Have not been here for a while

It's great to see more people joining here. I've been clean for more days than I can count, so I needed a break from here.

Being addicted is tough, especially when you're addicted to gambling. There's an addiction therapist in the US named Melissa Tiers. She says that most addicts—about 90% of them—find their own way out without getting any help. It's like needing more and more of something just to feel okay. I've seen it in gambling and in drinking. People keep wanting more to feel that same high. After a while, you want so much that it's impossible to get that same feeling. Just look at how some folks spend more and more time on TikTok, and you'll get what I mean.

But here's some good news: many people naturally find their way out of this cycle. The journey isn't easy; there are good days and bad ones. It's important to decide the kind of journey you want. Just letting things happen won't help, but taking charge will. If you're just hiding out in slot machines or betting shops, you'll feel it when it stops being fun.

Here's my advice: turn off the TV for a while. It fills our heads with a lot of stuff. Try some simple relaxation or mindfulness exercises. Talk to someone here if you need to, and always keep hope. Remember, most of our fears are just in our heads. So, decide to think differently. Build up your confidence, and if something's bothering you, talk about it. Set some goals for your life and go after them. When you've achieved them, set some more. It's possible to move past addiction, and you don't need to hurt yourself. Changing how you see things can change everything.

Stay strong. I'm rooting for you.

C