Hello gamcare peoples. It’s been a while. I’m here to check in at 2.5 years free of gambling and say “yes it can be done” as well as “it’s totally worth it”. I remember thinking “If I give up gambling then I will miss out on a fun activity”. As it turns out the absence of the (sometimes) fun activity really doesn’t matter that much. In contrast, the gain of having a life is a pretty serious consideration. Offered as a note of encouragement, anyway, for those who are at one or another decision point.
Also, here’s an interesting thing I noticed.
I started attending Krav Maga classes. This is a mix of a deadly serious self-defense/hand combat training, with high challenge fitness conditioning. After some months of this, one day at home I was thinking of fixing myself an after-work drink; and as I looked at my well-stocked liquor cabinet, I felt profound indifference to the alcohol, the possibility of getting buzzed, the whole experience. It wasn’t a revulsion, it wasn’t a conscious Personal Health campaign. It was just a feeling of “why bother with this stuff? It doesn’t matter (plus it’ll make me sleepy and I’ll miss out on evening activities)”. Eight weeks later, still not interested in the alcohol, I emptied the cabinet because all those bottles are just a bunch of useless stuff taking up space.
So here’s the thing: while alcohol and heavy drinking have never been an issue for me, I understand that for many people it is a focus of addictive behavior. So, I can imagine that for them the experience of total indifference (“a drink? Not really interested; why would I want one anyway?”) would be a real help in breaking out of their addiction prison. Which makes me wonder if it could work for other addictions. Like. You know. Gambling.
I don’t know, and this is just an anecdotal result, but it certainly made me raise the eyebrow for a second. Again - - this is not because of an alcohol addiction, or any desire to get rid of alcohol, or any kind of moral judgment "drinking is bad" or anything like that. It just sort of happened.
If you want to try the experiment, and don’t have Krav Maga locally, I daresay you could try any number of martial arts and self defense/fitness practices, MMA, Brazilian kickbox, whatever.
Hi dogfan,
Welcome back to the Forum. Thanks for your words of encouragement, and suggestions. Well done for working hard on your recovery. It sounds like you found some stratergies that worked for you, it is good that you are sharing this, it may be helpful for others too.
For Forum users, dogfan's journey is on the forum and you may be able to read and find out that if you do not give up on the struggles, you could succeed.
Dogfan is one of the testimonies that it can be done, so keep on the struggle, it can be done if you want it, but with your determination.
Regards
Forum Admin
Florence
Hi. Good on you.
I will get to where you are. I know exactly what you mean about the focus of the mind on healthy activities. I have been looking at the self defence, fitness training because I had just let my self go mentally and physically.
With solid blocks in place I am just starting to feel the serene qualities of a profound indifference to gambling. I dont really drink and have gone months without. I can see the positivity in being T Total and I certainly feel positive about being gamble free.
I do believe that it just sort of happens when you get focus back on the real quality of life. I dont really want to gamble and why would I want to anyway. There are so many better things to be doing.
Anyway yours is a very positive story and I know in my heart it can be done
All the very best
Good on you dogfan
I would say anything which gives you satisfaction and is in line with your values, is a massive gambling distancer.
The values engagaed in your krav maga might include discipline, being healthy and connecting with others -through training.
When you're getting real satisfaction who needs the sugar buzz of addiction!
Thanks for sharing
Louis
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