Day 2.
Posting to keep myself on track, and for support removed link
My background with gambling is too long to go into detail, although the short version is I started young with family games, and slot machines under age and in the pub, didn't gamble for many years then found casinos, poker and online gambling and the pain started...
I've tried many different "programs" and whilst these have helped I've always thought in the back of my mind I could control it with my own will power alone, now I'm realising I don't have to and am opening up to the community for peer support.
What do I want now?
To stay away from gambling and lead the fulfilling life. Which I know is outthere when my time, money and thoughts aren't consumed with gambling.
I would like to join others that this resonates with, or anyone just looking for a life away from gambling to join me.
With you one hundred percent let’s battle on in positive optimism helping others worse off than ourselves
Thank you for your reply 'making hay'.
I now more than ever before understand how important sharing and supporting others can also help our recovery.
Glad to have you as part of my journey.
Good luck, I wish you well. Your story sounds very similar to mine, in the way that you started and always thought that you could or should be able to handle it with willpower.
Finally conceded the fact that I cant do it with willpower alone, as I'm now on my fourth gamstop self exclusion.
The bit about not being totally consumed by it struck a chord with me. It's not just the act of gambling, it's all the time it occupies your mind, like when can I next gamble, when will my partner be out, how much can I gamble, for how long etc.
Wish I could give you some awesome, inspiring advice but I seem to be at the same point as you (latest self exclusion was only 3 days ago). Just wanted you to know that there are others out there with similar experiences, who understand what you're trying to achieve, and I wish you success.
That really should have said i'm glad to be on the journey with you!
That really should have said i'm glad to be on the journey with you!
Likewise, all the best to you too.
The time you get back makes so much of a difference. Alongside the part about reaching out for help, and taking that support to help you along when times are difficult.
This is new to me but just reading about this is my life I’ve gambled since I was 18 and it wasn’t a problem then but I used it as an escape when I was low or bored in lockdown it got a lot worse I wake up and within ten mins I’ve gambled and then go about my day and when I get home I gamble it was taking over my life but trying to tell people who don’t understand from fear of judgement it’s like a secret life
A day at a time is working for me. I've started planning more, daily, weekly and longer term. I've got more time and less stress, life's getting better.
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