@thisisruiningmylife then you’ve never read any of my posts.
Firstly, GA is a non profit making organisation who’s sole purpose is to help people stop gambling. It’s done by sitting with others who have been through addiction, they share their story, talk about their feelings, and stay off a bet. Whatever you’ve done, there’s someone that you’ll be able to relate with. So what if I’m pushing it? It doesn’t cost you anything to go.
I sit in a meeting week in week out and see new members arrive feeling hopelessness and leave with hope. The only reason I push the meetings is they have worked for me and thousand others.
People that couldn’t go a day without a bet do a week, then two, and so on.
Unfortunately I’m on the extreme end of the gambling scale and I’ve done some truly terrible things to bet. I’ve lost my family and my kids. I’ve been in prison. That’s just the tip of the iceberg!
What I didn’t do was give up.
I know you think you can’t do anything about it but you’re not even trying. Okay, maybe willpower but your addiction is too strong for the likes of you and me to have willpower when it comes to gambling.
You say that you’re writing your story/diary for others and that’s to be congratulated, but wouldn’t it read so much better if you tried to help yourself? I have a problem but I tried. Not just I have a problem.
One of the best things I heard in a GA room was “I don’t care what you think, I care what you did.” I’m not interested in peoples opinions when it comes to stopping gambling, I want to know what they did to help themselves.
I tried to do it myself. It didn’t work. I tried counselling, for me it didn’t work. I saw a psychologist, for me it didn’t work. I go to a GA meeting and for me it works. I got knocked down and I got back up. And again, and again, and again, since I was a kid and I’m now 53. I try.
You can too if you just stop fighting yourself and the thoughts that tell you that you can’t do it. You can. You just have to try. And try. And try.
Chris.
@chris-uk Thank You Chris i hope i will beat this, its become like a self destruction tool at this point for me.
@thisisruiningmylife how have you been since this last message then mate?
These things do work, GA has turned my life around.
Block all gambling sites on your phone etc, it took me years to do this because I wasnt willing to give up gambling (which sounds similar to you). Thats how i put myself in more and more debt, until I finally blocked these sites and got myself to GA meetings.
YOU NEED TO WANT IT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT
Only you can change this, be proactive and stop doing the same things again and again.
There is a world out there for you to enjoy if you make the changes.
@rock123 hi went 39 days free, relapsed today but stopped now. Was drinking alot of alcohol recently and going out nearly ever night to do that. When I was gambling today It was quite manic but I quit before it got destructive. Day one again now let's see what happens.
@thisisruiningmylife 39 days was good though! I went 8 days then relapsed. Then went another 9 and relapsed again. Day 1 again today
@rock123 stay strong, don't let the thoughts creep up on you and take over. The more we play the worse it's gonna get. I had another flutter today and I'm sat here now getting urges again to nip down to the machines.
@thisisruiningmylife Stopping gambling is difficult @thisisruiningmylife If you can, try and replace gambling with an activity that is not gambling-related. What about a GA meeting? Or some wellbeing practices? ie walking, exercising (lot of free YouTube exercise videos), thinking of 3 things that you are grateful for etc? One day at a time. Take care and look after yourself. Nicola
Since I wrote my last post I been at it constantly last night I hit rock bottom once again and lost £1500 in the space of a few hours , being up at points pure greed..then stupid bets take over £50 on one number on roulette... Going mad again now throwing all my stuff away. Crazy how I can be so careful with money with my OCD but when it comes to gambling I'm totally wreckless.
@rock123 stay strong, don't let the thoughts creep up on you and take over. The more we play the worse it's gonna get. I had another flutter today and I'm sat here now getting urges again to nip down to the machines.
Strange how I don't take my own advice ,this is exactly what happened.
Just done another 500 quid after winning some couldn't stop wanted my whole 1500 back. £100 spins gone in minutes.
Had chest pains feel awful.
@chris-uk I am numb, very numb to everything. Have no motivation to do anything or even want to do anything. Now I don't even want to eat.
Dear Thisisruiningmylife,
I'm sorry to see you're having such a tough time right now, I can hear how much your gambling is affecting you. I wanted to remind we are always here if you want to talk or need a bit of extra support. Our helpline number is 0808 8020 133, and there's our live chat, Facebook and Whatsapp too, all 24/7. Our advisers are friendly and non-judgemental if you need an ear.
I'm concerned about the chest pain that you've mentioned. If you haven't already, I'd encourage you speak to a medical professional. Your health and wellbeing are so important.
Wishing you all the best,
Jamie
Forum Admin
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