Downward relapse

Hi ashw4288,

Thanks for your post, and I hope you're finding the forum to be a useful place for you. Urges can take a long time to deal with, and everyone eventually has to find their own way of managing them effectively. Some people get more into hobbies they used to engage in; other people find that exercise helps and join gyms or get more into sports they like, and some people find that talking to supportive people in their lives helps manage that urge. The important thing to remember is that it will get easier over time, but initially things might be very difficult, and sometimes you just have to ride out that urge; what's sometimes called "urge surfing". It might take some time, but if you can distract yourself then eventually the urge dissapates. Remember also that just because you have an urge to do something doesn't mean you have to act on it, you can have control over your actions.

Any type of counselling could really help you, and speaking to a professional like that is generally one of the things that helps gamblers the most. That could help you explore ways to manage those urges, and choose healthier behaviours over time, which could benefit your life in lots of areas. It also might help you address any underlying reasons for your gambling, so you could gain more insight and hopefully have a more lasting recovery. I've seen from your other post that you're only 23, so you've got a lot of life ahead of you that can be productive and enjoyable. Accepting that gambling is one little thing in the world that won't work out so well in that life might be worth working on.

If you'd like to speak to any of us about all this, feel free to call us on either the Helpline or Netline on the numbers at the top of the page. We could point you in the direction of individual counselling if you'd like, and we have partner agencies in many parts of the country that provide that at no cost.

Hope this helps, all the best.

Travis

Thanks for your advice. I will take a look into this.

hi ashw.

Great advice from gamcare above so please ring them as many times as you like.

Have you tried to build a family support network because it really is about blocks and monitoring as you build a healthy mindset again. Do you live with someone because Im sure they wouldnt think another £30 of your income wont hurt. Are you ready because your gadgets will need to be controlled and monitored

Thats how it got us everytime. Oh just a little bet but it was never a little bet with me as I couldnt stop. I emptied my wallet and then the servicetill. I didnt have that money to throw away and I dont actually like wasting money. I realise how addicted and ill I was when gambling

Secrecy is no good for you. Write down what you have lost and there is no way you can rationalise your behaviour. Its addicted behaviour which will ruin you if you continue.

As gamcare say you ride the urges and realise they are natural thoughts for a gambler in recovery. You get stronger, you see things more clearly and the urges die away. Eventually you become more calm and the thoughts are instantly dismissed as why would you even do it anyway.

Keep talking about it and working it through. If you are bypassing blocks you need to tell people close. We are only as sick as our secrets as the saying goes.

Being gamble free is a wonderful feeling of freedom and self respect

Best wishes from everyone on the forum