Can I play?

Hi Dave

First of all I would like to say well done on the 9 months GF. That is fantastic, just do not get complacent as I did which has resulted in two relapses after about 300 days which taught me lessons the hard way about my behaviour as a CG.

My gambling was similar to yours, online roulette and slots, nothing in "real life". 

My honest answer to you is I don't think you should do it. Anything that risks exposing you to the feelings you associate with gambling, the highs of winning, the lows of losing is potentially going to re-light the gambling demon in you. Once I decided I needed to stop gambling I stopped all forms of gambling including going to the horse races with my family or having a bingo card when we were on holiday. Neither of these activities was anything like the type of gambling I previously had a problem with and to honest had little attraction for me. To get my kicks I would need to be losing a lot more money a lot quicker.    

I do understand your thought process but, for me, it is too much of a risk. Unfortunately there are consequences to our past behaviour.

Good luck with your decision and keep up the GF days.

Muststop123 

Hi Dave,

It's interesting that you say you feel guilty about it as guilt occurs when we do something that goes against what we believe is right.

You have to do what you think is right for you and as you say you are 100% certain that no harm will come from this so I'm not sure you need anyone's permission to validate your decision. 

Kind regards

Dont do it . as the above post says it will trigger reactions especially with beer flowing  and could be the catalyst to start  your gambling again  [ which tbh you would by partaking ]. avoid it . 

From experience , just buying a lottery scratch card reset my receptors and sent me on maniac gambling spree's of slots. The further we get away from gambling , the sooner those receptors get closed down in the brain. It will just mess with your mind and you will be doing calculations subconsciously again. ALL FORMS .

The correct advice on a recovery forum would be No Dave but you cant really put us on the spot like that. You know what the answer would really be here

I dont believe everything triggers us based on my experiences. However it can keep some sort of gambling feeling alive and the addiction has strange ways of getting at us

That is a matter for your conscience. If you have been recovering from one form of gambling and then tell your family you are having a casual game of poker it doesnt look very good does it...thats why you know you would feel a bit guilty.

I dont know all about the mess your other gambling created but it could look as if you are just taking the mickey out of those that cared.

If you do I would have the courtesy to have others controlling your bank balance and discuss it with anybody close that has helped you. You can see how it looks so you would have to be ultra sure complacency isnt creeping in

Your decision. 

Best wishes

I believe your Dad and friends who know about your history would respect a decision not to join in for this one night. There must be a lot of other nights you can all have fun together that do not involve gambling. They won't mind if you don't take part in this particular evening.  

Make this part of your recovery. The decision to stick with it and not gamble no matter how small the odds and that. 

It's your decision ultimately but I wouldn't risk my recovery for a games night. 

Drama. 

Hi Dave,

I don't do the national lottery but imagine i bought a ticket and i won several millions. Now imagine i was self excluded online, in every bookmakers & casino in the country. I honestly think i'd try my luck on the stock market and probably lose every single penny. It's who i am, a chancer a CG & someone who will always be weak willed and given the first opportunity would try and seek out some kind of fix for my insatiable appetite for gambling. Come on mate, deep down i think you knew the answer before you asked the question.

Your 1st paragraph mentions a £10 buy in, the 2nd mentions a £10- £20 buy in, maybe it will become a £50 buy in. I vividly remember my 1st credit card deposit on the exchanges & telling myself it's a 1 off and win or lose that's it. 20 grand on & i was still doing 1 offs. Addiction tests us & tries to lure us back into our old ways constantly. Forget the poker night and if you've got £10 or £20 spare reward yourself  with a trip to the cinema or simply save it for a rainy day.

Best Wishes

AL

Have you asked at the meetings you're attending?

What do you think their advice might be?

Hi everyone,

Appreciate the responses. I feel a bit stupid to be honest! Deep down I know that it isn't the right thing to do and I guess yesterday I was trying to rationalise it (albeit poker not playing a part in my history of compulsive gambling). 

As I say it has nearly been 9 months without a gamble, something I'm really proud of. Just goes to show that the demon within still exists and still needs to be controlled. 

Dave.