DAY 0 - Looking to chat

Hi mate well done for reaching out you are in the right place things can get better i have been trying to beat this addiction for a while got myself into Ga around 2010 and have relapsed many time after until my last relapse which is when i got serious and started using the chatroom i realised my personal issue i was able to manage bet free time but always back to it and with the Ga meeting i was only going to one a week and didnt actually like being their since i found this forums i have dedicated my time to use them frequently i am on their most nights and i am constantly learning i am on 810 days bet free and since that time i have only had few minor urgues and serious urgue few weeks back fortunately for me the recovery kept me bet free and the advisor on here are extremely helpful i felt the urgue coming on had i not kept up with my recovery i would have 100% relapsed even with all the block in place i can still find a way if your anything like me i simply am very vulnerable even though i dont want to gamble these urgues is what i have issue with i have made alot of changes to my lifestyle and i dont want to go back their again been an addict for over 18 years i have quit smoking drink drugs and i have not been tempted gambling on the other hand i struggle with these intense urgues so someone like me needs to be aware of my concequences which i find difficult to control so my only way to remain betfree is to continue on this journey even though the urgues are far between it only takes one you can do this too it the hardest addiction to crack and most people will agree on this

@tazman 

Thanks so much for sharing that, mate. Hearing from someone who’s been through the ups and downs and still pushing forward after 810 days bet-free is both inspiring and grounding for me. It really drives home that recovery isn't about perfection, but persistence.

I can relate a lot to what you said about the urges, they come out of nowhere sometimes, and even with blocks in place, if I’m not mentally in recovery mode, I know I’m at risk. It’s encouraging to hear that the forum and chatroom have helped you, I’ve only just started posting here, but already I feel like I’m in a place where people get it.

Massive respect to you for staying bet-free despite the challenges, and even more so for being honest about the struggles. That level of self-awareness you have, about being vulnerable and needing to stay on top of things is something I’m learning to build in myself too.

I really hope to follow in your footsteps and build a longer stretch of gamble-free time. One day at a time. Appreciate the encouragement and the reminder that this is a long game.