Hi,
Gambling is a drug. Will we ever be cured ?. Will an alcoholic ever stop wanting a drink ? Will a drug addict ever stop needing a fix ?. Like all addictions gambling addiction needs regular maintenance. Understanding trigger points, accepting the seriousness of addiction & it's grip on our lives. I remember wanting to gamble above every other desire in my life. What's different ?. Staying away from my previous life replaces that desire, the need to maintain fighting ( not curing ) that addiction is everything now.
I think complacency is the biggest enemy, telling us we're ok & we won't go backwards. Getting to grips with any addiction is hard. The most important thing is realizing that the addiction is much more powerful than we are. It's there, it's for real & it's hovering in the background waiting for us to falter. When I first came here someone told me you can't have enough blocks in place & no matter how painful cold turkey is it's the only way. Eventually through abstinence life becomes so much better, but we must never under estimate the power of addiction.
A regular poster told me recently if ever you're tempted to go back to that life think of your worst ever gambling days not just in financial terms but what followed. The lies & deceit, the sleepless nights, the pushing away of loved ones, the secrecy, & the prospect of getting on a roller coaster ride that goes so fast you become scared & yet too scared to jump off.
Best
AL
YES!!!! Yes to all the above!
I am over 3 years GF and it's still always in the background waiting to pounce.
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