I'm never someone who classes himself as gamble free, I never say that I won't ever gamble again. I won't ever say I haven't got a gambling problem.
What I have got back at least is control, I'm in charge of my own money and finances. I'm banned from online betting yet I never enter betting shops either, My partner had a betting account I could still use, I've closed it down.
A month ago I attended an event at a racecourse, did I gamble? Yes? Did I budget what I was gambling? Yes, did I stick to it? Yes... could the outcome have been different? Absolutely but the important thing is I know that and acknowledge that!! I hadn't gambled for a good 4/5 months before and I haven't since the racecourse, I have watched alot of games of football these last few weeks, with no thoughts of betting, even attended a game with no thought of betting or what I'd normally have betted.Â
How has this been done so far? By putting all the correct measures in place, by looking at every aspect of my life and changing anything that made me think or want to gamble, counselling and completing a full course not just 4/5 sessions and ending it as I feel better. Letting other people take control of things I know I wasn't good with, letting people help me deal with things in different ways. Mainly actually wanting to change and wanting to be different, not just saying it in the hope I'd believe it myself but actually proving It to myself.
I believe everyone can do this and I believe everyone has an underlying reason they gamble, until they accept and deal with that reason so nobody can truly help us or change things.
All the best everyone
Great and possibly controversial post mate. Awesome job on controlling things. I’m certainly no expert and have no idea how this addiction works but I’m sure it’s different for everyone. For some maybe they can enjoy the odd night out at the tracks. I’m not going to try it, but I was never into anything but slots. I’m pretty sure in a few years I could maybe enjoy a night at the races. Who knows what the future holds. I’ve only ever been into a bookies for the grand national so I’m not self excluded from them. I’ve also not been tempted to go into them. Online for me ea the issue and as long as I’ve got that locked down I feel safe.Â
I too believe everyone can beat this. It really does take a strong moment of mind though. For me it just clicked. I knew, hand on heart, that I would never be in the situation of losing everything again. I can’t claim to have beaten it, but I can say that my mind is still as focused as it was when I reached that decision and nothing will change that. You really can see when someone has reached that moment and when they are not quite there. Those differences really do mean the difference between staying gambling free and not. That’s my thoughts anyway.
Stay strong 💪Â
Cheers fish appreciate the words, I always worry my post will be controversial due to the damaging effects of gambling to so many people in so many ways and I feel for those who this has destroyed. I also believe people need to see that things can change and that it's not all black and white, things can change for the better and control can be regained. All depends on the person, circumstances and what they want from the end of it. Like you've pointed out everyone's addiction is different involving different sports / events / options etc...
Keep going strong mate sounds like your in a great place 👍🏻 💪🏻Â
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It’s an interesting topic mate and one I’ve thought about lots. Be good to see others thoughts too. My addiction has only ever been slots. I’m pretty sure I could still bet on the national once a year no issues. I’m not going to. I did play online poker in my early gambling life and was pretty good, but I was always tempted by the slots available and lost the money I made at poker. Horses etc never interested me. I won on the national a few times and it never crossed my mind to try other racing bets. Gambling is a weird addiction and I personally believe it’s the slots and spinning wheels that was my addiction, that’s were my dopamine hit came from, waiting 90 min for a football result didn’t give me that buzz.Â
Im sure it’s a very controversial topic and I’m sure there are many different opinions on it. Ultimately though, for me anyway, I’m committed to giving up all gambling and will never place a bet again. There are other addictions like this out there. Some people say weed is the gateway to other substances, but everyone knows people who do that and don’t go further. Again, controversial, but entirely true. Again something I won’t do!
At the end of the day, addictions of any kind are personal affairs and impact people in different ways and as long as you find your own way of abstaining form the devastating parts they do have to be a part of our life’s. The addiction isn’t going away. It’s how we deal with it to ensure we live a happy normal life that is the important part.Â
100% agree mate, I do think alot of addiction recovery depends on whole circumstances aswell, I know alot of my gambling was triggered by a failing relationship I couldn't see a way out of, since that relationship I had the odd moment with gambling due to feeling alone and unworthy of much in life, couldn't focus on the good parts of life just always worried about money and then stupidly chased it, counselling taught me what my triggers were and also taught me how I went into auto-pilot when I couldn't cope with things and did alot of things without thinking or really realising until it was too late.Â
I find it fascinating that everyone is so different. For me slots never interested me, I was more about that instant win / buzz... For me that was horses and greyhounds but I never really enjoyed it if that makes sense was just something to do, which I'm more grateful now that to gambling rather than booze or drugs cause if I had done those I may not be here... Football bets I always enjoyed but never went daft with them as I know what an up and down chance football can be 😂😂
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