Hey everyone, it's been a while since I posted on here. 332 days to be exact. That was the day I last gambled, the 12th January this year (also my partner's birthday) I lost a hell of a lot of money and swore to him and to myself that I would never ever fall into that trap again.. and I haven't yet.
I just can't help but feel that niggling in the back of my head, the little urge that thinks "maybe if I just gamble a tenner or twenty I could win hundreds" which would be great, especially at this time of year with Christmas coming up.
I feel that niggle, but think I've come so far now and so nearly at that year milestone that I can't do it as I would be so so disappointed in myself and end up chasing losses and getting into the same mess I did before. I can't do it and I won't do it! I just remember the pain I caused and felt when I hit rock bottom in January and nearly lost everything (not just money)
Coming on this forum and reading other people's stories is heartbreaking, but it's useful to come on as a bit of a wake-up sometimes, when those urges do arise.
Does anyone else still get urges particularly around this time of year?
How long will it take for them to totally subside?
Stay strong everyone!
JG!
Your brain is like a tape deck ( if you remember those). All the experiences you have had in the past are stored and most things you go on experiencing in life are analyzed against that information so you can make your current decisions against the experiences you have already been through. To simplify. We are habitual animals and repeat a lot of the habits that we have programmed (they are called anchors). Now if you can come to terms that your brain works like that it is so much more easy to accept those repeat feelings and urges as just experiences in your tape deck (brain) reminding you of things you already know. And they are then easier to deal with. If you want to be in the less dependant on the information stored in that tape deck I recommend that you look up mindfulness that allows you to be more in the present. Feels like a lot of hocus pokus in the beginning but it's very effective.
And another thing. What happens when you or if you win?
No need to say any more than that because you know what is likely to happen then.
Hi JG21.
You should have a real self pride being gamble free but you can never be complacent.
You need to focus that the "wins" they advertise and you think about are not really on offer at those odds. The addiction can come back at you with a things are going well and whats the harm feeling. Theres no fresh start waiting for you with gambling. Its set up to take your money from you fast
Also It wont be a ten or twenty though will it? Was it ever that in the past?
The highly dangerous thing about gambling is that horrendous hook or thought that you can put things right the easy way...that its your time or you are due after the heartache its caused.
Thats not how it works and I am crystal clear that gambling is like putting my hand in molten metal. I am already a winner with money in my pocket. I never want that gut wrenching feeling again that I have thrown perfectly good money down the drain.
I enjoy my money and I put it to good use. I have a healthy realtionship with it now. I earn it and I dont want to give it away.
Christmas can be a strange one because its all tied in with money and wanting to feel good. You can have a spiritual time without all the pressure. You are told its all about money and keeping up with everyone else.
It isnt! Your peace of mind should serenely block out all the commercial nonsense.
The urges do subside and you will be too busy just getting on with a decent life. How can i inspire you that it really works. I can buy everything I need now. I enjoy when the feeling is just right to buy an electric bike or quality clothes for example
Gambling addicts are ill . I have a healthy mind now but I will never be complacent again.
Best wishes to everyone on the forum
If you did win you wouldn't spend it on xmas, youd waste it trying to win more and lose it all, then lose more by trying to win back what youve just lost.
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