ROULETTE OBLIVION

Because we are human.Gambling finds us when we are vulnerable (and we can be vulnerable when things are going well in our lives too).You have beaten it before and I am sure you can do so again. The same thing has recently happened to me.I came into some unexpected money but didn't have enough barriers in place to protect myself...and I spent it all.But it has made me more determined than ever to quit permanently.Stay strong x

Thank you for this: I am finding it so hard that we go and put our hands on the nuclear warhead of gambling just to see if it will explode...we must to learn to care for ourselves. so hard xx

It has given me strength knowing that you have succeeded in 3 and a half years of not gambling.Think of all the positives you enjoyed while abstaining,and you will draw strength from that and I am sure you will find the determination to carry on.After all,you have not gambled for 99.99 percent of the last 3 years!That is quite amazing.I have only ever managed 3 months...I would be grateful to hear some tips from you about how I can abstain for longer. Don't be too hard on yourself and remember that you have had a huge success and that there is absolutely no reason why you can't do it again.Be strong!

I was off it for 3 weeks and thought a was doing well then yesteday a was same old me at it again a new bookies open at bottom off road n a go in lost everything a had saved in the 23 days plus a need tae beat this

Dear All, okay yes I managed 3 and a half years and how did I do it? Not too sure but this I know: The HELL of gambling seems to EXACTLY reproduce the trauma of something from the past. I have worked with a pal of mine who does EFT and she describes trauma as being put inside a capsule and buired. Let me explain...so perhaps you felt neglect or something as child. Even being shouted out and upset creates a crzay kind of adrenalin which is addictive rather like speed (never done drugs thank god!) When you gamble and suffer it offers some form of perverse self soothing as you re-create something which almost feels as bad as the early trauma. This recent speight is very much a blip...I think I plunged back down into hell for some reason. What I do see is that the combination of booze and gambling is LETHAL. when I stopped before I also stopped drinking as they are very much interlinked. What I do know is that LIFE IS FAR BETTER GAMBLE FREE!!!! That is what winning feels like. Us gamblers are so rubbish with money; we HAVE to learn how to self soothe/parent and realise that gambling is a way of desperately trying to connect with out lost inner self/child or whatever. Anyway these are my thoughts. I think (and I really mena this) life is so much better once you free yourself from the addiction. I'm on my day four...the danger is NOT FORGETTING...recovery is an active process. Thank GOD for gamcare. Hope my post makes sense. I am in the middle of beating myself up for blowing all my savings phase....x

I know what you mean about the trauma thing. My Mum died when I was 4 and I wonder if that is a reason why gambling has always seemed so appealing to me. Certainly bad events can trigger off the desire to gamble. I gambled tonight - so stupid of me. Thought I could control my spending but I can't because I am a compulsive gambler and gamble to lose. And here's me handing out advice! What a hypocrite I am!

Gamcare is helping me get my head sorted and I am glad it is helping you too.

I'm not gambling and not drinking but only feel half alive. I can't stand the way I feel!!! I am told that I am intelligent but must try and get help for this horrible addiction. IN deep remorse for my deeds

i'm with you gemini, remorse, self-loathing, depression, unhappy, broke - a whole lot of crappy adjectives to describe the loss of one's money. we got sucked in and spat out by the bookies-casinos. So what can one do, just try to abstain its the way forward for me, i cant afford to lose any more. Keep posting it helps a little. Also read my thread on new members forum - can you feel as bad as i do to-day - probably - at least we understand the issues/problems unlike loved ones who have never gambled.

Thank you for offering me the lifeline of empathy. Will go and read your posts. My dark day was 8.8.14.

hi gemini, thanks for reading my thread, posting and offering good advice, i will post a more detailed thread tomorrow for your perusal, too tired too think straight now, need some sleep after yesterdays disaster, hope u can sleep.