181 days off gambling. Where's my get up and go gone?

Recovering from gambling addiction is more than just abstaining from a bet. I can relate to what you are saying as I've been in the same position many times in the past (several months even years abstaining) but it never lasted. That's until I started to delve deeper and followed the 12 step program. One of these is looking at character defects i.e. procrastination. I am a serial procrastinator (if there is such a word lol) and have found this to be the most difficult thing to change about myself. Change I must though and I continue to try and do that everyday.

One thing I found that helps against procrastination is writing down everything you need to do on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet/purse. This way it's a constant reminder of the things you need to do and you will be more likely to get them done and put a big tick beside it! That's what I find anyway.

All the best

Echo Sam, abstaining has been the easy bit for me. For the 1st year after quitting my 'thrill' gambling I was merrily bobbing along counting days, mini fist pump every night because I'd achieved something but almost to the day, that stopped being enough. The 12 Step program has given me a structure & although my laziness means I'm making slow progress, I'm in a much better place now than I was even in those early days & I'm a better person for my troubles.

I swing between procrastinating & gung ho, sadly the later only lasts long enough to start a project & in the last 3 years I would say I have bought well over a dozen tester pots plus the same number of full size ones & yet only managed to paint about 3/4 of the tiles I need to do plus one & a bit walls, albeit, complete with cutting in.

If you're @ GA, get a sponsor, work the Steps, if you're not as I suspect give it a go. If you've had one lot of counselling, have another. Addictions don't just go away, you know that as someone who traded initially, it's a lifelong fight to improve ourselves & our lives & 6 months (WTG by the way) is but a drop in the ocean. Good skills for coming here instead of giving in to something that has already tried to destroy you. Gambling destroys us, recovery gives us back our hope - ODAAT

Thanks for the responses. I've had a look at the steps before when I was in GA.

I think working the steps is the only way to stay off long term.

Not sure about going back to GA.

I also have a huge " To Do " list which if I'm honest just keeps getting updated every other week but I also try and put it in order of priority , I just think even getting it down on paper helps with clarity and things don't seem to clutter my mind as much :)) .

I can alway's look for an excuse not do something but never a real reason :))

Congrat's on 182 day's and all the best :))

ALAN 135 wrote:

I also have a huge " To Do " list which if I'm honest just keeps getting updated every other week but I also try and put it in order of priority , I just think even getting it down on paper helps with clarity and things don't seem to clutter my mind as much :)) .

I can alway's look for an excuse not do something but never a real reason :))

Congrat's on 182 day's and all the best :))

Thanks. Appreciated. 188 days now! I was moaning a bit earlier today that this "recovery" felt a bit like hard work. It's down to my actions to be fair. My get up and go comes and goes. Diet, exercise and rest is key to it. Today is a good day, which is always good!