Gambling And Mental Health.

Hi Robl85

That's great you've sought help and done 2 months. It's a real achievement and inspirational to people like me in the early days. Hope life is improving for you now.

I'm day 6 GF but have tried many times to kick the habit. I definitely think poor mental health has been the reason I kept going back.

I've suffered with anxiety and depression most of my adult life. I can 100% identify with what you've said above. I think if you are using gambling for escape and distraction from any mental health issues, and then you quit, suddenly, all those feelings are no longer suppressed and you have to start dealing with them so how you're feeling sounds pretty normal to me. I'm definitely all over the place right now as my diary would confirm. It's not the easy option but it's certainly the better one for a happy life. Gambling just puts you in a vicious circle of emotions.

It's ok to feel how you do, you're dealing with a lot right now, but at least you're working on it and that's something to be proud of yourself for. You're breaking a habit that's been ingrained for a while now so it's going to take time.

Have a good day.

Hi Robl85.

I can also 100% identify with what you have said. I gambled to escape mental health issues. I have lived through depression anxiety and self esteem issues all my known life. I wasnt living a full life but had come to accept it as normal and just me really

The issue with depression is that it creeps over people until they dont know how much they are actually suffering from it. Its a devastating illness which gets so deep that we cannot function properly

I compensated with OCD about possessions and also gambling has been a theme since I was about 12 as it provided that distraction or escape I needed.

With counselling and self analysis I realised that I had been stood there to escape but the addiction develops in a pronged attack when I couldnt leave until I had gambled to extinction. I was accepting a punishment or getting something from the machine punishing me. I realised there is a more complex mix of thoughts than one clear issue

Since stopping gambling I agree that every day is not rosey. I still face the same issues of earning a living and paying bills. I still feel down from time to time. What I am dealing with is that gambling was never the answer and only made things considerably worse . That is an understatement!

Other days I do feel serene though and being gamble free helps this

We also discussed that I was trying to self destruct because what I really wanted to do was shout in the street help me Im lonely, I hate my work, regret my past, Im going nowhere and Ive not made my mark on the world. The thoughts go even deeper about the meaning of life and what is the perfect relationship and purpose.

Gambling was a drug of choice for me in the same way that people turn to substances. I wanted more of it every few seconds and that is what the machines are designed to give.

Gambling is a drug and some people mistake it as just greed or being very silly with money. What I craved was the chemical rush/ doping and escape trance it gave me.

I came to terms with the fact that there is no shame in admitting to a gambling adiction and no shame in admitting I have been depressed.

Best wishes to you all

Yes I have issues with severe anxiety and ocd repetitive behaviours

You write eloquently by the way Katiecoo, your post was captivating and very well constructed, you should be proud of that.