No more .. Gambling, Drugs, Booze

Hey man, just wanted to contribute in some way.  I was never on the drugs, but for the last 2-3 years, every weekend was a drunk fest.  I got married in college, and divorced shortly after and I was looking for anybody to cling to.  Found some friends from college and made some new friends through them.  They would drink and drive and go home, and it was just the normal thing to do.  I ended up breaking up with my girlfriend who was a part of that group, and it was probably the best thing to happen to me.  I wake up every morning on the weekends with a pleasant feeling.  I go to church every Sunday, not hungover and able to actually get something out of it.  I actually met a nice girl at church who I've gone out with a couple times and am hoping to advance things along with.  Stuff turns around. 

My whole financial life was in a downward spiral as well.  I own a condo/townhouse in a nice neighborhood and I've never missed a payment on anything, but I ran up considerable credit card debt to feed my gambling habit.  Quite honestly, I did pretty well betting sports, but it was the dumb online blackjack that got me, as I could never get away from it.  I've still got some CC debt, but I'm working toward paying that off and haven't made a bet online in about a year.  Being sober and whatnot, it's given me a chance to really put some goals in perspective on what I want my life to be. 

I'm 26, and am hoping to be fully out of debt within the next 2yrs.  I'm also planning on continuing to build some $ and work toward some rental property as well.  My condo/townhouse is a 3 bedroom that could easily be rented for $1k a month in my area, and I'm currently only paying around $650/month on the mortgage, so there's room for profit when the opportunity comes.

Just wanted to say that there are a lot of us out there going through similar circumstances, just with different details.  It's nice to hear different stories.

Not trying to hi-jack the thread but just wanted to clarify this. I have been in a bar fight or two in my time. But that night, I wanted no part of it. Even thought I thought(ok I knew) that I would do alright in a scrap with these guys, I just didn't want to go to jail. That was it. That night had cost me enough money and I didn't want to blow anymore on bail or court fines.

Jail sucks, hang overs suck, wasted money sucks. I want to be done with all of it. Worst part was that night really wasn't much fun anyways.

Day 19  

Sleep still sucks. What a fucking grind this is.

3 Family closed last Thursday. I think I'm going to get the fuck out of Boston for a little bit and flip houses in the Charlotte area.

just a quick update. I'm glad i started this thread ... its a fucked up thing to look back and read.  

dont worry about hijacking ... let it rip whenever you want.

the money part is awful. what a fucking waste of a good amount of money. its not even that fun anymore. it starts to get sad at some point.

thanks kap  

no. but i should be. i have a membership at boston sports club until march or april.

Lucky I can control myself and dont need people telling me drugs are bad and I shouldnt get hammered every day.

gl bro

3 weeks now with no opiates, right Detox ..?   Is it getting better...?  I always thought the 3rd week gave me the worst cravings when getting off of straight opiates (not talking methadone or subutex).  It's good to hear of your success.  I am down to 4mg of suboxen per day, but I can still hit the whiskey a bit too hard at times.  I moved to Las Vegas 3 months ago, so I was a bit worried about my habits in this environment, but I'm tapering down.  Threads like this help a lot.  Thanks my man.

you're a retard. too bad they don't make meetings for that.

you're the one that needs the luck.

yeah 3 weeks ... its brutal. seems like its taking forever.

how do you like vegas? is real estate still dirt cheap out there?

yup ... you're right. i keep saying i'm going to do it. i just need to suck it up and get in there.

.... yeah dirt cheap, but still dropping from what I gather ... rock bottom in about 6 - 18 months.  Then would be time to pounce.

Too bad your control is limited to intoxicants and doesnt extend to the realm of social decency, and stopping yourself from passive aggressive narcissism.  You are a full blown eightball of rigged-up a#%hole.

Exactly.   

Relapsed two times cuz of the 3rd fucking week.   

Strong as ever now though.  One day @ a time.   

Haven't checked in a while.  Good to see contributions from experienced addicts.  Great to see this thread still active.

Keep @ it, Detox.  Hopefully you nailed that daily routine I was tellin' ya about. 

Plan your days ahead.  Grab a notepad.  Make a schedule.  Build structure.  And keep rockin' the sober life to the fullest.

How's the meetings going??   

i go every day. they help a lot.

I am a poor example of because gambling as helped me stay off of Drugs & Alcohol.

While using & boozing  -  I'd piss away money gambling.

But now, however, I treat my wagers like I'm back in scool;  Study. Notes. Homework. Etc...

It seems like you know that you need to take a long overdue break.  So just do it.  It's crazy how it works  -  you are "pissing" it away as you say, and it's like the Gambling Gods know exactly that, so they aren't helping you.

I'd advise finding a strong support group to help you out.  A support group is KEY.  Find those who in your exact shoes.  Same color.  Same size.  Same brand.  Everything.  You need an identical person with your problem.  Kick the enablers to the curb.  They don't help.

Just some advice my dude.  I've been where you are.  A few times.

I'm young  -  28  -  and I've fucked my life up twice already.  I got a strong support group.  Loving family & friends.  And they help me out, Day By Day.

All the best.   

That's awesome.  Best news I've heard all week.   

Keep it up.  It gets better & better.  Those in your support group are helping you through this tuff time, and just wait till you can return the favor one day to somebody who use to be where you're at.  It's the best high in the world.