relapse

There are many great posters on here who will give you excellent advice. What you have shown is that you can abstain and also that you recognise you can't stop when you engage with gambling so you know for you it is far too dangerous. You have to dust yourself down forget those losses and carry on as you were. You don't have to return to the dark side. You have proved you don't need it. This was a glitch that's all. Leave it and carry on. You have achieved more than most of us so don't let this moment if madness drag you back in. The money has gone. So what- your mental well being is far more important.

Hi Urbansky

Well done on identifying you have a problem and need help even though you have abstained previously.

The majority of compulsive gamblers have underlying emotional issues that subcontiously drive us to gambling. Whilst you have done awesome in the past abstaining is it fair to say you may have not dealt with these emotional problems? Therefore whilst you have done well abstaining, the things that took you to gambling in the first plce are still there and always will be until they are dealt with.

I gambled for over 10 years, racked up massive debt and eventually lost my job due to gambling. I am now just over 100 days gamble free. i had always said i gambled to win money and chased losses. The more along this journey i go the more i realise that there are underlying issues i have been unable and unwilling to deal with. I go to GA twice a week and a councillor once a week. They have helped me realise this.

Have you considered that you may need more help than just abstaining and willpower and GA may be a good idea?

Well done on seeking help again and remeber to take a day at a time and 'For today i will not gamble'

Best wishes on your journey.

Thank you so much for your reply I find the comments and advice helpful I also appreciate the time it's takes to reply
Makes me feel better to know there are people out there with the same problem willing to help and support others x

Hello Urbansky,

As a person who has relapsed several time in my life, I can tell you that the biiggest reason for my relapses were because I was bored and that I thought I had Gambling beaten.

What I have learned is that I am always a Compulsive Gambler. I will always be a Compulsive Gambler. I am just a Compulsive Gambler who choses not to Gamble anymore.

This disease requires constant vigilence. The more free time you have, the more in need of a rush you will crave. The key is to find that rush in something else.

Don't worry about the relapse. Focus now on not relapsing again, as that is where the real fight is.

And of course, forgive yourself, as none of us are perfect.

I will be hoping for your success.

Regards,

AM