When opportunity strikes

That's a very positive statement. I say it's not a gambling problem to myself (it is) get your mind under control and keep busy avoiding the danger zones.  Harm will be reduced day by day. Good on you mate. You know your triggers etc

Thanks.. Staying strong together with support 

Hi BR

You need to forget that word opportunity when related to gambling. On those odds its certainly isnt what anybody rational would term an opportunity. Food for thought because the use of that word rang my alarm bells

Focus on what it did to you. Gambling dens have a carefully calculated fund that backs them up. All the risk was really with you. They can absorb the ups and downs far more than any punter. Every machine they put in will take more than it gives so they have won straight away as long as they get punters through the doors...same with casino games...do you really think they would run a game that steadily loses them more than they take in. They can also refuse to take bets and ask people to leave when it suits them. Its a David vs Goliath situation and if another Goliath cam in they would refuse to take the bet

Its a mugs game of gamblers delusion. When addicted its totally out of control but it was never an opportunity in the first place. Its a risk with everything stacked against you.  Their absorbing fund vs your marriage your house and your food money. You know this but every tenner that comes out of those places is stained with the misery and heartache of the person that gambled it.

Its no scene from a James Bond movie. Gambling is killing people.

I wish you all the best in your recovery. Use your time to keep busy and strengthen those blocks.

Joydivider.. Thanks.. Your advice has not fallen on stoney ground... Today is going well.. The reinforcing it gives me in these forums is great.. 

Early days so still having gambling urges and grieving for lost time amd money and the former me. Rome wasn't but in a day though so patience must step in.plans for the day ahead which keep me occupied are proving a saviour as is this site. To think it all just started as a onenight social event several years ago.. I don't ever think I will make sense of my gambling.. But just keep telling myself now there is nothing I need it for in my life.. I am getting back the feeling of being able to face people and feeling more upbeat and less distressed.. If the symptoms of gambling used calories I would be twiggy by now. Sadly the only thing it has burnt is my cash.. But in a good enough position to stop complete meltdown which is what I must ***.. Have a decent day everyonec

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2nd thread from me for the day.. Strong urge. Maybe because its midweek. 2 days to payday so getting silly ideas.. Getting it off my mind writing. Sat down deep breathing and comforting cup of tea. It has dominated such a big part of me and my life last five years.. Feel almost like I need to exorcise it from my mind.. The demon.. It lures the unexpecting.. Its misery dressed as fun.. Its a thief and time for me to lock it away for its life sentence. Throw away the key.. Bye for now. Gratefully lots to do and friends to meet

This sounds like a great forum, I myself have struggled with gambling addictions for years, At first, I didn't admit I had a gambling problem,  then I thought I had under control for a while, but then I never really dealt with it, I never accepted I was a problem gambler, my relationship broke down and I have lost a business to gambling, but this month alone I have lost £12,000 pounds, savings toward another business, I accept I need to take it one day at a time, Now I am at rock bottom, I have lost upwards of £60,000 this year, a relationship and a business. I am an addict. A problem Gambler and I need to accept this fact and deal with it. Good luck to everyone here.

Welcome to the forum.  I'm glad you feel that it is going to be useful in your journey.  Thank you for introducing yourself.  As you are new to the forum you might like to post this in the new members intro section.  If you go to the new members intros then click on the add topic button you can start a new thread and you might find that you get more responses there.  Kind Regards  Forum Admin