My journey starts now ( trigger warning abuse mentioned)

Hey Lucy

Really sorry to hear about your cats, and all the other difficult things you have had to cope with. I broke a run of seven years smoke free when I found my two year old cat dead at the side of the road, so I can really empathise with what you are saying (been back on the smoke free wagon for six years this time). I would recommend you get in touch with a local charity as they may well be able to help more with trauma counselling than the NHS. I have an isva through a local charity and they are going to provide emdr free of charge, which is considered the best trauma therapy.

In awe of all you have accomplished despite so many difficult life experiences. Wishing you the strongest of wills for tackling this addiction. 

All the best 

Roxy

you are one of life's true blessed helping others through hard times taking pain away from others through your actions to help others out of all the posts on  here your spirits shines bright that is amazing and should be very proud of yourself may god  bless you and help you always 😊 

Aww thanks wee g that means such a lot. 

Hi Lucy 

Sorry to read your struggles, and everything you've gone through. Trauma is a heavy load to carry, perhaps the addiction was a way of coping with the trauma

Perhaps if you had some gambling therapy, you may be able to address your trauma, through that, as it sounds like, perhaps, it's a contributing factor just from what you've written.

I know what it's like to be scared to tell people, and especially those we love, the fear of how they'll react is real. If talking is too much, maybe writing partner a letter might help? Or even just might help you prepare for the face to face conversation, a way of getting your thoughts clear kinda thing?

You mentioned gamban which is great, have you done gamstop as well?

The helpline here is fantastic, and I think it's so good we all have this place for support, from people who understand.

Wishing you strength and success on your journey 💚 

Hi Lucy I can relate to nearly everything you said but I'm a male I feel your pain I was abused as a child aswell I'm on my own after splitting with my partner she was a bad gambler and I hated it I never gambled but when we split after 17 years I lost my nana who cared for me as a kid and I started gambling got in over 40k worth of debit got it all sorted out I'm over weight bevause I dint go out of house much no friends family have let me down all my life so I'm on my own been homeless in past like you have your cats I got my rescue dog I managed to stop gambling for about a year and then just lately seen daft advert on tv made me go look at the sight gambled lost a couple of thousand pound then stopped again for few weeks then got payed today and I've just lost 420 pound leaving myself 18 pound to liv on so ove just contacted gameban hope this works for me hope you have good luck aswell ther a lot more to my story I'll do a post about it thanks good luck 

Hi

Keep going to meetings no matter when your last bet was.

The recovery program helps us heal our pains and live a much healthier life.

The time I have put in to my recovery over 50 years.

The meetings help me live a much healthier life.

Each day the choice is mine.

Dave L