Trying to restart my life

Ho Connor and well done for making this decision to stop gambling. I can categorically say that by doing this, will only enhance your life physically, emotionally and financially.

Put all the blocks in place you can - Gamstop for the maximum period, Gamban and Moses. Put gambling blocks on your bank accounts. 

The advisors on here are also great and will support you and give you some guidance also 👌.

I wish you strength on your g.f journey.

Pink Lady 🩷🍎.

Hi Conner

Thank you so much for sharing your story on here and opening up. So much resonates with me especially the COVID situation and fighting to keep my company going and reducing gambling for a short while only for it to accelerate. It's been a pleasure to talk to you on the chatrooms which I am really missing this week as im going to different GA meetings this week. Hopefully we can chat again on Saturday in the chatroom as I would love to hear how you are getting on. This is a brave move by yourself and admitting to yourself about the problem. It's your journey, there is good advice on the way but always remember you follow your own path in recovery rather than someone else's. I hear the strength in your words and determination. 

Have a good week my friend

Stuart 

Welcome aboard Connor recovery starts from within this the most important step ask yourself who are u doing it for? if the answer is for yourself rather then showing face or for your family even though technically it the right thing to say however this addiction works differently u have to A want to Stop and B want to remain stopped this took me me around 12 plus years since i first started recovery i learnt u have to want to stop their no ifs or buts any little doubt u have is the causes to a relapse which is why the success rate is so low once a person gets to that kind of stage nothing on this earth can tempt them to place the next bet otherwise u can go to every Ga meeting put every block in place and do everyrhing according to plan but if your hearts not set relapse will happen when i came on i was honest in terms of my relapse said it how it was and i believe its one of the reasons i have remained bet free i hope this helps👍  

Absolutely Taz. If someone doesn't want it for themselves and is trying to please like we did through our gambling careers then all we are doing is putting plasters over the cracks. We all know they dry up and fall off. Trust me Taz, I've been where you are mate being pushed into giving up 36 years for, 25 years ago and many small attempts

Thank you all for your messages and yes I won't to quit for my self a d I'm going to be open and honest I told my boss today was scared but told him he dident really say much at first just said it was a stupid thing to get into then before I left he told me he don't know much about gambling addiction but I was young person who's hard working don't waste your time with gambling I'm going to work the weekends for a few weeks to keep my self busy today's 5 days since my last gamble I feel strong at the minute and have no intention to gamble again 

Hi Conner

That was really brave and pat yourself on the back. That took courage and shows you have determination. Maybe you realise that you have set a marker down. You are accountable to your boss as he knows. You have to do this for yourself like you have said but now you can think to yourself how would I feel if I gamble again and the people I have told find out ? How can I look them in the eye and call my date out as they will ask

The fact that he said he doesn't know much about the addiction is hopefully a sign that he will find out about it. If he is a good boss he will and will be able to support you at some point

Keep strong buddy one day at a time 

Stuart

Hi Conner

Have you tried to go to your local GA meeting at all ?

Stuart

Hi Conner I am in a similar situation to you. On day 3 of no gambling and I'm feeling anxiety removed link I have told my mum (I'm 40) that I'll be giving my phone to her to help me maintain (she thinks I haven't gambled since November, I wish that was true). The blocks don't work for me, I get around them, this is the first time I have actively put an absolute barrier in place so that I can't physically gamble (no banking details on the phone or devices I am keeping at home). Let us know how you're getting on, I will do the same. I've also been seeing a Beacon Counsellor who knows I've continued to gamble (most nights if I'm honest).

Thank you all 

No stuart I have not tried a GA meeting but will look into it 

Hi misty willow I'm now a week free from gambling this is normally the amount of time between each gambling session I have but I have asked for extra work over the weekend to keep me busy so hopefully I can get to Monday and not gamble I have tried many times to stop but this time I really won't to stop and going to do all in my power I rang gamstop betting shop today and added all shops I could and explained the shops that have let me in and hopefully that is a extra barrier if I ever go of track but I have made a plan for my money now I text my parents and sister telling them I have come to my scenses and I'm sorry for what I have caused them but no reply as yet from any one so going to try again in a couple days also been doing a lot of research on things to do to help me stay away from gambling so get threw this weekend then start trying different hobbies 

And thank you to every one else how replied to me and I will keep you updated much as I can 

Hi Conner

Good to see you on the chat last night and checking in. I know tomorrow is tough and well done by putting that support mechanism in that you are working. I think you also told your boss

Stay strong mate. Take each day at a time and all you have to do is wake up and promise yourself you won't gamble today. Just today you won't gamble

Let me know how you get on with your Saturday as I would love to know how it's been, highs and lows

We can do this mate 

Just keeping this updated been busy with work and things last couple days still have not gambled so into double figures now starting to feel real now sent my parents and sister a couple messages now but no reply still but will keep trying went to cinema and watched a movie with couple of mates dident really like the film scream 7 but it was good to go out do things like normal people hoping I can get to Friday this week then that will be 2 weeks of no gambling small steps but getting there 

Just keeping this updated been busy with work and things last couple days still have not gambled so into double figures now starting to feel real now sent my parents and sister a couple messages now but no reply still but will keep trying went to cinema and watched a movie with couple of mates dident really like the film scream 7 but it was good to go out do things like normal people hoping I can get to Friday this week then that will be 2 weeks of no gambling small steps but getting there 

Hi Conner

You are doing amazing mate and those days are soon adding up. Just keep an eye on shutting the back door on the addiction as it can bite back but I know you are strong. It's also good to get back into normal life. First month I really withdrew and struggled just to go in to Tesco carry the guilt and shame of being in action. You should treat yourself on Friday to something to mark the milestone mate. Doesn't have to be big but it's good to reward the effort.

Stay strong my friend, one day at a time.

Stuart