A small blip after 17 days GF

You and me both, had a blip a few days ago which unfortunatly lasted for several days and ended up not as financially bad as it could of been. That sinking feeling you get is horrific, i'm also alone in the house as well. I luckily paid all my bills otherwise i honestly reckon it could have been much worse for me. 

I spent a good hour on the phone to a family member about it today, they had some good insight and helped me think about why it is that i do it as they are going through the same thing and recently fell of the wagon. 

They said to journal each day and honestly, my GF period i was journalling each day and it did actually help, if i had an urge i'd go journal or i'd do a voice note explaining to my self the feeling of losing everything and the physical and mental feelings that come with it and that helped tremendously - Worth a go if you aren't doing a journal.  

Journaling and creating a routine really does help

hey misty.......dont worry.......its not the gamble free day number that adds up its the continual being in recovery.......as youve got straight back on the horse and keeping with recovery it will help no end.....well vdone

Thank you all for your support I cannot stress this enough!!!!!!!! Adam and Stuart 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Free from….we got this, I slackened on my journaling and lo and behold what happens. We have got this, as you say Adam it’s only 1 or a few days after GF period/s. We will fight on! Lots of love x

I think being alone and boredom are one of the biggest reasons for getting sucked in again. I am in the same boat and sometimes in the evenings or weekends your mind gravitates towards the phone. I am trying to fill the gaps of boredom by doing other things like reading, walking or sometimes even if it’s just going to Tesco or Sainsbury’s and walking around for an hour without actually buying anything, sounds odd but it helps divert my mind. I am only 17 days gambling free, and am hoping it gets easier as time progresses, though I am also aware complacency can drag me straight back in. I hope all of you stay strong and safe. 

Hi Misty and Pav

Can I suggest a few things and let's get brutally honest but I'm going to talk from my point of view as I don't want to offer advice

Firstly, my name is Stuart and I am a compulsive gambler. I will always be a compulsive gambler and say that everyday at a GA meeting in person or online. What most people don't realise is that GA isn't about giving up gambling. It's all about removing the want to sort out the real problem and use the solution of gambling. Cold turkey rarely works and it's just sticking a finger in the dam. Once the crack gets big enough the flood is even worse and washes us away.

So what we need to do is build a better life. One that we don't go back to the past. 

Some suggestions that work for me and it's a culmination of 12 steps work and what I've learned over the last 136 days.

1. Morning routine. I do a guided mediation for 10 minutes on YouTube and I write down 10 things I am grateful for. I pray using the serenity prayer.....

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. This prayer is used by GA of course. This sets my day up on a solid basis and clear mind.

2. Daily routine. On a Sunday I write you the following week in days. At the top of each day is things that are a must and underneath anything I would like to do. If these get moved on a day I don't worry

3. Every day I write a diary. Mainly of my thoughts. I go through an inventory of the day to check I've been the best version of myself during the day and kind and loving to all. 

4. I check every so often what my friction looks like to that first bet and work out timings trying to make it at least half an hour away. If not then I add more layers of friction to the blocks in place. I've got Gamban on everything, bank gambling transactions blocked and Gamstop maxed out with Moses and sense as well.

5. Accountability. I have accountability to various people who check my bank account, this community, GA etc

6. Every so often I write a disaster list. This is what would happen if I place that first bet. Feelings, where it would lead to and how it would harm others. 

7. One of the things I worked out was what I used to enjoy doing and I started doing those things again. Walking, crosswords, watching certain TV shows so I use them to stay present. 

8. Post it notes with quotes on them. Keeps me in the zone of recovery 

9. Logging on here every day and going to the chatrooms

10. Online and in person zoom meetings. I do Gamfam and GA plus sone that wouldn't be relevant to either of you. 

11. Build up a support network. People you can talk to and just ring or text and say you are struggling. Hobbies or just doing jobs around the house to keep you present and not feeding the addiction.

12. Every day I tell myself I'm going to be the best version of myself they I can. There is no way that's going to include having a bet. It doesn't take long to want to be that person every day naturally. Do something for charity. Go out and leave 5 x £1 coins on five different dustbins for people to find. Put some food in the Tesco food bank collection. Talk to someone just walking down the road or serving you in a shop

Just try them and change your life. I have loads more but don't want to bombard you both and just because these work for me, might not work for you