Just Kidding myself

The amount of money means nothing eventually, you could bet with the value of a house, win double and still want more! 

No-one can ever beat the system, you’ll always be the loser. 

Every evening I’d go to bed and say to myself ‘That’s it, no more!’ Within hours I was back on it! But as of today I am 272 days GF and I cannot explain in words how happy I am now. 

Good luck with your journey 😊

@cpparch 

Definitely my friend, you are 100% right. No matter what I won I always wanted more, thanks for the message and good luck on your journey, 

I did for years I would say right starting Monday I’m not doing it and within half an hour I’d be on the slots and then beat yourself up because you failed again then you have a good win and think well it’s Not all that bad the you lose and it a vicious circle but something clicked In me today and I though no more 

@oisecwz19j 

Sounds very similar to myself, I’m day 3 in and I am getting urges and feel tired thinking about it but I hope as time goes on this will fade, hopefully we can beat this demon we have.

@s8l5wh3eno you’ve done the hardest part already I actually feel good today it’s day one for me I have self excluded all the sites through GameStop so no temptation now it’s time to change the routine and find joy in the things that we did before this I gave up smoking in jan something g I never though I would do but it’s four months on and I’m not smoking yes it’s hard with any addiction it’s like what do we do now rediscover who we are and beat the demons

@oisecwz19j 

great advice, it’s been so long I don’t know what I enjoy as gambling consumed my whole thought process as long as I can remember, I think finding Things I enjoy is key for me, thanks for your good advice and best of luck on your journey 

The urges don't go away. We're born with nothing. We die with nothing. The bit in between is as f****d up as we choose to make it. That's my outlook. It's hard to let go because the fantasy takes over and it's a distraction, but it's just materialistic boll*cks when you break it down. Money buys us freedom and we all want freedom. Trouble is, when you gamble your mind can never be free and that's the counter productive nature of it.

Beans with mental peace, or caviar with a whole world of worry. That's the choice.

I choose beans, but the 5:30 at Warwick does look tempting..... 

Seriously though, just be resolute and take back control. Don't become a victim of the dream that the gambling industry shoves down our throats. Dreams can quickly turn into nightmares.

Start with baby steps like find something small to start with it’s the whole thought process and changing your routine that’s difficult because out whole day was taking up with the thoughts of gambling and gambling like my routine in the morning coffee and pick up my phone within ten mins of waking up so this morning I left my phone alone and enjoyed my coffee and watched tv for half an hour easier today because I’m self excluded now so I couldn’t even if I wanted to I have told my sister and my partner it’s like a weight has been lifted 

Hi

Being a compulsive Gambler was a very painful experience.

Being a compulsive Gambler just indicated that I Had certain emotional triggers.

When I was not able to process things in a healthy way I would try and escape people life and situations.

Being in the recovery program I thought that Gambling was my own problem.

 In time I would understand that the recovery program would help me heal my pains.

By reducing and facing my fears I did not have to to lie to my self or other people.

The money was the fuel for my addictions.

In time I would reduce my fears, heal my pains and become a much healthier person.

Being in the recovery program I was no longer a loner and no longer felt an out cast due to my  guilt shames and regrets.

Before the recovery program I was very vulnerable.

I use to panick far to often which just indicated the high levels of fears that I lived in.

By doing the work and being in the recovery program I was became healthier and healthier.

I moved from thinking or saying I am bad wrong and changing names I called my self to healthier.

Healing Loving and peace to every one.

Dave L

AKA Dave of Beckenham

@18v5o3utfj 

I think your correct about the urges, ( mine anyway) I know I’m only a few days gamble free but I can’t get it out of my head but the only positive is I am resisting and thinking about the consequences if I lost. Big problem for me is I am a massive football fan and really enjoy watching football especially at weekends, this is what I gamble on mostly until I found the fixed live roulette. Is it a good idea to pick bets you would have done and c how they would have done or just try to ignore it?

@18v5o3utfj 

I think your correct about the urges, ( mine anyway) I know I’m only a few days gamble free but I can’t get it out of my head but the only positive is I am resisting and thinking about the consequences if I lost. Big problem for me is I am a massive football fan and really enjoy watching football especially at weekends, this is what I gamble on mostly until I found the fixed live roulette. Is it a good idea to pick bets you would have done and c how they would have done or just try to ignore it?

Don't pick bets. It will drive you crazy. I picked a horse single/double and treble and didn't do it after getting tempted the other day. It would have won me over xxx and I was gutted. It messed with my head and then I lost money the following day trying to recreate it!. I've quit now too and I'm moving on after 20 years of gambling. I've lost allot of valuable time, despite not losing money overall.

It's the indecision and turmoil it creates that is damaging. When you're gambling your mood hangs in the balance of an outcome which is beyond your control. Yes, there are highs, but the lows feel terrible and there's no way of predicting with certainty which way it will go. 

We'd all be millionaires if it was that easy. I used to notice following a win that the elation is short lived. It quickly changes to anxiety surrounding the next bet and the next decision. It only takes a couple of losses and the win becomes a distant memory. Then the preoccupation and pressure takes over again. 

It makes me laugh when people say don't chase. Every bet is a chase! You're either chasing the next win or trying to repair the loss. It's a never ending cycle of torment.

I'm going to focus on that thought if I get tempted and start glamorising it in my head again.

@18v5o3utfj Phenomenal post sir.