Struggling alone

Goal for this year is to become debt free abd stay gamble free 

I havent got any other goals yet but just getting though each day can be one in its self lately.

?

Feeling better this evening than i have last couple of days i was in a dark place. Home had a wash ..hair washed and going to focus on self care this evening..

I might start up a new diary for this year rather than the odd forum posts. So far 2021 no gambling and continuing to pay off the debts. Just need to work on mental health next which is the hardest issue..gambling was just another thing that caused it to decline.

Lou xx

Excellent plan Lou✅. 

A new recovery diary would be an exciting move forward.

I am sincerely hoping this will be a good year for you. You are a wonderful person and deserve to be contented and happy.

Stephen x 

Evening Loulou,

I am no expert, however, I do have a few suggestions:

1. Buy a copy of Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters for £6.99 from any good book store (Amazon, Ebay). The urge to gamble is your monkey self, not you. 

2. Sign up with all casinos and gambling sites and self exclude yourself for maximum amount of time.

3. Sign up with Gamstop and download Gamban on your mobile phone.

4. If possible, sign up with Fintech bank such as Monzo bank that bars all gambling transactions and create a pot that pays yourself £1 daily for not gambling. This is used as a visual motivation tool as well as keeps a track record of your gamble free days.

5. Albert Einstein once quoted: if you do something over and over,  you'll get the same result. 

6. Finding a replacement for your gambling such as short walks, visit libraries, bike riding, reading etc. Anything that is counter productive and stuff that interests you.

7. Gambling (Greed) is not on the life menu- even the Bible states "You shall not covet your neighbours goods," Eventhough you may not be religious,  however, it is an invaluable advice.

8. If you get the gambling urges- go and watch Utube clips on recovery gamblers such as Only Phil and the winning hand. Find out as much information as you can to beat this greedy monkey.

9. Forgiveness- learn to live with it. As time passes it will become easier and easier regardless of how much money lost in the process.

10. Try to separate yourself and your behaviour- as they're two entities. 

11. Remember, time is on your side- healing process can start.

12. If all fails, go to GA meeting and start 12 steps. Go and seek professional help.

I hope this helps. 

All the best.

Xoi

Ps A thousand miles begin with one step

Posted by: Aum

Excellent plan Lou✅. 

A new recovery diary would be an exciting move forward.

I am sincerely hoping this will be a good year for you. You are a wonderful person and deserve to be contented and happy.

 

Stephen x 

Thankyou 🙂 i'll make a new diary now 

Hi Lou glad you are feeling a little bit better you are a hard worker and I know how hard your work place is as my daughter has this week seen things that has a big affect on her so please don’t be so hard on your self  you are doing a fantastic job 

scotty??

Don't believe any year do any difference, only way you will get better is by own decision.

And always remember no matter how deep your problem is, it wouldn't happen to you, if you couldn't get out of it.

Posted by: Scottydogg

Hi Lou glad you are feeling a little bit better you are a hard worker and I know how hard your work place is as my daughter has this week seen things that has a big affect on her so please don’t be so hard on your self  you are doing a fantastic job 

scotty??

Thankyou Scotty im making a new diary which should be posted soon, work is heart breaking lately but i hope you and your wife are holding up okay miss you on chat x lou

Posted by: Soysauce147

Evening Loulou,

I am no expert, however, I do have a few suggestions:

1. Buy a copy of Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters for £6.99 from any good book store (Amazon, Ebay). The urge to gamble is your monkey self, not you. 

2. Sign up with all casinos and gambling sites and self exclude yourself for maximum amount of time.

3. Sign up with Gamstop and download Gamban on your mobile phone.

4. If possible, sign up with Fintech bank such as Monzo bank that bars all gambling transactions and create a pot that pays yourself £1 daily for not gambling. This is used as a visual motivation tool as well as keeps a track record of your gamble free days.

5. Albert Einstein once quoted: if you do something over and over,  you'll get the same result. 

6. Finding a replacement for your gambling such as short walks, visit libraries, bike riding, reading etc. Anything that is counter productive and stuff that interests you.

7. Gambling (Greed) is not on the life menu- even the Bible states "You shall not covet your neighbours goods," Eventhough you may not be religious,  however, it is an invaluable advice.

8. If you get the gambling urges- go and watch Utube clips on recovery gamblers such as Only Phil and the winning hand. Find out as much information as you can to beat this greedy monkey.

9. Forgiveness- learn to live with it. As time passes it will become easier and easier regardless of how much money lost in the process.

10. Try to separate yourself and your behaviour- as they're two entities. 

11. Remember, time is on your side- healing process can start.

12. If all fails, go to GA meeting and start 12 steps. Go and seek professional help.

I hope this helps. 

All the best.

Xoi

Ps A thousand miles begin with one step

Sorry i dont agree with number 2! Although the intention was thoughtful, its not a good idea to suggest people going onto gambling sites. If they get gamstop and gamban as you mentioned in number 3 there is no need for number 2 

Lou xx

Posted by: Sejan7

Don't believe any year do any difference, only way you will get better is by own decision.

And always remember no matter how deep your problem is, it wouldn't happen to you, if you couldn't get out of it.

Thanks for the post, but to me the year will make a difference my day counts give me goals to work towards this year, which are as you say my own decisions.

Lou x

My New recovery diary is up ill be posting updates on there now instead of using this post x

i feel your pain, im here if you ever want to talk lou!   my addiction is for sure out of c0ntrol. made worse i think that i live alone. dont really have any family. and lost whatever friends i did have. and living alone with too much time on my hands is a recipe for disaster, i just spend day and night gambling then falling in to depression because of it