struggle. I found that for people like us who struggle with gambling addiction there is no safe limit, we simply can't control it, we like to think we can but it's pretty much impossible. It has taken me many years and many failed attempts to quit to come to this realization.

The first thing I did was join this forum, and to honest I didn't even really know if I was truly committed to the journey ahead but I took that first step and that was the beginning on my journey to freedom. Next thing I connected with a gambling councellor via email and then told my family everything. What I was going through, just how bad things had gotten and how unhappy I really was. I found it's all about support and accountability.
I gave up all access to cash, which meant giving my access card to my mother, if I wanted money I had to ask her and tell he exactly what that money was for. Doing this helped with impulse gambling, since I no longer had access to cash I couldn't just go gambling on a whim, it forced me to think about why I wanted to gamble and what the consequences would be if I did.

Yes those pretty lights and amazing sounds send our brains into a blissful paradise, we get so focused on those lights and sounds of "winning" we fail to see that we are in fact LOSING!! We may "win" today but I we will loose tomorrow and in the long run we always loose. These machines are specifically designed to entice and entrance us, get our attention and keep it for as long as they can.

So you have already taken the most important step along the road to becoming gamble free by admitting that you need help. It's not gonna be easy and you may stumble from time to time but just remember a stumble is not a failure, it's just another step along the journey.

So stay strong and remember we are here for you............

JinxyWolf

[Oregon]

Congrats Jinxy and thanks for sharing your stories and offering such good advice for 12 months. Here's to looking back at 12 years gamble free !

[pamela]

Well done Jinxywolf...a fantastic effort that you should be really proud of.It is extremely hard admitting to a gambling problem and then following through to beat it ..But you have done both..great job😀😀😀

[JinxyWolf]

Hi All,

Just checking in to see how you all are doing. Seems like there a quite a few success stories, a few stumbles but all still striving for the future we all deserve, that being one free from gambling.

Me, just started 2 weeks holiday, HAPPY DAYS!!!! So need it, kinda running on empty. It'll be good to catch up on all the house work and such, NOT
Anyway, just a couple days shy of 13 months gamble free. You know I still find it hard to believe it's been that long, it feels like just yesterday I quit.
Yes, the urges have subsided, the fog has lifted, my vision is clear, I'm very happy in my life and I know that I will never be able to go to the pokies ever again but I still very occasionally have thoughts of pokies, usually when I'm stressed, just passing waves, no urge to go, I think it's because they were a part of my life for so many years, it'll take time to clear the thoughts out completely.

Anywhoo, stay strong everyone.

JinxyWolf

[JinxyWolf]

OMG!!! I'm soooo Excited

Just bought my first ever brand new car...and I feel awesome.

13 months ago this would have been a pipe dream but with a lot of determination and grit I have clawed my way back to financial stability.
My gambling addiction is right where it belongs and where it is going to stay....in the past. Nothing can erase all the stupid things I did when I gambled and all the money I lost but refusing to let it define my future has allowed me to live again and move forward.

Stay strong everyone.

JinxyWolf

[Mona58]

Congratulations Jinky! you are an inspiration!