Laura's Recovery

Hi, really good start to gamble free life. Like you I ended up using my husband's savings in the twisted delusion of going to win it back and more !! I won 5k....did I put it back or did I gamble it ? You don't get a prize for guessing as for a compulsive gambler there is only one answer. Keep your blocks strong they are the cornerstone to recovery, you will get tough days and on those days you will be grateful for your blocks but also talk about those tough days GA, post on here gain the help of others who know how you feel. I'm 2 years gamble free next month....2 years !! I never thought I could do it, when I came here I was broken,desperate. I read I listened I tried everything that people who had succeeded suggested. It worked, I'm happy,settled...enjoying life. Am I cured?....no...I'm in recovery. I will never take away my blocks, why put temptation in my way. One day at a time, like me.. for you those days will mount up. Be kind to yourself, you can do this

Thank you for the support, 2 years is amazing, I bet your life has changed so much for the better! 

What shocked me quite a bit about the GA meeting was there were so many people there who have not gambled for years (some over 10) but they still go to the meetings every single week. I guess we have to live differently from other people, possibly forever, but it will be worth it to be gamble free.

Look up stepchange for debt management. Open every payday loan letter you have and write them a letter telling them clearly that you have a gambling problem and right now you can not pay them but that you intentions are to pay them. Ask for a payment plan if possible.

Reason for this is that you need to get through it. However hard it feels you will feel better for grabbing the problem by the horns.

Remember that fear really only means future events appearing real. Nothing has happened yet.

Take charge make plans and get going. You will reach small goals and they will in turn become bígger goals with time. 

You can do it!

I wish you well.

C

Thank you for the advice and encouragement, I will definitely do those things. I know I will feel so much better once I have a plan in place for my debt.

Today marks 8 days GF, no urges today although it helps that I am broke AF! haha.

I had my first online therapy session today, it was emotional but I felt that a weight had been lifted afterwards! 

@laura1988x well done you xx

Thanks for the support Dave!

11 days GF today.

Today, me and my partner have gone over my finances, I have listed every single debt that I am in on paper and it feels good to get that out there. Tomorrow is another GA meeting. 

Today marks 13 days GF.... No urges

GA yesterday was good, my partner came along with me and I think that helped him a lot too. He is in complete control of my finances now. Next on the "to do" list is to contact the companies I am in debt to and try to get some payment plans set up. 

15 days GF but my financial situation is still diabolical and I know when I start having more money in my bank again, that is when I should start to worry. Although my partner has my bank card, I know I need to put more blocks in place because a compulsive gambler will always find a way!

17 days GF. No urges to gamble but I find that I am struggling with the fact I have no control over finances anymore. It is hard to not buy whatever I want, I'm going to London next week and wanted to buy a new dress for the theatre. I had to clear it with the boyfriend and he wouldn't let me do it until he got home from work. This resulted in a big argument... I guess that I was trying to push boundaries but not to gamble!

You are completely right Dave. I guess it's just a big change to get used to, I need to learn to be patient and understand this is all for my own good. The next GA meeting is in an hour, looking forward to it. I have been having gambling dreams lately, I wake up and can't believe I've done it again and then I realise it was all a dream! Quite scary because I am not having urges in daily life.