Hi all,
I am finally starting to admit I have a problem with gambling. I mostly do online slots.
I have attempted to work out what the problem is and have come up with the following:
I have had a lot of problems in life, which 3 years ago I decided to sort out once and for all. After a lot of help and hard work, I feel I have got to a great place where they are not really an issue any more.
However I ended up with a very empty, bored feeling - like life has become horribly sensible. I am doing lots of exciting things - like I have started a new job, am learning to drive, new types of exercise etc. On paper, my life is going very well. But these don't give me the sort of kick I feel I need, some sort of excitement that only a bit of danger or risk can give. This is how I started gambling.
I have tried quite a few of the ideas within this forum before and while they help, the urge to get a kick from something dangerous wins, however much I enjoy doing other things at home.
So my question is - does anyone know of anything that would give me the kick that I need but not make me feel horrific afterwards?
Maybe this is impossible as an activity that is not dangerous won't give that kick and one which is dangerous will end up making me feel awful!! I don't know if I am just kidding myself that such an activity exists!
I hope someone knows what I mean.
Hello there,
Welcome to the Forum,
You are right in thinking that you need to replace gambling with something else, but it doesn’t have to be a similar activity, otherwise it would be equally harmful. You talk about chasing a feeling of danger and perhaps what you like about gambling is that although it feels dangerous, you are ‘safe’ in the end. Or at least, it can take a while before you feel the harm.
The secret is not in satisfying the feeling of being in danger but in not needing to feel like this anymore. Perhaps you could be free from that when you understand why you need it in order for your life to have joy and excitement. I am sure you would agree that there are many things that could make you feel happy.
Also, recovering from gambling means that you have a strategy in place to follow and you are prepared to deal with the urges when they come along. We do provide face to face counselling that could help you develop a strategy and increase your awareness around your gambling behaviour. You may get in touch with us over the phone or through the Netline.
Kind regards,
Ana
Forum Admin
Thanks - I think I was answering my own question. I am surprised this does not come up more on this forum though.
I think it's just a symptom of other problems - as with most I'm trying to fill some sort of void and need to tackle the underlying problem.
Thanks
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