Ruined my life

People beat this or they stay in recovery from it forever. That goes for most addictions. Try and see you life as different from this point not ruined just changed. You will learn lots of new things about yourself if you start looking at yourself a bit holistically.  See we are programed to get rich or die trying. That is on all media and we can not stop being programed by it unless you choose to turn the media of or change your routines in what you allow yourself to be subjected to by it. 

This recovery should be a journey where you discover yourself. Get therapy to deal with the non gambling life ahead of you. Understand that you can be triggered at any time for any reason and as most of us are not capable of micro dosing this addiction you will need to try and go longer and longer periods without falling of the waggon. If you get some therapy during your recovery you will get the tools to handle yourself in a better way. I recommend cbt.

It is not b/w. All addictions are as unique as the addict. Start by making a commitment to see it through what ever comes. When you do that you will make a plan and set a target. Follow it then make a new one and then a another one. There is never a ship without a captain. Just something that drifts around so it is your responsibility to start steering your boat.

I wish you well!

C

Hello and welcome.....

In answer to your question it is possible to have a positive outlook on life.... at the start i came here in 2016, i was spending a lot more than i eanrt on line poker and i was hopelessly addicted..... i seeked help and to be brutally honest it didnt work for the first few years on here as there was no such thing as gamstop..... however when gamstop came in i signed up for five years and immediately stopped online gambling.... then other gambling avenues became accessible so i indulged in casinos and bookies and pubs..... then one by one using moses and sense i exclued from them untill the only way i could gamble was in pubs (this is 2018, then i played poker in pubs and fruit machines#), then still loosing a lot of money i decided enough was enough...... so i stopped going to pubs.....stopped drinking and smoking......this was at another low point as i was signed off work for loosing soo much on the machines and having a mental breakdown.....

So in demeber 2016 i stopped smoking...... in december 2018 i stopped drinking...... in december 2019 i finally was able to give up gambling for good...... in order to succeed i ha to stop meeting up with certain gambling friends....i had to stop going into clubs and pubs..... i had to create a new life for myself....

But here i am happy and stress free..... i have for six years after mortgage, bills, food ettc transferred the rest to my dad or paid off mortgage......ive now after those six years paid off the whole of my mortgage and just owe my parents a small sum.....

Ive moved into my flat and am able to pay for everything..... food, gym, disney plus, xbox recently, i still dont smoke, i still dont do drugs, i still dont gamble, i still dont drink..... its been tough but now its relatively easy..... i ve still got a job after being made redundant four times and being sacked once due to mentall ill health.

Now on the 29th of august ill be 1000 days gamble free!!!!!

what im trying to show you is its not easy..... life isnt easy its tough....... but with a lot of effort the not gambling path is the answer to easing your pain.....your stress.....

I hope you read this and its the start of sometihng special....all the best adam123

@c43h 

thank you for you kind words. 
I know what you say and I am seeking help.

I appreciate that due to my debt situation it’s like to be about 7 years before I clear it so it’s a harsh lesson to learn.

I just got to take each day as it comes and rebuild my life brick by brick.

keeo well

adam

@adam123 

wow this is fantastic news fingers crossed I can use this successful turn around as my inspiration.

I am now back living with my parents who don’t know half my problem with my debt and gambling issues.

Do you think I should come clean.

thank you

adam 

i reckon make inroads into ur debt and save save save, then once a year down the line come clean to ur parents and show them how far you've already made in making inroads.