thought

Absolutely brilliant thread. And you have summed up exactly why I have failed and relapsed perfectly. You have no idea just how much this thread has helped. Thankyou xxxxx

Compulsive Gambling is a learnt inadequate response to life

Well said day@atime.

Gambling is a reaction to life, albeit a self-destructive one.

...........

Another superb post!

.... like you say, if you go into a gambling environment because you maybe feeling "a lack of satisfaction in life, an absence of intimacy, of strong connections to other people, a lack of self confidence, compelling interests or loss of hope."... then you will come out feeling "a lack of satisfaction in life, an absence of intimacy, of strong connections to other people, a lack of self confidence, compelling interests or loss of hope." AND chances are "NO MONEY!" AND chances are a whole host of new problems created by by gambling ones money away.

This has been my life on and off for years.

Addiction is cruel.

The ONLY solution is NOT TO GAMBLE.

We keep working at recovery. Strength in numbers.

True S.A. But the act of not gambling on its own will for the majority never be enough. If we do not confront the problems that lead us to addiction then they will eventually lead us back to our solution of choice.

Yup... and my diary is a testament to that.

Long periods off gambling followed by gambling followed by long periods off gambling followed by gambling.

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

Before you can say no to addiction you need to find something you can say yes to. Contrary to what you believe, self esteem, acceptance, love & human interaction can all be found within everyday life.

Thank you so much day@atime for this post. I couldn't agree more that my gambling is as a result of my life and lifestyle. There are things I need to change but can't, which makes recovery all the more harder. I'm determined tho and am aware of my triggeR.

Very wise words and I thank you for your posts x

Stop fighting the old & start building the new

One of the primary differences between the gambler & non gambler is that the non gambler changes their behaviour to meet their goals while the gambler will change their goals to meet their behaviour

If i could gamble like a normal person.... then i would gamble all the time. Therein lies our paradox...
Is this you?

If you want what you have never had then surely you must do things you have never done

Why do i attend GA meetings? Simple, its difficult to solve a problem with the same mind that created it.

Real hope combined with real action has always pulled me through difficult times in addiction.

Real hope combined with doing nothing has never pulled me through anything, just left me stagnating & frustrated.