Lockdown & urges to gamble online.

Hi Breaking Free

I am in a similar situation to you and its far from pleasant but Im always focused that gambling is not the answer.

With a healthy mind you should just realise that gambling = Pain and move on to other thoughts

I feel agitated at the moment and anxious. I have also felt some mild anger because I want things back to normal like we all do. This has made me realise that I function well just knowing things outside my door are relatively normal.

Im not functioning well at the moment. I cant seem to get anything done and the flat is a tip. This lockdown has hit me hard because I like things open and I like to feel free. Ive had weeks off but I keep putting off DIY jobs and Im sleeping during the day.

However Ive not turned to smoking drinking or gambling as escape drugs because thats what they are

I could lose my job and my job will never be the same again but running to gambling is not the answer to your fears or mine. It just makes things worse because you are not escaping from anything by throwing your money away for a drug fix

The reality is that life is full of excitement but we lost our way looking for an easy drug fix called gambling. Im a complex character but I look again at who I am when facing up to this lockdown

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hi BreakingFree,

You have done so well so far. We are in challenging times but it is only a temporary situation.  Keep pushing forward. You are are making a great effort to keep busy. You could also try our online group chat rooms www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/group-chatroom/  an excellent way  to fill time and engage with others, who often share their ideas and strategies for keeping away from the harm caused by problem gambling. We are also available on the helpline and netline 24/7 .

Best Wishes

Forum Admin

Phone up and tell them to extend the period to 5 years! 

Hi Breakingfree,

I get how you must be feeling, I normally have two or three GA meetings a week and despite having over two years clean, this lockdown isn't doing me any favours at all. I too have Gamstop as a block and I'm grateful for it.

What has helped me is

1. To accept that the block is in place so I don't try to get around it.

2. I've reached out and spoken to my fellow GA members, on the phone or having a mini meeting on Zoom.

and 3. I just get through the urge. In GA we say one day at a time. Well sometimes that might be one hour at a time, but that urge will pass.

Thankfully it isn't easy to cancel your self exclusion(that's the whole point of it really isn't it) so even if you start it by the time you can actually gamble the feeling would have passed.

Perhaps join in the chat on here and just speak about how you feel. Just sharing with another takes away the power of the urge.

All the best,

Chris.

Hi Breakingfree, 

I'm 690 days gf and I know where you are coming from, if I didnt have gamstop in place I don't  think I would have had the strength not to cave! 

We all have to stay strong, this demon is always going to be there but keep thinking positive and take one day at a time. I hate the fact that I'm no way near over this addiction I dont think I ever will be and it makes me angry but i have to keep fighting.

We can do this! Stay strong!

Donna