Am I being HEARD ? Are you being HEARD ?

Being heard is a difficult thing to do at the best of time let alone on a recovery journey, make sure you hear yourself and the rest will fall into place heard or not one day at a time the ears will start to turn and pay attention to the actions that your doing and sticking to your word 

Never will be heard and never would i expect any changes yes in the real world few addicts arw making a few changes and i have noticed a shift in talking about gambling addiction since 2010 when their was only youtube and the odd video online however by vast majority gamblimg has shifted in other areas not just the traditional casino however i have noticed more people do seem to sympathise with those type of addicts it just like small businesses going under however vast majority of people are still clueless how this type of gambling can do so much damage they seem to understand the lossing part as nobody likes to lose money however he/she doesnt simply *** they ideal addiction isnt about the money 

well said stuart good insight !

That’s a tough question from your counsellor. I think a lot of us in recovery struggle with that one.

For me, the only place I really feel heard sometimes is in GA or spaces like this, because people here understand what gambling addiction actually does to a person. People outside of it often try, but they can’t fully get it.

106 days GF is a great achievement by the way. Early days can feel confusing, but sharing honestly like this helps others too.

Great forum Stuart, I really can resonate with this. Great response from Chefjake which I am working towards in my early recovery days. 

Thank you Kairo, you've hit the nail on the head. I'm heard on here and at my GA meetings, try and do at least two in person per week and online. Like minded people who have experienced the pain and chaos get it. Outside of that there is still that stigma. People support but do they hear the pain ? I have never wanted sympathy but some form of understanding instead. This may have started as a life style choice at 12 but soon became removed from that as addiction took over. When I got sacked as MD after 26 years of devoted my working life to building a company from scratch, they didn't hear me at all. I know I've given cries for help at work for many years and yes it's my fault for not fully committing and opening up but it's down to the stigma that made it impossible. There needs to be more education out there so at least some people can understand what it's like. They can understand alcoholism and drug addiction, kleptomania, over eating, s*x addicts but not compulsive gambling. It's just seen as greed and selfishness. Within a few years you won't be able to walk down a street without passing someone who has a gambling problem 

Hi Stuart, 

This topic really resonates with me. I don’t feel heard about this other than talking to strangers in groups, on the phone or online. It’s really hurtful.

I started opening up to mum yesterday and was shut down very quickly with “I thought you stopped” “ But you’ve started counselling “. I tried to say it’s not that simple, I was really upset and apologised for feeling like a burden telling her and she just replied “mmm” and then silence. 
I left shortly after and felt worse for being honest. I know my parents love me but emotions and struggles are not allowed to be shown, it’s taboo to them!

I don’t want sympathy but just a little understanding and support as I’ve only told my mum and my best friend, so to the rest of my friends/family/ life, I’m absolutely fine, they have no idea what I’m going through. It’s just very lonely still even though I’ve tried to open up. 

@qrko7vbyx6 

Hi Ben

It's so difficult isn't it. That support is so needed from those nearest to us but there is no understanding

Stuart

Hi Jane

Thank you for sharing and opening up. After 44 years of lies and empty promises I experienced the same with my mum. Four months in our relationship is better than ever so don't get too down. Everyone around us who has been harmed needs to find there only journey to recovery. It's such a shame that more isn't done to reduce the stigma and create understanding but maybe that won't happen. The reason why GA rooms are so powerful is simply because of the understanding there. Each person shares and it's like listening to your own life being told by someone else.

Have you shared your whole story on this platform at all. If you feel comfortable it will be good therapy for you to get it all out, the history, how you think it started, the triggers and what recovery looks like to you. Your support network, what you do if you get urges and the blocks you have in place to help stop gambling

If you don't mind me asking what she are you, how many years did you gamble, what sort of gambling and how many days gamble free now ?

Stuart