waiting

Yes, quitting gambling is not a quick fix or magic. If that is what you are looking for you will never be cured. It needs to come from within. You need to put the blocks in place. Without that you have no hope. 

Gambling will only cause more harm. How can something that creates a problem also be the solution to our problem? We need to take our head out of the sand and realize we are only causing more misery by gambling

Hello cantstop2000,

I'm normally a Gamblers Anonymous attender but as the meetings are currently shut I thought I would see if I could offer some hope here.

From my experience, just moaning about my gambling didn't help, but talking to others and admitting my addiction to others who understood and weren't judgement helped.

I also had to put a lot of blocks in place initially and there has never been a better time to do that than now. A lot of banks have gambling bans available on their accounts, there is GameStop which is free as well as other gambling software, there are other mass exclusion systems, such as MOSES for banning yourself from physical bookmakers.

There are also two steps to stopping gambling. The first is abstinence, so staying off gambling for a period of time. This does three things. It shows you that you can do it, it gives you a chance to get some money back in your bank and three, it gives you a chance to clear your mind from the mess that gambling causes. For me the money was secondary, it was how I felt and how muddled my mind was that was the problem.

The second part of recovery is just that. Staying off gambling but also changing yourself through a variety of ways to help you stay off and prevent the relapse from causing the first bet. I find this through a 12 step process which is about looking at yourself and your defects of character and any lingering memories which might send you back to gambling. I'm a massive believer in G.A so my advice would be to find a GA meeting when this lockdown is over and put some effort into attending meetings. You could also pick up the phone and talk to one of the Gamecare helpline staff who can listen to you and how you are feeling. You could also write your story on here and share it and revisit it when you feel an urge.

Whether you think you can or cannot stop gambling, you're right. Now is the time to put as many blocks in place and then look at other options afterwards.

If you need any guidance on how to do anything please just ask.

chris.

I think the clue is in the name you are using CS. Its more than being resigned to your fate.

You must have seen the tried and trusted advice here to get help.

Its not secrets...its the cold turkey of recovery which you do not seem ready for. Its more comfortable for you to wallow in the gambling lifestyle which must be deeply harming you.

What have you tried doing? Have I told you it takes far more than your own willpower. have you told anybody close? You are so cynical about it because you are heavily addicted and dont want to stop. You are deeply confused which I understand because the addiction has twisted and altered your mind

I think most people come here because they can take no more and want to stop.

Somebody has got to get tougher with you..Its your money and your life...Nobody can force you to stop if you are not ready

I used to see addicts like you every day saying thats life mate and thats just the way it is...no intention of changing and gradually destroying themselves...I wonder what would ever wake them up as they seem to have nine lives and no real worries about bailout money. They were mentally ill and they thought they were near normal....That simple!

I would stop you but I get the sense that you fight me every step of the way. You are so confused that you just want the tips to stop losing as if there are any

You cant just come on and say oh its all too hard...your life your decision!

You have to reach out,ask for help and act on it or the addiction wont let you go.

Best wishes