Struggling to not think about gambling

 Hi Tommygun39

You are not alone in the way gambling can occupy daily lives for people.

There is plenty of support available to you and you have made a really positive step today by posting. Well done for adding Gamstop and Gamban , you can self exclude from bookmakers in your area by calling MOSES on 0800 294 2060.

Please feel free to contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.

All the best in your recovery

Kirk 

Forum Admin 

@absentee I've got many things that occupies my days,I've had a really rough couple of weeks with my mother being in hospital it's been very stressful and thinking of gambling calms me in a weird way like a realase ,I know I have a problem and i am taking steps to fight this addiction 

@tommygun39

Gambling changes the brains chemistry and way of thinking. Dopamine is a drug and gambling fuels it, it changes the joy in life making past or old activities not receive the same amount of 'feel good' reward.

It is a horrible disorder and probably the easiest to get into but the hardest to overcome.

@mobilephone I understand what your saying it is horrible because some days it's all I'm thinking about even when I'm busy working or other things 

Tommy, I feel for you as it seems like you are in the grip of addiction with no easy way to face the future ahead without caving in to your gambling urges. And even with all the pressures and heartache around you there is still a way to stay strong willed and hold firm. It's always the easy route to gamble or drink alcohol as the desire seems overwhelming, but we must keep on reminding ourselves that to do so will only lead to further pain and distress. Tommy, you can beat this addiction. Keep on reaching out for support, you are not alone. 

@forum-admin  I'm the same same anger and stress cause it

Hi

I was the same way myself.

I felt very inadequate insecure and inept and felt that Gambling caused me to run and hide in my fears.

The recovery program will help you help your self become healthier and to make healthier choices in my life.

If you stop gambling you are with drawing which is the hard part.

The highs of the gambling were very much adrenaline based, the bigger the risk the bigger the buzz.

The recovery program is a place where people learn how to heal the pains that was buried in me.

Often people have been through same experiences I have been through.

Because I was emotionally vulnerable I got in to the unhealthy habit of beating myself up and calling myself names.

That is counter productive the recovery program is about not hurting our self any more.

The addiction for me was very much self abuse.

Me being an addict was not me being selfish but me being self destructive which is very unhealthy.

Being in recovery I would be more aware of my emotional triggers, pains I could not heal, fears I could not face, my frustrations, my loneliness, and my boredom.

If you find a healthy recovery meeting they will help you help your self.

Being in the recovery program you understand that every thing you have been through other people have recovered from.

Being in the recovery program you will be able to make much healthier choices and understand that you are no longer alone.

Being in the recovery program your fears will reduce, your trust will grow and you be able to articulate your feelings and emotions in a healthy way.

Being an addict is a very lonely fear filled existence and recovery will help you heal.

Love and peace to every one

Dave L

AKA Dave Of Beckenham UK

I’m currently on day 59 and I’m finding my old urges coming back, but just think what does gambling actually bring you? Except misery, stress, depression, anxiety, and self loathing? Think back to a time you felt so low from gambling you didn’t know if you would pull through. Do you want to feel like that again? Or do you want to be proud that today was another day you didn’t gamble? It’s so hard to keep strong, but I promise you my mental health has already improved ten fold just from stopping for 58 days. You deserve to be happy and not live a life of misery, you owe it to yourself to find happiness again  🙂 

My worth fears came true on Monday my lovely nan passed away gonna be a uphill struggle from here 

Hi @tommygun39.

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your Nan and the pain you are experiencing currently.

Grief is tricky to navigate, and if you feel you need some support with this, Cruse can help -

www.cruse.org.uk.

Please continue posting and sharing on the forum, and if you need any further support, please do contact one of our advisers on the Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline.

We're here for you and you're not alone.

Take care,

Phoebe

Forum Admin

Well 4 days gamble free now ,someone at work mentioned they had a big win on the slots and it didn't really fazz me I spose thats a good thing