Hello everyone, I've been a gambling addict for 15 years. I've been clean for 87 days. I've tried to break free from this addiction countless times over the years. I started and then started again. I thought breaking free was a matter of willpower. But it turns out it wasn't. It's a disease. When I started seeing a psychologist and watched YouTube videos from professors on the subject, I realized I had a brain disorder. When gambling provides instantaneous pleasure and then plummets, and this happens repeatedly, the control area in the frontal lobe of the brain is damaged. This leads to a loss of control over gambling. For 87 days, I've felt like I've been reborn. I've returned to my normal life after many years. I've paid off my debts and started taking care of myself. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Although English isn't my native language, I joined this site to help others.
Hi there
firstly, congrats on your current success and wishing you every success moving forward with your journey.Â
I also have been gambling for a similar period of time .. about 13 years consistently… today I am trying to take back control by signing up for GameStop, and downloading the gamban software onto my devices. Now it is practically impossible for me to bet online which is half the battle. I’m still worried of the temptation to gamble in shops. I’m still worried about the feeling of being on autopilot when I do have money in my pocket or bank account to gamble… but hopefully I can build my resolve.
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i wanted to ask… what steps are you taking to take back control? What do you think you are doing by differently this time which is working better for you than past attempts ? Â
best wishes
C3Â
Hi C3, just to add to this if you are worried about going into shops still and are UK based, there is a great service called MOSES where you can ban yourself from stores you frequently visit. Hope this helps! L
87 days is such an inspiring milestone. It takes real strength to acknowledge gambling as a disease and seek professional help. Many people underestimate how deeply it affects the brain, so sharing this perspective can be a real eye-opener for others still struggling.
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