hello,Â
its been about a year of being gamble free but unfortunatley I’ve relapsed. Not sure about anyone else on this site but there are so many triggers in day to day life that I struggle to avoid.Â
What started this episode off was someone at work mentioning that they had won big on online slots. It got me thinking and by the end of the day I knew I was going to gamble. Told myself it would just be a few pounds but by the end of the night I had lost all my money for the month. Luckily most of my bills had already gone out but its going to be a very tight month and probably use credit card for things like petrol and food.Â
I’ve self excluded and also blocked gambling transcations. I know I cant be too hard on myself because I have an adidiction and this time was different because I didnt take out a loan or use an overdraft so I call this small progress.Â
I think sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves and not realise this is an illness. Take all of the help that is out there. For me I want to remember how I feel now - the shame, the fear of trying to survive this month - and I need to use this next time I feel an urge.Â
Sorry for rambling - being back on here has helped and its back to counting the days of being gamble free.Â
Hi Kate, looks like you didn't cause too much damage. You've putted blocks in place so that sounds very responsible on your part. I'm at 10 months and i relapsed once which is really good for 10 months. Don't takeway the fact that you were at one year gamble free and now you have to start again. It was just a mistake and you are still gamble free with one strike.Â
Hi Kate45,
Sorry to hear you have relapsed. Well done for stopping then self-excluding and using blocking software. If you would like some support and information please contact the helpline on 0808 8020 133. It is open 24/7. You can also be referred for 1:1 treatment via the helpline.Â
Best Wishes
Forum Admin
Hi Kate45,Â
There is always the good and the bad feeling that one takes away from an episode. What is important to know is that you had a clean one year and did succeed, until the relapse. Triggers will continue to come your way, you cannot escape them, and I guess that at this point it would possibly be important to understand how to deal with the trigger, and if one gets through the day and possibly make that all important telephone cal to say... GamCare, you will go surely past the moment., and raise your resistance bar.
Remember you could meet a friend who says he is simply winning £10 a day, will not tell you of any loss and could say that with no risk is doing well now for a few weeks, and possibly talk to others on a work table. The likely hood of a recovering addict to relapse is very high and go on to silently loose 100 times that amount is a real possibility in-spite of knowing how the story will end. It scares the hell out of me.
The time between hearing this person and loosing a lot of money is a blink of an eye.
Would certainly suggest taking the 1 to 1, and work with the current issues that you may counter, as you have certainly done well and already captured a few mountains.
Stay strong, you are certainly on a good road to recovery.
Best Wishes.
Â
I think relapsing is my biggest fear I have only been gamble free for 2 weeks dead on but your absolutely right there are so many triggers.
I wish you all the luck because you can do it
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