I've educated myself on everything there is to know about gambling and overcoming it, taught myself the triggers, how to put up barriers etc. Yet somehow, someway or another. Just when things are getting better and my life moving forward. I find myself posting after returning from the casino minus all my savings.
I'm not sure where I go from here. It's like a disease that keeps coming back. I've done 6 months, 3 months, 3 months...but eventually. I always fall again.
What am I missing? It's always about if you want it bad enough and if you are willing to fully commit. I thought I was already there.
Not sure where I go from here? Any advice from anyone who suffered these relapses on route to recovery will be greatly appreciated.
I've wiped my savings, but currently not in debt currently.
I know it can be done, I've seen it. Here, at GA and sometimes for short periods in me.
Thanks for reading.
Hi judderman
No easy answer to your question.
If you want to gamble you will. If I want to gamble I will. Nobody can stop me, only me. Same for you.
I remember how much I used to loathe myself when I gambled. I can't feel the pain that I was in anymore. Probably a blessing I suppose, natures way of healing.
I do know that I never want to go back to that life. The phone calls at home and work from credit agencies wanting their monthly payment...( which I often couldn't pay). The constant fear of what the postie would put in my mailbox. The lies that I had to tell. Oh yeah...and the fact that I stole from my sister so I could gamble.
My life was real peachy! 😉
Some recovering gamblers bust often. I had 1 bust which lasted for about 6 months. I loved it... I hated it... that same old feeling of self loathing and yet I wouldn't stop. Months of misery again, and the worst part was that I knew exactly what I was doing and how I would feel because I had been there before.
We can be our own worst enemies sometimes. For now, don't be too hard on yourself. Work out what was your trigger to gamble. Identify the trigger and then find a solution that will prevent you from gambling if that does occur again. We all make mistakes. I hope this is just another bump in the road for you.
Take care
My advice would be ban yourself from all bookmakers and put blocks on your computer if you have one and gamble online. if you gamble in casinos ban yourself, thats my first step, I would then give any money I have to a loved one gf/bf mother dad. I have done this and my partner has given me there savings account card so if i need any money i just ask for it to be tranfered from the account, you need to keep these blocks in place for as long as you need them 1 months 6 months 2 years it does not mater it will stop the relapses, as it will be even harder for you to gamble with all these blocks in place.
I have just completed a CBT course for my gambling adiction and there is no cure but i now have the tools to use in life to stop me gambling. If you want to talk more about what i have been told I would be more than happy to chat.
minimac21
I just feel like I need to perhaps retrain my brain, it needs to work differently. This here, 3 months, 2 months, 6 months and then back to the same place...it's just not good enough. I'm lucky to be in this position. At one point I had ruined every worthy relationship in my life because of gambling, by owing money to everyone. I'm lucky even today, despite this that I don't owe people any money and it's only my money I have lost. However, very easily and very quickly. Things can go back.
I'd be very interested to know about this CBT Course, or anything you have to share. Thank you.
hi, if you private message me your email, i will send you all documents i have.
you can beat this trust me
The email bounced. Is your address correct? Thanks
.com not co.uk sorry
Hi minimac21
Just to remind everyone about the guidelines for sharing personal information. It's fine if you are sure you want to post your email address but just to remind you, this is a public forum so anyone can see it.
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forum/uploading-photos-and-personal-information
Best wishes
Alex
Forum Admin
yea thats fine cheers alex
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