Hi everyone,
This week’s topic is “hope”.
We often talk about the experience of “hope” being incredibly important in recovery journeys. For example, hope that things will get better, hope things will change, or hope that we will be understood. This hope can often be discussed as motivation for change, or something that can keep us committed to recovery.
So, how can we nurture hope?
Reading other people’s stories on here or in our chatrooms may be a start. Or, reaching out to our helpline on 0808 8020 133 or live chat (open 24/7) to explore options that can help.
Let’s hear from you….
How has “hope” been a part of your journey so far?
What would you say to someone at the start of their journey to help them find “hope”?
*Feel that you would like to inspire hope in others experiencing gambling harms? We are looking for volunteer GamCare Online Peer Supporters, for more information see: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/about-us/join-us-as-a-peer-supporter/
All the best,
Lulu
Online Peer Support Team
Evening
'Hope'
As a mother, hope played and still plays a big part in supporting my son through his gambling harm and his recovery.
Back in time 9 years ago I HOPED
- I could Take his pain away
- He knew how much I loved him despite my obvious pain, anger and hurt.
- He would surrender to gambling harm
- He loved himself more
- He could see a future
- He would stop the lies and deceit
- Our relationship would repair one day
Now I hope that in recovery the last 17 months
- He carries on his hard work and commitment to be free of harm.
- He has a fulfilled and happy life.
- Wakes up each day with a clear mind and know there are no lies each day.
- He knows that I love him even more.
- Hope he is proud of his mother for now helping others to get through their pain as I supported him.
Hope is part of all of our journey in respect of gambling harm, I feel. To imagine a world without harm from gambling would be ideal.
Have a hopeful evening x
Patsy
Online Peer volunteer
Hope for me has alway played a part in my life. When I was gambling I hoped I would win. I never did. Then I hoped no one would find out about my losses. Then I hoped I would survive til payday. Hope was my daily life. But this wasn’t really hope. This was a desperate ploy by my brain. Hope has a positive outcome. Nothing about this hope could ever have a good outcome.
Im 54 days gamble free now and I only hope for one thing. That’s to stay gamble free. This to me is true hope. A hope that actually has a good outcome, a hope that gets me the life all my pretend hope previously wanted but could not deliver. A hope that is achievable.
To anyone staring on this journey please realise that hope has to deliver you to a better place. Hoping during gambling will not do this. If you do win, you will ultimately lose more. If you do keep secrets, you will get found out. This is false gambling hope. Time to focus on real hope and that’s by imaging yourself gamble free. I hope if you realise this then your hope for the future can be the same as mine. I hope this helps!
Lots of hopes in that last sentence 😂
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
