Hoping this time it sticks

Good evening, firstly well done for reaching out as it's not easy.

Coincidentally, I've gone through the exact same. I've gambled today and wow do I feel ashamed and guilty. All I can advise is to continue to put hurdles in front of you. How did you gamble with the bans you have in place? Have you got GamBlock? Rather than banning yourself on individual sites this covers all.

Please remember 'just for today', it's something spoken about at GA meetings and I must start to acknowledge the meaning of it more. You can't turn back time, you can't and shouldn't wish your life away wanting to be months gamble free or even years. You must take one day at a time, otherwise it's too overwhelming - I am testament to this. 

Keep me updated on your progress, we can go through this together and take each day as it comes. 

Tomorrow is DAY 1 of the rest of your life. Keep your chin up - you are not alone.

By the way, please don't take this as a lecture - I am no expert, especially with my relapse - I just need to be active on here as by trying to help others I hope to help myself.

JFT.

@0ubwyt4379 

hello 

your response means so much to me. Thankyou. 

I have used my mums email address and also my partners to set up new accounts, I am not proud of this but I have always found ways around the blocks or ways to gamble.

i appreciate your advice I do understand this needs to be taken one day at a time. I woke up feeling a lot better today and I feel positive to begin this journey of recovery.

Thankyou

E  

Just reading a reply from justfortoday. What you saying really is great advice just concentrate on the day ahead . Otherwise you look too far ahead and it does overwhelm you . If you wake up and promise yourself you not gambling for next 24hr it's easier. Just do that every morning . You'll get there once your into that say 3 months it will become your good habit . Get hooked on not gambling for the day it's not impossible! 

@blmd1psr5f Absolutely, you just need to focus on today, you'll blink and you'll be a month, 6 months, year into your recovery. Think too far ahead and boom you are overwhelmed and more likely to relapse. Just don't get addicted to recovering, this is genuinely a thing we have discussed at previous GA meetings. You need to find a hobby, whether that be fitness, reading, meditating etc. They say 90 days you break a habit (or it becomes less likely). But just take every day as a victory! 

Last point, start a journal. Write/type your thoughts at the end of the day. Any urges? Why? What's triggered them? How do you feel? Etc, etc, etc. You'd be surprised how much this helps. 

Good luck and if you need anything please feel free to reach out. 

JFT.