Has anyone found any helpful tools beyond GamCare that has helped?

I have noticed making changes to life style is a key factor lets face it their a alot of negativety people generally drag u down this all matters i realised i have had to distant myself i see the world in a completely different way i know alot of non addicts and some people are just miserable generally that love to drag u down rather then complain and justify gambling i have built myself i realised i am alot stronger and not in need of people validation u dont need to please anyone i am at a stage i actually hate people giving me advice i like to do stuff my way the few friends have noticed these changes and it another reason to continue on bet free journey👍

Hiya

So good that you asked the question and I would like to reply but it's only my thoughts

I think recovery can be broken down into two categories

Firstly stopping yourself from gambling

Secondly stopping yourself from wanting to gamble

First thought, I'm sure you know is about putting the blocks in place so Gamban, Gamstop, moses, sense and banking blocks on gambling transactions. Building the foundations of your recovery. Accountability with someone either looking after your money or at least checking your app and cash in the pocket. That's just a base though 

Second thought it the big one. Understanding why you gamble and retraining your brain or just white knuckling it which I don't think works and if anyone does succeed that way they probably are working on the first way without realising it.

What Taz said is so true.

There are many parts to this and if you want to hear what I do just shout but here's a few ideas 

Connection not isolation. Talking to people, not just about recovery but just chatting. 

Working on recovery everyday. Log on here. Join the Evive app and log on each day. Read posts, join the chatrooms, reply and post

Going to online zooms and sharing, they are 24/7

GA, not for everyone but it's an option and potentially working the 12 steps used across many addictions. 

Honesty and learning to be a better person each day. Reflecting on the day and improving to keep bad characteristics at bay.

Routine and working to one each day

Learning the triggers and avoiding them or being prepared for them

Learning to cope with urges

Learning to cope with adverts and there is a way they don't affect me at all

Creating a new life that you don't want to lose and in essence betting on yourself

Leaving the past as the past, not worrying about the future, just being present in today. Accepting what we can and cannot change 

Openness 

Natural dopamine replacement and where it's available like walking, smiling etc

Using your support network, people and tools 

I gambled for 44 years which is hardly a badge of honour. I was a compuslvie gambler, liar, manipulator and thief. Today I didn't bet, tell a lie or doing anything illegal and I didn't want to.