Trying to get rid of this disease

Hey Anderson-vibes , 

I am in the exact same situation myself I keep doing the same thing over and over again even though I know I shouldn't be doing it. Its got to the point same as you where I don't know if the damage is already done no matter how hard I try not to gamble as soon as I have any sort of money even it its for bills I just lose it all and then feel sick for days later and then borrow and rinse repeat ? 

Your no the only one ! 

Hi 

Each time I gambled only indicated that I was emotionally vulnerable.

Each time I gambled indicated that I was living in fear and was on an adrenaline rush.

The bigger the risk the bigger the buzz the bigger the over powering fears.

I kept going to meetings even when I went back to gambling.

I felt that each time I gambled I was a loser, not so it just indicated that I was still emotionaly vulnerable.

So, once we understand each of our emotional triggers and how we deal with them and how do we understand more about our self and our unhealthy reactions.

People helping me out giving me money just prolonged the pains I was causing myself and my family.

Only once I stop causing my self pain with unhealthy habits could I start to heal the hurt inner child  in me.

Regards Dave L

@anderson-vibes Are you prepared to do anything to help yourself stop gambling? I know a way if you’re interested.

Chris.

@NevrLearn you can do this 

@chris.UK I am listening 

@anderson-vibes 

Talk to someone close to you. Husband, wife, partner, parent. Anyone you trust that you can just talk to. Be honest.

Give over access to your money to someone who can say no to you. Not for ever, just for a while to give you a chance to clear your head. You can put a block on your bank for gambling transactions. Any money you are given should be for what you need. Give receipts to prove you aren’t gambling and that also means access to your accounts. Build up trust.

Ban yourself from the type of gambling you do. If it’s online sign up to Gamstop and also install gamblock on your phone, tablet and computer. If it’s a bookie’s or casino or arcade they have ways of banning yourself, online or in person.

I’m in favour of finding your nearest Gambler’s Anonymous meeting and attending at least once a week. More if you can. Not forever, just for 90 days to clear your head and get a feeling of normalcy again. After 90 days decide if it’s for you or not. If it’s for you keep going, if not then you can make an informed choice.

To be balanced, you can also call the gamcare advisors a call and talk about your problem. They’ll listen and understand and can offer some counselling courses.

Don’t try to change everything. Just small things can have a big impact. There’s a saying that if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. At the moment you aren’t changing anything but you expect a different outcome. It can’t happen. Change something means a different outcome. So don’t worry about never gambling again or for a year, just get through one day. If you can’t do a day try 4 hours. But by doing the other things, especially the honesty and GA, you can stop.

Why not start a diary on here and tell your story? You’ll be surprised to realise there are others like you. Use the strength from support to help yourself knowing that your story might help someone else. Come on here each day and share how you are getting on. Be accountable to yourself. 

Whatever you choose to do, do something.

Hope that helps.

Chris.

Thanks for the advice I will definitely take actions to change habits 

@anderson-vibes

I’ve been reading through your previous messages from a year or two ago where you said a lot of advice given to you was something you would do, but I guess you didn’t.

Can you say what you will do? I’d love to hear you make some changes and then see the benefits that come from those changes to your life.

You said you would do anything to help yourself so if that’s true start with your loved ones.

Don’t allow this illness to hurt you one more day!

Chris.

@chris-uk intend to hand over all my finances and let my partner control my money fully when money comes in and be honest with myself untill  in a mental state where I can control myself and slowly take back control 

@anderson-vibes Hello. It’s a week on and I wondered how you got on this last week. Gambled, not gambled, made any changes yet?

Chris.

Hello I done really well haven’t gambled and blocks are in place to prevent me from gambling 

@anderson-vibes That’s great to hear. I would try to encourage you to use this platform to check in on a regular basis to give yourself accountability. Every couple of  days or so, just put a little note on how you are doing, any worries coming up, how life is hopefully improving, that sort of thing. You’ll find it will help you and may help others.

Keep going.

Chris.