Starting Recovery (again)

Hi Masters. I am in the same boat and attempting it for the 2nd time. I managed 6 Months of controlled small stakes which I found enjoyable and caused no financial issues. Since I don't drink or smoke or really have any expenses on myself. I thought it was a good past time that I could control. Then the stakes get bigger and less enjoyable before the inevitable spiral of depression and financial ruin comes again..

The only way to control it is to quit.

Good luck on your journey to freedom. I will be checking in along the way with how things are going!

Andy.

Posted by: @mastersd123

Evening all, I'm back again.

I need to hack it this time for the sake of my kids. Hate feeling like this, not sleeping as gambling 24/7, its ruining my life (again). I know I can do it, just going to be hard going cold turkey again. Been here before.. hopefully no more. 

Sounds like you know the score with yourself at the moment and abstaining from gambling is the only way for a better life and freedom. It took me a while to get through this part of my recovery but the only way to do so is to just quit it and fill the void with things that improve your life and fill the time you would of spent gambling 

@dave101 thank you for the reply, I need to get myself on here every day. The first month always seems to be the hardest, then I seem to slowly start getting back on track. Going to be a month living with little money but I've been here before and know the score.

It's so hard, especially when you know it's wrong. I have too much to lose if I dont stop now. I need to do this. 

@mastersd123 good morning md123,

I know it must be hard in the early stages, I have been there before. Best thing to do if you can is focus on a exercise like walking or running, Some thing that doesn't cost money really to try and break the cycle of over thinking about what you have done recently. This has helped me in the past and gives my brain time to focus on other things later on other than exercise. 

Changing habbits is a small step towards recovery and it does take a while. 

You got this md123

"Just for today I will not gamble"

Dave101

Posted by: @mastersd123

Evening all, I'm back again.

I need to hack it this time for the sake of my kids. Hate feeling like this, not sleeping as gambling 24/7, its ruining my life (again). I know I can do it, just going to be hard going cold turkey again. Been here before.. hopefully no more. 

Well done on your post mate.

This forum is a great support for me as its good to know its not just me going through this.

Have you got a plan with what to substitute the gambling with?  Like Dave says, running/walking or something active can really help to get those feel good chemicals going!

@thebean yeah, I enjoy running. Need to get myself back out there. At the moment I'm just drained from all the late sleepless nights due to the addiction. Give it a week or so and when the energy is back I will get back into normality hopefully and get myself up n running. 

@mastersd123 Rest over the weekend if your sleep pattern is all over the place and go for a hour walk after work on Monday… just a thought. Gives you time over the weekend to sober up for a fresh new week

@dave101 yeah, will try and get some exercise done on Monday. Don't get chance to rest over the weekend as have 2 little ones. Need to get my act together for the sake of them really, they're all that keep me going at times.

Just completed my first day 🙂 off to bed now, will be up early tomorrow. Thanks for your replies, it means a lot. 

A bit about me, I have done nearly 500 days gamble free and because of that I have my own flat and my girlfriend is due are first little one next month. My recovery journey has been going on since nov 2016.

yes it can happen and slip ups do happen but focusing on the end goal and taking it seriously really helps to become gamble free. I know you are there for you’re 2 little ones but mentally maybe not due to gambling. Trust me, from my experience you will get back to you’re normal self or improved if you work at it. 

any questions or help I am just a tag away.

dave101

@dave101 aww, that's lovely news about the child on the way. I have my mortgage to think about too. If I was to fall behind that would effect everything. Enjoy your weekend and chat soon. 

Number 1:

GET BLOCKS IN PLACE

Gamstop for online

Moses for local bookies

And Sense for uk casinos

It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.

Number 2:

When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping.  Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively), 

I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.

I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.

Number 3:

Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:

The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!

 U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)

You can not take your cards out (more difficult)

You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.

There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)

Number 4:

With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish.  It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019….. 

MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….

@adam123 great post Adam and thank you. Will certainly look into all those points and make my way through them. Day 2 just completed. I'm making the effort to come on this forum everyday too now for tips/advice.

Certainly makes you realise your not alone. 

Thanks again