A wee update, the past 214 days have been good. Positive and staying busy and focused. But the past 2 days the urges have been really bad. Advertising for Cheltenham, it’s everywhere, on the radio and on every advert. Every day I remember myself I am a compulsive gambler and must not gamble in anyway. I will never be able to gamble as I don’t know when to stop. Keeping busy and focused and staying strong in my fight against this horrible addiction.
Yesterday, I took a 3 x 5 index card and wrote on it, "Even once is too much" and taped it to my car dashboard. I want to remind myself to not start again. Congrats on your accomplishment and I know you can continue gamble free as you have done it now for 216 days. Way to go.
Yes well done keep going
Hi
Is it healthy to be distracted by Advertising for Cheltenham,
It was important to get my focus on to some thing healthy.
One Saturday Shirley many years ago my wife how I was.
Being Saturday I told her I was feeling stressed out.
Shirley told me to get my coat on and lets get out.
We found a ten bowling alley and it became a healthy Saturday habit.
Before i use to fear Saturday, it the became a day I use to look forward to.
Taking an unhealthy habit of living in fear, and making it an event we laughed and had fun as a family.
By getting focused on plans of things to do we redirect our focus and our emotional vulnerability.
Saying I must not gamble sounds stressful.
Saying I have to indicated obsessive thinking not healthy for me.
Just for today only I will not gamble.
Just for today only I will not smoke.
Just for today only I will reach goals never reached before..
Keeping busy and focused is healthy.
Giving up an unhealthy habit is not a fight it is a surrender to your self.
For me gambling is not a horrible addiction, it is unhealthy for me.
The addiction never hurt me, I hurt myself.
Love and peace to every one.
Dave L
AKA Dave Of Beckenham UK
Thanks fir the advice guys. Never in my life did I think my gambling could affect me mentally. Gambling has driven me in the past to end it all as I would be free of that feeling of being so stupid. I have turned my life around. I keep busy with work, walking, golf etc. Still dose not take the fact away I am a compulsive gambler. The past 217 days have been fine but will never take away the urges. I suppose now it’s how I deal with the urges. The world we live in we are surrounded by bookmakers advertising. Sometimes it’s hard to block the past out as I have told so many lies to cover my gambling up. I think the guilt hits you and makes you realise I am in this mess due to gambling.
Hello aliwonton1,
You're doing really well. Congratulations on 217 days gamble free, but more than that, congratulations on taking all the actions you have to help yourself recover.
We're sorry that gambling has caused you to feel so low as to attempt suicide in the past. It's great to hear that you have turned your life around, but for you and anyone else reading this who may be struggling with suicidal feelings either now or in the future, there is help.
You can always talk to Samaritans, available 24 hours a day every day on 116 123 which is a free number. The GP is the gateway to NHS support for mental health. There are also charities who can help such as MIND and Maytree, who offer support and potentially residential retreat for anyone feeling suicidal.
If you ever need any support with your ongoing recovery from problem gambling, please do contact us on 0808 8020 133 or by livechat. We're here 24 hours a day.
Keep posting,
Deirdre
Forum Admin
Hi
For me I was emotionally vulnerable before I took up my addictions and obsessions.
My addictions and obsessions were just the symptoms that I had certain emotional triggers.
For me my emotional triggers were my pains, my fears, my frustrations, loneliness and boredom.
For me keeping busy with work was my need time, I did not enjoy being at work I felt like I had to do it.
Like many people before me I questioned if I was stupid, dumb evil or just not good.
The very simple fact I was emotionally vulnerable and was living with a lot of fears and suppressed pains I could not heal.
The word recovery started to understand that only by me abstaining could my healing process start.
I understand it is not possible to heal if you are still causing your self more and more pains.
The gambling was just a way of self abusing myself.
My urges and triggers only indicated there was more healing to do..
I to have told so many lies it was a consequences of the pain and fears with in me.
I wanted so much to escape myself.
The gambling establishments never hurt me, I hurt myself.
Please stay with your recover it is so worth while living a healthy life.
Love and peace to every one.
Dave L
AKA Dave Of Beckenham
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
