Hi Everyone,

I’m at 9 months now without placing a bet, and so grateful to be.  A day doesn’t go by that I don’t look back and remember how it use to be when I was gambling, I call those thoughts my reminders.  And I’m beginning to reflect on my days in recovery, the steps I’ve taken to get to where I am now, I call those lovely memories.  Step #1- one day at a time I began abstaining from gambling with a conviction in my heart I’ve never felt in my past attempts at abstinence.  I refused to believe my old lies that I was helpless and didn’t matter.  I knew I had to make changes in my life that required lots of soul searching and honesty. I’m an addict with all the typical addict behavior, know-it-all-ish, controlling and overly sensitive.  I don’t have all the answers and I’ve learned along the way that love isn’t controlling. I’ve also learned there’s a difference between being a sensitive human being and an overly sensitive, self-centered one. I’m grateful for my sense of humor, and learning it doesn’t always have to be self-effacing.  I’m enjoying today and looking forward to tomorrow.  

People, recovery is a beautiful way of leaving