Bear in Recovery (Martin)

Visiting a friend in prison today. Same prison I was in just over a year ago. Just sharing a coffee and a piece of chocolate with someone who doesn’t get visits is a privilege and I hope a sign that they, and we all, have value.

Early morning walks remind me there is beauty in this world if only we take the time to look around!

Today marks one year to the day since I was released from prison. I'm grateful for the support I've had and as all those who have experienced addiction know sustained recovery is about daily action not just hope.
#inmylife #recovery #odaat #prison #RecoveryPosse

Heading home from a meeting in Coventry with some quality reading!

On a bus atm and just passed a nasty accident. The number of people just watching and videoing the aftermath was disturbing. Let the ambulance staff treat the injured, don’t treat it like entertainment.

Early start on my way to do some prison visiting. Honoured and privileged to be able to do so. Who was it that said ‘a civilised society can be defined by how we treat those in prison’.
#recovery #rehabilitation

Antonio Gramsci wrote this whilst in prison. Seems prescient today…

“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.”

3 new members at my @gamblersanonuk.bsky.social meeting last night. Really feel for them and the carnage in their lives right now. But hopefully they saw that the rooms make a difference for all struggling with this illness. One day at a time.
#RecoveryPosse

The gambling industry is a licence to print money. Tax it properly – and turbocharge the fight against child poverty | Gordon Brown New thinking is urgent now. I have not seen such deep poverty since I grew up in a mining and textiles town blighted by unemployment, says former prime minister Gordon Brown

I really respect & admire ⁦‪Gordon Brown‬⁩ and this article is excellent. His commitment to ending child poverty is real. However he misses the fact that the growth in gambling venues in poorer communities is actually exacerbating poverty & despair. M

Just arrived for long day at hospital. Grateful to be reading 📖 a good book, sipping tea and having wonderful nurses!

Every day gamble free is a win! 🥇

“Maybe it’s not too late to learn how to love and forget how to hate.” - Ozzy Osbourne RIP

On the anniversary of 7/7 in London I am reminded of the words of Ken Livingstone who spoke so eloquently for us all.

It’s great to watch @wimbledonltc.bsky.social on TV and it’s even better not to be bombarded by gambling adverts. #Grateful
In celebration of this I thought this would be fun….

So I gave in to the hype and bought @marksandspencer strawberry 🍓 & crème sandwich. Gotta say it was amazing! If this is the taste of summer then this bear 🐻 will get hot and sweaty all summer long provided I get another one!

It’s easy to get down with all the bad news in the world right now. It’s a scary time.
So let’s all try to be a bit kinder to each other, look for the good, and when it’s hard finding the good,then simply do someone a good turn and be the change we need.

I came across this today and found it enlightening. M

How Casinos Enable Gambling Addicts Modern slot machines develop an unbreakable hold on many players—some of whom wind up losing their jobs, their families, and even, as in the case of Scott Stevens, their lives.

A friend just emailed me and said ‘I think I understand you a bit better’ and asked how I was. It meant a lot.
The article was an interesting read.
#recovery #recoveryposse #addiction

Midweek ‘self care’ treat!

At my @gamblersanonuk.bsky.social meeting last night I was surprised by a little party and my pinning for 3 years. I missed the open meeting as I was in hospital but they were determined to celebrate and I’m so grateful!!!
#grateful #recovery #odaat #RecoveryPosse

Today marks 1200 days without gambling. I started on slots when I was 15. Took over my life and eventually consumed me, destroying me and those around me. #grateful to so many for help and care. Always #onedayatatime #ODAAT
@gamblersanonuk.bsky.social
@gordonmoodyorg.bsky.social

Sunday morning walk’n’talk with my @gamblersanonuk.bsky.social group. Followed by @CostaCoffee . Great start to a Sunday.
#recovery #RecoveryPosse #addiction
#coffee

If you don't leave your past in the past, it will destroy your future. Live for what today has to offer, not what yesterday has taken away.
#RecoveryPosse #Sobriety #SoberSky

Sometimes this bear 🐻 wishes he could be Paddington Bear!