I think at times that the new members section is the best one to read if you are trying to recover from a gambling addiction.
It's a bit of a double-edged sword. I often read it and some of the life stories from new members and realise where I don't want to be in 2/5/10 years time. Infact, I would cite this section as one of the most important factors in my (so far) successful 32 and a half days in recovery. Simply because people who have gambled compulsively are constantly sharing their bad experiences. I guess I've come to rely on them to help see me through.
The last thing i want is for anyone to succumb to this terrible disease that has taken over me for the last 8 years, but personally, I feel like I need these people to keep coming as constant reminders of the psyche and mindset that that I don't want to slip into, because, similarly to many of you, I was one of these people. To an extent, I still am.
Does anyone else feel this way? Is it horrible and selfish to use other people's current bad experiences to further your own recovery? Is it wrong to have the desire for them to keep coming just to keep you on the straight and narrow?
I don't know if this makes me a bad person or not. I'd love to hear what the rest of you think.
32.5 days clean.
Chris
SM you are spot on with your analysis. This is how recovery works. New people in recovery are the most important people you can be around. Firstly you can give them pointers etc without telling them. Secondly they remind you what life was like or would be like if you want to gamble. I welcome every new member with a warm heart and hope they get it first time. I read some stories on here and wished I could wave a magic wand to make everything Ok problem is I can't.
Surely this would mean that there will always be compulsive gamblers with addictions they can't control?
Of course I know there always will be, but I guess this kind of suggests that there is NO solution to the wider problem.
I just hate the vicious circle that system creates. I guess I just want to be helped in a different way... rather than looking for people to be in a worse way than me to make myself feel better.
Totally understand this post, though i try to help where i can, i have a "rather you than me" thought occasionally.
I am clean exactly the same amount of time as you also.
Keep up the good work.
fatuesque,
Exactly, 'rather you than me' is the perfect way to describe it...
Good, we're both doing very well. Let's keep it up, dammit. 🙂
Chris
I agree with all you have written except for one bit. Although the new members saddens me it is when
Reading the recovery section I am always so taken a back.about people relapsing , sometimes I am close to tears as I so wanted that person to succeed. But on the down side it is a constant reminder that we will never be cured.
I am so amazed at people's courage at admitting they have relapsed and their determination to try again.
I also find it very hard to post a response sometimes as all I want to do is give that person a cuddle.
Kaza
Everyone likes cuddles.
Virtual cuddle being sent as I post xxxxxxxxxx
I like reading the New Members Section also. There are thousands of CG's out there right now unwilling to admit their problem and seek help and it would be wonderful if they all came on here to share their stories but that's wishful thinking. Unfortunately the gambling industry and their addiction keeps them playing.
It's difficult to watch people relapsing but we've all been there. The ones I find hardest to understand though are when someone posts on here vowing never to gamble again and relapse within the first few days, sometimes the very same day! The New Members section keeps us on our toes but the most important section for me is the Recovery Diaries. It's all about recovery and becoming a better person for me.
The f&f section is an important one too as it shows us the other side and the effects we have on our loved ones. No right-minded person would put someone they love through those things
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