Hello
i have not gambled for 9 months now. This is after causing irrerperable harm. I have been attending GA but struggle every time I go. I get unsettled before in terms of all day. And then can’t ever sleep after.
It has been useful but not sure wether to keep going as it’s causing me to be unsettled too much.
i didn’t go for a few weeks due to circumstances and slept the best I have done and never thought about gambling.
I don’t know wether to keep going or not ? Has anyone any advice
Hello Goldem10
Congratulations on 9 months gamble free. Sorry you're finding GA meetings unsettling. It would be good to hear from other forum users about their experiences of GA. But from our experience we hear lots of stories from people who stopped working on their recovery because they'd been gamble free for a time, and then relapse.
If you decide that GA isn't for you, there are alternatives. For example, GamCare offers free 1:1 treatment. You can find out more at our website: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/our-treatment-offer/ or contact us on the HelpLine 0808 8020 133, or chat to us on the NetLine.
Hopefully forum users will be along to chip in with their experiences of Gamblers Anonymous.
Keep posting,
Forum Admin
Hi Goldem
I can't offer any advice on GA as I've never attended , many on here swear by it but I know many others either don't feel the need or maybe it's just not for some .
9 months gamble free is something you should be very proud of as it takes courage and determination to get through those early months .
I f something's causing you sleepless nights and anxiety and once you stop it gets better then maybe that's your way forward for now at least ? , the whole point of recovery is to remain gamble free and to move forward in a healthy and different way than the one we were once on .
There's no right and wrong way to do this as it's really bespoke and in my opinion if it's not broke don't fix it ?.
I've been here gamble free for almost 4 years now and kind of dealt with it all as I saw fit , it's served me well in that time , so I'd be inclined to go with your gut instinct on this as there's always the choice to return to GA or even look at switching to a different meeting should you feel the need :)).
Wishing you well for now
Alan
You've had both sides of the coin there Goldem and it's your choice as always what you do , as I said I'm not really at liberty to discuss the rights and wrongs of GA just to say " How it's been for me " , I've as stated never felt the need as it's a little like " Painting by numbers " for me and I'm a bit of a " Chuck the paint on the canvass and see what happens " kinda guy .
You know you, like I know me and we both know what were capable of and I'm sure you'll make the right decision as you figure that out , as admin have said there's a multitude of different support options out there and the worlds your limpet :)) .
Stay well and keep safe :))
Counselling or anythng is always difficult, it own't be easy.
Why is it unsettling? You have to deal with it face on, like with most forms of trauma and addiction, it is easier to just keep it buried away, but that won't fix things.
If the setting isn't right maybe explore another avenue, but don't give up on tackling the ROOT of your addiction.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
