I've really gotten to the bottom and see the fact that I have joined this site as the first step to sorting everything out. I hope so anyway. I need to. I've been gambling for the past 4/5 years, progressively increasing the stakes. It would be great if anybody could give ideas, even small ideas, of things that I can do to distract myself and try to build up my gambling free days. I'm hoping that if I can do 'X' days (not sure how long this needs to be yet) then I will realise that I don't need to gamble. Any tips?
Hi Robsor, welcome to recovery 🙂
Surely by taking the leap of faith required to come here & admit you need to sort things out is proof in itself that you don't 'need' to gamble? Building up your gamble free days is important but the 'want' to gamble may never go away!
Distractions will help you break your gambling (Time-Money-Location, remove one & you cannot gamble) triangle & is a great idea! Have you thought about joining a gym, taking up a hobby, evening classes, anything goes really & some of the things I have come across on here are: cleaning (ovens, windows, cupboards, sheds, gardens, sock drawers, anything), boot fairs, volunteering, colouring in (my particular favourite), reading, box sets (there's a thread on this that hopefully someone will bump for you), karaoke (or open mic nights as it seems to be called now), driving. The absolute best thing I can suggest though is GA...There are meetings all round the country & may be a couple near you that will not only kill some time in the evenings but will open up a world of support to you!
This is a progressive illness! We cannot win because we cannot stop! Time to take your next steps - ODAAT
Hi robsor,
Welcome to GC! You have made huge step by admitting you have a problem and this place is the right place to be to help you on your journey.
As of tips for distarction. There are many....from reading, talking to a friend, going out for a walk/run, putting headphones on, watching a movie to finding new hobby, vollunteering (if time is there) & posting on here ☺
With every passing day ot will become easier, but please make sure you have put as many barriers up as possible. Self exclusions, gambling blocking software. K9 is free one just get someone to put password in for you, there are others like Betfilter or Gamblock which costs about £50 but worth it for keeping you safe when urges strikes. You can always ring up GC for advice also, join the chat rooms which a run on here daily, or consider GA rooms. All these techniques truly works and you can find the way forward without any more self destruction buttoms being pressed ☺
I wish you well, look after yourself and keep posting.
Sandra
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