As the topic title states. I joined up this to see if anyone can relate to me on this. The urges are stupid, strong and stopping me from getting sleep. Every time I close my eyes, all I can hear and see is the small white ball rotating around the roulette wheel. Its driving me insane! I have no stresses or issues in my life. (coincidently since I stopped gambling). The first few days I could handle it, last few days its been eating at me. Any suggestions? I won't leave the house as I know I'll end up down the casino. Online gambling is out, thanks to gamstop. I've tried reading, watching films and listening to music. Nothing is helping.
What have you done these last four years to help yourself? How have you managed to abstain?
Has something changed recently?
I’d be interested to know.
Chris.
Hi Chris... (That's a good name).
This is what worked for me. So this may not work for you. Feel free to see if they can fit in your life. I banned all online gambling with gamstop. That'll take you off all online gambling sites.
I don't carry cash when out. Unless I'm out with friends, whom are not gamblers. So they're keeping me safe. Honesty is the best practice. Have people on your side. Going to work distracts my time, no thoughts on gambling.
Attend GA meetings when I could.
What's changed recently? Good question. I have thought about this already to myself, and can't work out what the trigger is. Nothing has changed around me. Last night (morning) I had a bad time with it. Hearing the sounds of the casino, rattling of the chips as they go down the separators, the little ball spinning around the roulette wheel. I wasn't ready for this again after so long being free from it.
Seriously if I could work 18 hours day I would. Maybe I should take up some new hobbies. Who knows, just talking about helps.
Hope this has helped you (?) as it has helped me.
Stay safe and well.
Chris
Hi chris....simple question...are you bored,unchallenged?
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing. I ask because every relapse I had normally came down to my inability to deal with something in life, and if normally came at a time when I had stepped away from GA. I had no outlet to get off my chest things in life I didn’t want to accept or deal with. Also relapses don’t generally just happen, they are the end result of something else in our life, and generally start in our heads a few weeks beforehand. I’m sure at GA you’ve heard the expression “gambling isn’t the problem, you’re the problem”.
My advice through my own experience was get back into a GA room, and if able, work the 12 steps with someone within the group. I’m pretty confident doing that has enabled me to get to where I am now without relapsing again and I’m sure it’s saved my life.
All the best to you.
Chris.
Don't get me wrong Chris, temptation is sometimes there in my face. Sometimes I don't even notice it. Those are my best days. I feel like a normal person, no emotion towards gambling establishments, its just another shop. This is the time of day where I tend to suffer recently. I think that I make it worst by thinking about it. If I stay indoors, I'm fine. Just have to ride it out.
The meets are amazing, even if there is only a few of us there. It really helps. Just like this site.
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