I thought I would start my first ever post on this forum with how we start all GA meetings. "Hi my name is Adam and I'm a compulsive gambler. My last bet was 29th April 2012.
I have been reading posts on this site pretty much every night since the start of my recovery and thought it was overdue that I contribute to the group. Reading all the posts are a daily reminder that it doesn't matter how long it's been since your last bet, we're all just as close to our next, and that we all just have to take one day at a time.
A little background story about me, I started gambling like most on fruit machines in amusements. The buzz of chasing the machine jackpot and beating the games was more of a thrill than actually winning the pot. The jackpot for me was normally more about having to break even or recover my losses. A desperate and familiar feeling for lots of other people on here I imagine?
I then inevitably moved onto bigger stakes, casino's and FOBT's, getting into debt with credit cards and loans to consolidate losses. I know everyone's stakes are different but for me I couldn't go into a casino without £300 in my hand, and I wouldn't consider it a win until I at least doubled it. I've lost £3,000 in one night before, and my last betting session was in a bookies where I lost £400 on a FOBT. Enough was enough. I didn't hit rock bottom I reached a point of intervention, a point where I said enough was enough. Gambling addiction like lots of addictions doesn't just effect the individual but also effects those closest to us. Unfortunately you don't' realise this until you stop, and you can't see this during either. I believe it is an illness, and although we can't cure it we can be control it. We do this by putting what we call "barriers" in place. Something lots of people talk about on this forum. Limiting our access to money or giving all your cash to someone you trust. Shopping vouchers was a good one I recently read from a previous post. Having your wages paid into someone else's account. Self exclusion and gamblock too, or even getting rid of that smart phone! Whatever your poison is it's about limiting your access to it.
I always say that like back in school with the fire triangle (heat, fuel, oxygen) there's a gambling triangle too. TIME, MONEY, LOCATION. If you remove one of those elements then you can't bet. Just something to bear in mind when thinking about the boundaries you can put in place and whether you really need to walk past that bookies on your way home?
I could go on and on but I've probably wrote enough. I don't mean to go on but recovering from gambling is one of the things in life I'm most proud of. I know there's been a few negative comments about GA on this forum and I would like to say that without it I wouldn't be where I am today. Some meetings are boring, but you don't know what you're missing on the nights you don't go. It's not always about you but your stories or experiences which might be able to help someone else. I think 2 hours a week isn't much to ask. I wouldn't be where I am today without this site either so I'd also like to thank GamCare and all it's contributors for help with my recovery too.
Thanks for reading this post and letting me share a few things. Will look forward to receiving any feedback and being more active on this forum going forward.
Best wishes to a bet free 2014.
Adam 🙂
HI Adam, an excellent post with an inspirational message, thank you for sharing it my friend and very well done on the significant progress you have made so far.
I gambled for twenty years before stopping around six years ago. I left it very late to visit GA, and I have to say that I think it would have helped a great deal if I had gone earlier on.
Like a lot of people, the religious overtones put me off, but when I went, there was little mention of it; the best thing was to be around people who understand and appreciate what you are going through - it makes you feel normal, and that you are not alone; gambling is such an isolating affliction and the world largely doesn't understand it, so GA can help piece it together and I, like you would recommend it.
Thank you again my friend. It is wonderfully refreshing to see a positive, upbeat post such as yours and I wish you continued success and happiness.
JamesP
Hi JamesP,
Thanks for your reply. I've been lurking in the wings of this forum for a couple of years now, and have seen hundreds of your encouraging posts to others. Your dedication to this forum and exemplary support to others is largely the reason I decided to finally join in, so I just wanted to say thank you for not only posting to others but with helping in my recovery too.
I'm reading through lots of posts in detail now and there's so much I want to say on each.
I don't think GA is religious at all, we only say the serenity prayer to close each meeting as a mark of respect and tradition. I'm extremely proud of being a member of GA and everyone's welcome to go to any. I urge anyone trying to beat this addiction to visit their next meeting. It's not the answer for everyone but it's certainly another resource to help. Don't knock it until you've tried it as they say.
Best wishes to a bet free 2014 JamesP
Thanks again,
Adam 🙂
Thank you Adam, that is enormously kind of you and genuinely appreciated.
Wise words my friend and it is great to see someone right praising GA; I do wish more people could take advantage of it.
I hope to see more of your wise words and intelligent approach my friend, take care and I wish you all the very best for a gamble-free 2014 too.
JamesP
Hi Adam I have just read your post and your words are very inspirational to me, I have just started a diary as I have been meaning to for along time now, if you could give me any advice on how u have manage to stay gamble free that's would be very helpful.
Hi Adam. A very encouraging story there. I like the idea of the gambling triangle, you're so right! Take one thing away and you can't do it. Good luck for the future, I hope you continue the good work
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