Addiction

I have used financial controls. It was the only way I could stop. But even then I didn't stop 100 % > I didn't have money to gamble with because of my financial controls but when I got tips at work I would gamble with that. Fortunately it was never much and I haven't had any bad disasters since I put my controls in place. Here is what I mean by my financial controls: My paycheck gets direct deposited into my wife's checking account to which I do not have access. I have no credit or debit cards any longer. My wife buys me what ever I need and pays all the bills. I really have avoided gambling disaster not because I have will power or self -control (haha that's a good one! ) but simply because I don't have much money to gamble WITH. Hope this might help you to get some ideas to create your own recovery system. Best wishes.

@gerard-g hello thanks a never thought of that a think a will do same  will be a lot easier if a haven't got money cheers

Here is a copy of the letter I wrote to myself which made me realize that enough was enough and the reason why I put the financial controls in place. You may find it useful. Best wishes.

Dear Gerard,

So, you had a relapse. Well, OK, what's done is done. But why do you keep saying to yourself, "Why am I so stupid?". Negative self-talk is not productive. 

Remember when your son was little and got a bad infection and you took him to hospital? Did the doctor say to him, "Why are you so stupid?" No, of course not. He said, "you're sick and we are going to get you the treatment you need to make you better."

So instead of asking yourself, "why am I so stupid?" tell yourself instead, "I'm sick and I need to seek the treatment I need to get better."

Your mind does what you tell it. There are many recovery options available and you only have to make the decision to use them.

Sincerely,

your conscience

@gerard-g thank you I'll keep that in mind