When I first stopped gambling for a few weeks I did feel this sense of euphoria that I had stopped but then something else kicked in.
Not a sense of depression but realisations and I hope what I'm about to post is helpful:
Manegability: Are you/I setting realistic goals? e.g. "I'm never going to bet again in my life".
Goals: What do you hope to achieve by stopping gambling?
Honesty: Do you think it would help your recovery to tell nearest and dearest? Obviously a personal decision.
All of the above is what I still think about but have incorporated into my definition of recovery.
Best wishes, Phil.
Hi Phil
As someone who lives with the torment of continued relapses, your thoughts really ring true with me. With manageability, what drives me are short-term goals. I wish I could say: I'm never going to bet again in my life, experience tells me that, despite being an excellent aspiration, its going to be very, very, difficult to achieve. So realistic goals are a must.
And again, those goals have got to be associated with a reward. As you say, what's the acheivement, be it tangible or otherwise.
And the third one. Have I been honest with the extent of my recent gambling with my loved ones? No. Would it help to tell them right now? No, it would be incendary. A delicate one, as you infer when you say it's "... obviously a personal decision."
Helpful words Phil, thank you.
Thank you so much for your feedback Mixer.
Thanks for your post on.my diary Phil , really impressed with your progress , showing it can be done .
Take care , best wishes ...... stephen
Great Advice as always Phil.
I ask myself similar questions frequently which helps with manageability.
Conradnose
Wise words Phil, being realistic is deforestation key for me, just make it through the day GF then do it again tomorrow 🙂
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