Putting the pieces together

Hello @thedude1991,

Welcome to the Forum!

Firstly, massive congratulations on your time gamble free. What a huge achievement. 

I'm sorry to hear that you're still struggling with anxiety. It is definitely possible to learn techniques that make it easier to manage your anxiety, and that can help lessen it. Some people find mindfulness to be helpful in this and you may wish to explore this option. You can find a free mindfulness course and resources here:

www.palousemindfulness.com

To be clear, this is not a course created or endorsed by GamCare and you should do your own research to decide if mindfulness would be helpful for you.

It sounds like you have a lot of experiences that would be really useful to the other users of the Forum, and I'm sure they have insights that will be useful to you too.

Welcome!

Best wishes,

Elizabeth

Forum Admin

Posted by: Forum admin

Hello @thedude1991,

Welcome to the Forum!

Firstly, massive congratulations on your time gamble free. What a huge achievement. 

I'm sorry to hear that you're still struggling with anxiety. It is definitely possible to learn techniques that make it easier to manage your anxiety, and that can help lessen it. Some people find mindfulness to be helpful in this and you may wish to explore this option. You can find a free mindfulness course and resources here:

www.palousemindfulness.com

To be clear, this is not a course created or endorsed by GamCare and you should do your own research to decide if mindfulness would be helpful for you.

It sounds like you have a lot of experiences that would be really useful to the other users of the Forum, and I'm sure they have insights that will be useful to you too.

Welcome!

Best wishes,

Elizabeth

Forum Admin

Thank you so much Elizabeth. Looks like something I can use. Very good explanation. I will focus on the program.

I try to support other people on here as well. I no longer have the urge to gamble as I found the root in me that caused the gambling and drinking. 

Thank you very much for your attention. Love the forum 

Hi

your post made me need to stop and reply. Firstly how amazing you have been GF for two years! You are total inspiration. Secondly I just didn’t want you to feel alone. I have had anxiety and depression for about 21 years but it was only since gambling lows caused me to get so much worse I’ve ended up in a&e it got so severe. I take antidepressants now which help me so much. I don’t have panic attacks anymore but I do still get anxiety (although I can manage it) 

I am all for alternative help though. A specific app called stop anxiety was amazing for me. I put my headphones in at bedtime and played this app which is almost like a relaxing meditation. I would fall sound asleep and it’s made me feel a lot calmer. I also paint and draw often which is my happy place so having an enjoyable hobby which isn’t too strenuous also helps. 
I am very open about my mental health now and being able to talk to people and Friends has been like a god send. 
I don’t believe there is a cure as such either but I do believe you can feel better and control it so that is doesn’t ruin your life (a bit like gambling recovery I imagine putting it like that) 

listen to your body and understand when you need time out mentally and physically. Get plenty of sleep and honestly diet is paramount along with cutting caffeine. 
You can feel better but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You are a recovering addict who is doing absolutely amazingly. You can overcome this anxiety and make it manageable also. 

wishing you the best of luck and I am here if you need to talk