After resisting for a few months another big loss has made me determined to stop. I feel I can control myself in most forms of gambling, however it is the casino game 'three card poker' which I am addicted to and cannot stop once I start. I hope by checking into this diary everyday I can once and for all stop playing.
Day 1 complete
Hi rpap, welcome to the forum. You've made the first step and now have a day under your belt. It looks like you have been trying to stop gambling for a while and have managed to break the cycle for a short while. There must be a reason that you gambled again - have you thought about what that might be? Gamcare is a great first place to stop, to lick your wounds and think about what has happened and the reasons behind it, but just checking in on your diary daily probably won't be enough to stop completely. There are of course the obvious blocks, self excluding, breaking the time, money and location triangle - by taking one of those three away, you can't gamble. There is also blocking software, if you gamble online. For some people, me included, only complete abstinence works - even doing the a line on the lottery each week keeps me in that gambling frame of mind, and dreaming of that big win that I haven't earned. So even though you believe you can control yourself in most forms of gambling, you are keeping yourself in the wrong mindset. That said, it's not a one size fits all. As well as checking your own diary, you could read a few others and get some ideas that 'gel' with you to help you crack this addiction. Gamcare also offer free counselling, either online or face to face and some members of GC find going to Gamblers Anonymous really helpful.
One thing is for sure, this addiction can be beaten, you just have to find the right path for you and importantly, address the reasons that you gamble in the first place. Best of luck rpap, you can do it, many on here are testament to that!
Twinklyr
Thanks for your reply
I beleive the main reason I gamble is when im bored more than anything. I no longer have control of my finances, but i've found ways round that in some cases. I think I need to find an interest which keeps my mind of gambling, which i'm searching for now.
Day 2 complete
Day 3 complete - urges to play today but managed to stop myself by doing other things.
Day 4 complete
day 5 complete
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