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Hello S_J_B,

Well done for recognising the abusiveness of the forum post which another forum member posted on your diary, and which was promptly deleted by a forum admin. Our forum rules state that members should not post 'Malicious' comments, and on the rare occassions when this occurs we generally remove the offensive text and place the offending user's account on moderation so they cannot freely re-offend. For those very rare forum members who have demonstrated over a period of time that they appear unable or unwilling to refrain from posting abusive comments, we block their forum account, and we block any new accounts they create, because they have evidenced in their behaviour an ongoing pattern of breaking the forum rules despite our attempts to help them to recognise and to follow the forum rules. The rules exist to protect the forum for the intended purpose of sharing online peer support for recovery from problem gambling.

I think it is useful to see that their abusive behaviour is not normal behavior on the forum, as the norm on this forum is to share supportive comments. Their destructive behaviour is the exception rather than the norm. We are sorry that you were targeted with an abusive post on your diary, and we hope that you find that overall the forum is a supportive place for you to use for peer support online. You are welcome to continue using the forum, where most members share compassionately and with integrity, or if you prefer to take a break from the forum, you can return when you feel ready. You are also welcome to use our freephone helpline and netline.

Take care,

Forum admin.

My goodness, S!

I'm so sorry you've experienced this. It must be so distressing. Sending you lots of love.

f x

Hope you are okay, thinking of you

Wilsy x

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I love that entry! 🙂

I can relate to some aspects of yourself having to burn to the ground, before they can be rebuilt. I thought I couldn't forgive something, yesterday morning - by the evening it was processed and gone. I seem to go through these intense processes very quickly though. Can be exhausting! It's comforting when you learn that things falling apart, is sometimes part of the process of healing. Easier to just ride it.

You've got great bounce-back-ability! Very strong and resilient, is our S :-)))

f x

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Well done on staying strong, S.

You deserve a peaceful month with progress made, financially.

Everyone is different but one thing that used to help me, was focusing on how the gambling industry exploits addicts. How they try to find ways to entice us back, how it's an immoral industry that wants our money but doesn't care what it does to us. Profit before people. I got defiant and started feeling determined not to let them profit from my misery! Not to let them win. Just an idea. Might that help fuel your determination? Another trick is to "mentally fast forward" to how you will feel once all that money is gone. Wasted in a short space of time. Really visualise how that will look and feel. I still remember vaguely, the horror that dawns on you. The feeling in the pit of the stomach.

You deserve to have a better month after working so hard.

I relate to what you say about addicts being prone to making unhealthy attachments. I still do it myself. I'll have a favourite place that I go through a phase of visiting for lunch all the time, a favourite tv show I'll binge watch, a favourite meal I'll cook over and over. I even have favourite games I'll want to play, over and over, while it's my current obsession.

Take care,

f x

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