What have I been doing?

evening

A huge welcome to the forum

In truth the person who can help you the most is your good self.

To admit that gambling is something beyond your control is a huge step in the right direction.

You will receive a wealth of help,support and some great advice here from like minded folk who in large share the same common goal

To arrest the destruction from their lives that is the compulsion to gamble.

We all lived by the same mantra

I CANNOT WIN BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP

any win is simply not big enough,so we relentlessly gamble on,losses are chased in the same vain,the bottom line for me as an active gambler was there was no end game,no win would ever make me stop,i was simply compelled to gamble on.

My advice the same advice that was gifted to me on my first days recovery,it still works today

There is a triangle

Time-money-location

take at least one away at all times and you cannot lay that bet,you gift yourself some rational thinking time.

Recovery really is a gift

It is free and never stops giving,you just have to want to take it.

Self exclude,block your computer,do whatever it takes to give yourself a chnce to feel like a winner

With irony that is what arresting the punt gives

The stakes,there is not one!!!

Be kind to yourself,for me recovery is the one selfish gift we gift ourselves that does have a positive effect on those we profess to love.

The losses they are gone,you will not win them back.

Without gambling you will not add to them either

Duncs stepping forward never back

Hi Duncs thanks for this, I Cannot win because I cannot stop is so true to how I gamble, I never stop until I have to which is when all the money is gone. I will take your words with me into tomorrow and hopefully the weeks, months and years to come.

Has anyone used a blocker for Android mobile phone? I need to prevent myself from gambling on my phone as this is where I seem to loose control time and time again.

Thanks

Hi there if you read Duncan macs posts you won't go wrong he is a legend. The triangle thing off me is brilliant . Unfortunately, you will always have time, you will always be able to bet no matter where you are. The third one though is the one I think you can manage. Personally I have handed my credit cards and bank cards to a great friend, this was tough as it involved admitting that I wasn't the cool successful person everyone thought I was a wreck in loads of debt and chose to gamble rather than treat the kids. After 3 years gambling I have lost a fortune. Now I don't have access to cash, i spend more time with the family, I am fitter and I appreciate the important things in life. People. Good luck and remember every long journey starts with a few small steps.

Hi.

I want to wish you all the best in your journey.

For me removing access to cash works the best too.

The mistake I made the last time was thinking I was safe to have a card back. It took weeks, but the evil seductive thoughts slowly crept back and had their way.

I've given up my access to funds now, and I know I'll do fine this way 🙂

Another important thing for me in recovery is the support of friends and family. Only my two best friends, my parents and my fianc know what's been going on and they're my rocks, without them I'd just give up.

Good luck and here's to a happier future x

Morning. So here I go Day 1 of no gambling, today I don't see being too much of a big deal as I will be in work most of the day and I do not have any funds in my account ( I lost it all Monday) so cannot go online tonight.

Thank you for the advice and I definitely agree if I take money out of my control then I will not be able to gamble....This could prove a little difficult as my husband doesn't know that I have been gambling, he has been aware in the past but he made it very clear that if it happened again he would leave, who can blame him, I am not sure I would be very forgiving if I knew someone was messing up my life! Anyway I will be talking to my sister as she knows everything and I will ask for her help to manage my money!

Today I feel calm and totally focused on what I must do, I just hope this feeling will last and I know my biggest hurdle will be payday at the end of the month but I am going to put every control in place to ensure that not one penny is given to any form of gambling company!

Thank you all again for your kind words and advice. X

Hi Just Don't

Well done on admitting to yourself that you have a gambling problem it's a big step to have to face it but you have admitted it to yourself

All my gambling was online so cards went through the roof

I use cash and only leave 8 in my bank because my minimum deposit is 10 so I cannot feed the machine

I use the triangle which is time location and money because if we take one away at all times it's impossible to play

We will never win because we can never stop

And when we realise that we are on the positive road to recovery

Take one day at a time it helps don't think too far ahead think of now today and you will get to tomorrow

Wishing you the very best on this journey

Suzanne x

Morning All.

So day 2 is here and I am proud of myself that yesterday I didn't give in, I had to nip to the shop after work and normally I would buy a scratchcard but although I looked at them I just looked away and didn't ask the cashier for one, not much I know but I need to get myself out of the routine I have been in.

Today although I am still feeling positive I have a sinking feeling in my stomach as payday approaches, I know this will cause all sorts of thoughts but after reading lots of diary entries I know that I do not need to act upon those thoughts and I am determined not to. It is quite scary thinking how I will cope without gambling I have been doing it for so long it is how I live but I am going to occupy my mind and body by spending time with my two gorgeous boys and try to give back to them some of the time they have missed out on with me staring at reels going round.

I know I can't go back but I also know I can move forward and that is what I will do!

Thanks for all your support it really means a lot x

Hi Just Don't

You are moving g forward and upwards well done on day 2

I read some words from someone's post this morning and they said don't think of tomorrow think and focus on today and get today right I think those words ring true

Take care

Suzanne x

Hi just

Thanks for your post it is much appreciated

Have a good positive gambling free day today

And win today x

Suzanne x

Day 3 today all I can think about is blinking gambling, didn't help that a friend of mine was telling me last night how she had found a really good game and had won (she doesn't know about my issues) but it did have me thinking how I always feel like everyone else is winning and I am the only one losing, sometimes I would think it was a personal thing against me! Anyway onwards and upwards! I hope everyone else is staying strong and enjoying the sun x

Hi jus don't

The only real winners are the ones that don't gamble and that is you today

Keep strong and keeping going and you will win again tomorrow

Suzanne x

Day 6, haven't written for a couple of days as have been keeping myself busy. I have managed to stay clear of any temptation so far so good but still dreading pay day and still trying to find a blocker for my android phone. Thanks for the advice that has been posted it really does help knowing that there are others around to help. I really hope you are all staying strong x

Hi just

Well done on day 6 one day at a time and you will win

every day and pay day will be what it should be. Your. Pay day no one else's

Suzanne x