Going Crazy

Anxiety is without doubt a symptom of withdrawal. Gambling causes a reaction that increases feel-good chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin to the brain. These chemicals are normally released naturally when we exercise; or when we do something good; or something good happens to us.

As these chemicals are raised artificially over long periods through gambling or drugs, the body compensates by either producing less of them or by reducing the number of receptors. Essentially, we build up a tolerance to our body's natural reward system.

When we suddenly stop our addictive behaviour and lose our source of artificial stimulus for these chemicals, it takes a number of weeks for our body to rebalance and begin to produce and react to these these chemicals naturally again. Hence low moods and negative feelings are quite normal. The good news is that the body will recover its natural reward system, but like all real change, it doesn't happen overnight.

Exercise is a good way to raise dopamine levels in the short-term. I was once a hopeless gambling addict, but after three and a half years, I have learnt enough about myself and the psychology of addiction never to return to my old ways, unless I make a conscious decision to do so.

There are tough times ahead for you, but persevere because it does get better and the rewards are life changing and you will have no need for artificial sources of dopamine or serotonin.

Take care my friend

Ken

Hi strugglin73. Sorry to hear that you've been having side effects from anti-depressants. The sleep disturbance, nausea and increased anxiety are fairly normal effects which will lessen and stabilise over a few weeks. Personally I found that they affected me in many ways but cannot dispute the powerful advantages in helping will my positive outlook and calmness, which can be vital in combating an addiction.

Keep the faith and stay gambling free. You owe it to yourself!

Thanks for the comments. I came off the anti depressants after 4 days as they were making me feel awful so going cold turkey at the moment.

One day at a time but day 44 today and fully intend never to return to gambling.

Just wish my body would give me a break and let me sleep rather than being constantly awake. I assume the gambling emotions exhausted me which enabled me to sleep when gambling?

Does anyone know how long withdrawal symptoms can last?

Thanks again

Nick

Morning Nick,

Sorry to see you going through the mill at the moment. I think it's different for everyone to be honest, but for me my 'withdrawal symptoms' eased when I got my finances sorted - that's not to say the 'want' to gamble went away, it's just that I could handle these wants with a clearer head and logically sort through them. I see you have problems with debt, have you put a plan in place yet? If not, I would thoroughly recommend talking to Payplan or Stepchange. Once you have something in place and your head is clearer, you can put all your efforts into fighting the addiction.

We have all gone through the emotions that you are going through at the moment, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy but it does get easier.

Thanks for the kind comments.

Yes finances have all been sorted and the phone calls stopped.

I have a lovely wife and child who I have ignored for 4 years due to gambling and is so difficult to adjust to the new life i am embarking on.

I think gambling was a way of escaping for me from general life and now I don't have that in my life I seem to have a huge void. I should be able to fill this with my family but this is so difficult as hours in the evening were spent in the bookies!

Sure will get better but feel so depressed at the moment.

Hello Struggling73, and well done for joining the forum.

Congratulations on your 44 days today.

It is good that you've introduced yourself here in the 'New members' section. If you like you can join one of the 'Challenge' threads in the 'Overcoming' section, or start an online diary in the 'Recovery diaries' section, to help you maintain regular use of the peer support on the forum. You're also welcome to join the community chat rooms for live group chats with other forum users.

About your anxiety and insomnia; please talk with your GP about these symptoms. Allow your GP to monitor your mood on a regular basis, and talk with your GP about your symptoms of anxiety or depression, and any side-effects or discontinuation-effects you experienced following your medication.

Are you using any talking therapy or counselling or other type of support locally? GamCare provides free counselling appointments to support recovery from problem gambling; if you'd like details of local GamCare counselling you can find out more by calling us on freephone 0808 8020 133 or try the netline.

Take care,

Forum Admin.

Hi struggling.

Dont get too hung up on the antidepressant tablet issue...its the doctors go to position and they dont make everyone feel good. Go back to the doctor and discuss it. I found they didnt do anything I could describe as helping and didnt want to take them

I think they do understand that depression issues are deeper than just tablets..It takes counselling and really getting at the root of how you feel...again its deep so often not as clear to diagnose as some think.

At the beginning the IAPT therapy can seem like painting by numbers and their resources are stretched. Get into it though and they can help based on what you tell them....do tell them straight though as you dont want platitudes...you want direction and real help

Gambling was a pure form of escape for me. Its become clear that my unhapiness in life and any stress would require that hit or fix. I do liken it to a stiff drink or even drugs. Drinking and drugs are not my thing for whatever reason but gambling was.

Gambling was like a chemical cosh to me...seems odd to take in but thats what it was. The reels were a zone out or stress escaper even though they would give me rollercoaster emotions they were emotions that seemed better than reality for that time.

Of course afterwards it was a sinking low that every addiction gives and realisation that its extremely destructive. I assume that drug addicts try and escape in the same way but are actually harming their bodies.

I had voids that I didnt even know a loving girlfriend could help with. In reality I was beginning to see that life held no meaning for me and that is dangerous.

The anxiety issue is also a complex one. Everyone has a natural level of anxiety because it helps protect us. However I got so down that anxiety could leave me in bed for two days. I couldnt face things because my mind would be racing with negative thoughts of past experiences and everything...literally everything which is why its become so overwhelming.

You know we are supposed to be providers in a tough work market. low self esteem. level of achievement and all sorts can just bring us down.

I feel with support and understanding you will get through it. Gambling is a symptom and a highly destructive one.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum