The right time

Hey Stephen

My advice from my own experience is... so your brain isn't triggered heavily for the normal routine it expects/habit/screaming at you to much/gambling thoughts going around and around/thinking of the excitement of it all looking forward to your next gambling rush, or not being able to think of anything else you'd prefer to be doing other than gambling when you are are now able with money.(with gambling blocks hopefully not viable)

- i have less self control/brain can be more foggy/not thinking clearly when i'm tired/overtired,

make sure/best you can that you sleep normal hrs leading up to payday... like go to bed at 10pm get up at 6am

go for the basic 8hrs or whatever sleep you personally need to function best you can, within your lifestyle.

try not to use high caffeine drinks, stop caffeine intake/coffee/tea/chocolate around 4pm latest.

try not to overstimulate yourself a certain amount of time before bed like turn computer off an hr before.

may chillout with a book...light music... whatever takes your fancy, chilled smells like lavender help... smelly candles/jostics.. a nice bath...set your mood before bed

- high sugar affects my moods/when i eat, cut out high sugar food,  try to eat well fruit veg meat/pasta... basic food you know is good, keep your fluids up.

- Try to stay away from Alcohol/recreational drugs.

All so your body is less stressed/brain is functioning more rationally/better.

- try to remove boredom, Organise/plan some things to do...... like visit a friends garden or invite mates around or see family.

or even a walk exercise/cycle plan a route maybe a park/wood public walks near you.... 

take some water and a snack off you go,,,

plan a film you'd like to see evening, whatever floats your boat so you are not bored, even buy a puzzle 2000 piece get some cool music playing and chill down... iron clothes/wash clothes clean your space bathroom kitchen etc /organised space organised mind so your next week is easier less stressed.....

Just a few ideas to-

Optimise your thinking/help with self control

destress your body/mind

Help alleviate boredom

Plan ahead so you have positive things to look forward to that takes your mind away from.. the normal.

 Take it steady brother all the best

Hi Natural

Hope you are well today 

Thanks so much for your reply and help I really hope some day in the future I can log on here and give advice and be an inspiration to others as you have to not just me I’m sure many others. It really keeps me going knowing that there is a way out of it and not every day is going to be as hard as yesterday and today and tomorrow for me. It’s all about keeping the mind active I used to try and do that but seen my self gambling in the morning and then in the evening checking if the results had gone my way not even following the stuff I had bet on and that’s when it became dangerous. A routine is so key I’m going to get the routine going where I’m doing plenty of exercise, eating good food, listening to podcasts music etc do everything I can to keep my mind off it. The only time I will be thinking of gambling will be my hour or 2 hours on here a day where it is my escape and my way to be inspired by others. Thanks so much for all your tips. I made myself a gf journal yesterday and will continue to write notes in it every single day and your tips here will be ones I will be making notes off. 

@stephenm22

Hey Stephen

nice one man, 

i'll just add something else not relating prob to now but...

you may.....once you do have extra readily available money, feel the pressure of actually having money... kinda like an extra responsibly /pressure...

A couple of ways of holding this money relatively safely not in money form:-

- buy bullion/Gold/Platinum/Silver  as a saving scheme. (you may gain a little/lose a little but the bulk is safe

and kinda like you've spent it, takes pressure off)

- Premium Bonds (very safe, but again feels like you've spent it)

thankyou for your kind comments man, have a cool wknd.

Oh definitely will keep that in mind. Taking one step at the time when it comes to money when I have that extra bit of money I know the pressure will go. Will be sure to check out some of the tips you shared 

have a good one too pal 

And 1 more thing Natural I seen your thread on relearning the value on Money it’s definitely going to be something that I will keep and eye on and read over when I get I can 

Hi StephenM22 and Welcome.

The "right time" is when you pick up the phone to your father or someone you trust and tell them everything

Its a born again moment when you just know that if you gamble again or feel tempted you would immediately tell someone that you dont want to let down.

Thats the main difference with me now. Im crystal clear its my enemy and even if I thought about doing it again I would be on the phone to someone requesting further help

Its knowing that you can never be complacent again because the power of the mind to crave chemical feelings is so powerful.

Its knowing that the fight is really on to make the addiction cower mad NOTHING is awkward compared with an addiction which isolates bankrupts and kills people.

Its building up foundations of openness and honesty then adding layers of blocks and support. Secrets are no good for you and you can not do this alone 

Its a drug addiction more than anything just like a smoker wants the next pack of cigarettes or an alcoholic at the booze store at 7am. When you start treating it that way it will make more sense

You have some cold turkey to do and you can never be complacent again. When you accept that it becomes a whole lot easier to enter a proper recovery knowing the reward is freedom and a much better life

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hi Joy. 

thanks for your reply I feel the hardest part is admitting it and so far for me that has certainly been the case I’m fully expecting hard days to come, I have no completed my first week gamble free and I’m so happy with myself and have felt so easy on this site talking to everyone. Your words are very kind and definitely something I will write down in my dairy for when I have a rough day. I can’t wait and see how far I will do iv never felt as determined in my life and looking forward to the happy days ahead while also wary of the inevitable bad days 

Hi Stephen just wanted to check

in and see how you are getting on xx