I feel a lost cause

Hi Ashleigh 

It was great to meet and talk to you on the chatroom. As I mentioned I am only 8 weeks gamble free after 44 years of the addiction.

I found the first few weeks really tough but I knew it was never going to be easy after so long. I came to a point where I was literally beat and didn't want to spend the rest of my life destroying myself

For those first few weeks I was constantly tired and trying to catch up on the sleep I missed before. I was so depressed and went to see my GP who referred me for counselling. I spoke to the advisors on here on the live chat more times than I can remember who were unbelievably helpful.when I felt down. I joined GA which was nerve racking but the first meeting there were about 10 there and each one shared their story and it was like listening to my own. There was no judgement and I felt like the chatrooms on here that I was talking to people that actually understood and had been there. Stories on here from Adam who is over 2200 days gamble free inspired me to know I can do this. I got huge amounts of advice on the blocks, how to resists urges, how to replace the dopamine and to stay gamble free

Yes it also takes will power but it can be done and I know it will be a better life if you and I put the work in just like everyone else on here

Stuart

Sorry JessJ

That thread above was meant for you but I put Ashleigh

Hello Jessj,

I am sorry for you and for any other person who is gambling at the moment. You say you have nothing left. Of course you have left lots of things: you have yourself, you have your freedom and you have no debts. I was there lots of times. Last time I put myself in big mess and now I am paying back for the mess I did, but I am paying with money only - I even lost track of the debt management plan I have in place, I am not chasing it anymore, I don’t care anymore when I will be debt free; I just live my life and with no gambling. Money comes and goes, but I still have myself (I rediscovered myself) and I have my freedom. Imagine not having your freedom and think about the ones in prison, they are paying with their time and with their lives. You are still on the good/ lucky side. Being a gambler it doesn’t make you a bad person in the end. It is up to you which kind of gambler you chose to be: the one now or the gambler who stays away from gambling. Just think and end this hell for good - you are the only one who can make this, there are no miracles.

The rot has got stop somewhere it has with all of us you can turn things around just need positive attitude 

Hi Jess

How are you doing ? Have you managed to get a support network in place for you to get you moving forward ?

Stuart