There's always something to be grateful for

Hi

You make a very important point conradnose and its one that has to be dealt with.

There will always be worse days and even gamble free there will be days that dont go smoothly. Gambling is never the answer though and we have to lay any feelings to rest that gambling will buy happiness or pay for things which need repairing.

About 9 months ago I lost my gold ring. It wasnt very expensive but I dont like losing things. In that moment I was in the next town on my way back from a training course. I paused and was getting upset at the loss. I thought right I will go and gamble to win the money back. Something just held me back to do with train times and not being able to get home if I did go and gamble.

Then the reasonable thoughts returned that every time I thought gambling would let we win or bail me out, I ended up losing money.

So I stepped up my defences and blocks. I worked on the fact that there can be rougher days. Being gamble free is a wonderful feeling but its not a utopia where all other aspects of life are perfect.

It made me discuss possible trigger points. I now extend exclusion blocks to all areas I travel through regularly. If Im in an area on holiday say visiting family in Aberdeen...we deal with it so the cash location money triangle is broken and monitored. Self exclusion blocks will be set up because Ive gambled to extinction there before.

I mention straight away in pubs that Im not to be seen on the machines...I know they dont run a nanny service but it seems enough to let me have a quiet pint or two. I am wary of alcohol and gambling and I dont aim to get drunk if machines are anywhere near.

So yes we do have to appreciate the good things in life and realise that gambling is not a solution to any money worries or troubles which crop up from time to time.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hello Joydivider

Yeah, If we can take a moment before we follow through on a thought we realise it might not be the best idea and that's definitely the case for us problem gamblers. It's important we acknowledge our triggers and urges so we know how to combat them.

Well done for putting blocks in place it's important we help ourselves where we can with things like blocks, letting others handle our finances and having trusted people around you to share thoughts and feeling with.

Great posts Guys. Very nice to read. Best wishes, Phil.

That £400 to get my car repaired didn't resolve the problem I can't do anything but lol. I can't change the outcome by being angry, upset or anything else negative so why waste my energy.

conradnose