Interested in people's opinion

Gambling in part is defined as "taking risky action in the hope of a desired result" are we talking about ALL forms of gambling like driving above any speed limit if we are running late? Eating fatty foods for satisfaction if we are already overweight? Telling a little lie to our boss to cover our a$$ and hope we don't get found out? Or are we talking about monetary gambling only? I for one pat 2.50 to play in a golf competition most Saturdays, even as a course member we pay an entry fee to win some money for a victory or second place. I'd that gambling? I would say yes. Am I going to give it up? Certainly not I love my golf and I want to play in the competitions and it is an established rule to pay the entry fee which I am not about to challenge 450 members over because I have a FOBT problem. A serious problem at that check my thread if you want to see how serious. I can recognise my anxiety and emotions and gambling triggers and have to live with them for the rest of my life, a bookies or roulette session would devastate everything around me. Imagine running a bit late and hitting someone in your car doing 2 miles an hour above the speed limit, I am sure we have all drove at that speed. How would we live with ourselves if it was proven we were speeding and maybe that extra little speed affected our reaction or breaking time? Just putting it out there as you said you were interested in people's opinion but maybe this should be moved to the debate thread if it still exists as this type of discussion usually gets blood pumping.

I don't know what the percentage would be. But I think a large chunk of members didn't join up with the intentions to quit all forms of gambaling.
Personally I signed up and thought I could still do the football every week as it was only a fiver. Not a problem for me I told myself. It wasn't until I had been round the forum a few months. That I realised that all forms of gambaling had to stop
If I was to start taking my life back.
So yes there is a point in people signing up.

I can't see how moaning about how other members use the forum is going to help yourself in anyway?

I wasn't moaning or being provocative. I was simply curious which I think I said in my post.

I agree Deano when we lose we all look to some other form of winning .Gambling can create false expectations and a temporary buzz or thrill when we win but it when we lose it can sometimes cause problems not for all but thats why most of us are here .Cant speak for every one or preach but coming here and taking the time to read and take on board whats important has been very helpful its a scary world to be in but no longer fearful and best thing is genuinely gf and dont need to chase money for the sake of it.Proactive yes absolutely

Like I said I was just curious and I apologise if my post upset anyone

Its ok Phil we always have to be on our guard and sometimes we can come across as defensive.This place is just a way of sharing our thoughts,opinions and experience on a day to day basis.good luck with your recovery

Phil I may of taken it out of context. So apologies for going off on one.
I think the question is that complete abstinence is obviously by far the best method.
But and it's a big but. It's better for people to be doing something than nothing at all. Like I said I joined with the intention of doing the football still. And now I'm complete abstinence
I guess what I'm saying is I'm one of those people who the question relates to and here I am
It just takes time to sink in
Maybe the post would of been better in the debates section?
Bw Deano

I agree it should have Deano. Anyway there was no malice on my part just posted in the wrong section! All the best Phil

It's denial Phil, the guys and girls who have been told that have a serious problem but are still arrogant enough to think they can control it (yeah, how has that worked out so far?) Or making excuses not to put the blocks in place after being told sound advice by people ACTUALLY hoping to quit.

Like deano said some of us have tried to keep doors open for the lower value stuff, but it always (ALWAYS) spirals back to the big losses.

Some people find this forum and think they're cured when in actual fact this is when the hard work starts.

Like I've said it's a one day at a time thing for me. The forum has been a great help but is part of the process not the whole process.

You have said many times, it's a one day at a time thing for you, without actually expanding on what on earth that means to you. Perhaps if you were to flesh it out a bit people wouldn't take it in the wrong context?

Why not explain what you have found useful & what you're doing rather than deciding if others are deserving of being here.
Honesty is about telling how it is & was for you, rather than how it should be for them.

Actually I never said anything about anyone else "deserving of being here" and if you read my diary maybe you would see what I have found useful. No-one has ever taken it in the wrong context on my diary page and I think a lot of people know what I mean. I was merely curious and if anyone is being judgemental here it's you - again.

Ok, have read your diary & i'm still none the wiser. No definition of what you mean by one day at a time. You mention excluding from local bookmakers, but thats about it
I have no idea about your gambling history. No idea how or what has made your progress thus far successful. How you have overcome thoughts & difficult situations.
What do you do one day at a time?

You are talking c@@P. I've mentioned loads of stuff besides self-exclusion. Mental attitude, behaviour, amends etc. I know you have your own little fan club on here but I'm not a member but do me the courtesy of reading my diary properly instead of trying to antagonise me. Just self-exclusion??!! You're having a laugh!