DAY 5 and feeling motivated

Hi A86N

Well done on admitting you hve a problem and reaching day 5.

Its never easy and only a compulsive gambler knows how hard it is to go 1 day not gambling let alone 5 days.

I see you have identified that you gamble when you re stressed, anxious and upset. It is often siad us compulsive gamblers gamble due to underlying emotional turmoil, so great stuff on identifying some of your triggers.

However do you have anything in place to stop you gambling when these triggers may arise?

For me i put in many blocks and have kept them in and plan to do so for the foreseeable future, i am only 100 days into my recovery however i feel without these blocks i would be thinking about gambling constantly and may possibly relapse.

I have attended GA since day one of my recovery and they suggested blocks to be input to prevent me from gambling. The also provide great knowledge and support. I feel you may benefit from this especially at times when your triggers arise, talking these through with people and coming up with ways to manage how your feeling and your gambling urges.

Have you considered going to GA?

I gambled for 10 years racked up massive debt, lied to everyone and eventually lost my job due to gambling. I started going going to GA in January and now over 100 days gamble free. It really can provide the knowledge and support needed to help manage this illness and most important keep you vigilante to any possible relapse in the future.

Take one day at a time and good luck with your journey - 'For today i will not gamble'

Hi kinger251285

I have gave my bank card to my girlfriend so i cant take any money out but i do have a credit card if i need any food when shes not there as she lives a hour by train away. I have started to buy my food and bits i need when my girlfriend is about so when she is not with me i still can eat, the credit card is just a back up if i need somthing. I have password for my phone so i cant downloads gambling apps like i used to and my manger at work has that so i cant get hold of it. Im currently looking into website blockers on my laptop so that i also dont be temped and when i next see my girlfriend i will go into all the bookies and ban myself which is alot where i live 🙁 i feel im in the zone where i kick this addition.

GA, i dnt fancy that step just yet i have been thinking about 1 to 1 with a specialist but if my urges gets strong then yes i will consider GA.

I do appreciate you taking your time to help me in my recovery and i hope you the very best on yours as over 100 days is great!

thank you

Aaron

Hi Aaron

Well done with handing over your cards, sounds like you have made some real positive steps.

K9 is a good blocking software and free, settings can be adjusted so it doesnt block all adult material etc but you must have someone put a password in to stop you from just un-blocking it again. Preferably someone you can trust and not manipulate to remove this.

I have seen a 1 to 1 councillor for about 7 weeks and have found it very useful. This was arranged by gamcare so contact them as they may be able to arrange this for you too.

I dont mean to bang on but out of interest why do you not fancy GA?

I had many misconseptions before i went.

I don't do well in talking infront of a group not gambling wise but anything even if i was to stand up in front of 5 to 10 people i dont no or even if i do know them and tell them my name and what i do for a living would be very hard for me as i hate things like that, i get all tense and just seem to have a complete brakedown so i just would like to not put myself in the sitiuation unless its a must!!

thats the alone reason.

Aaron

Thats cool, thanks for sharing.

I have the same problem, absolutely hate talking in front of people, even friends sometimes. I often go to GA not to talk but often to listen. Which i feel is the most vital thing, someone could say something that you may not have thought about and i can help you.

Hopefully you dont get into that MUST situation, i do wish you the best of luck with your recovery.