Hi All,
Addiction is powerful, plays tricks with the mind & is more powerful than a CG can ever be. Respect it, fear it & don't let it con you into the oldest trick in the book, convincing you that you can defeat it with will power alone.
Is there a cure ?, I doubt it. It's there all the time telling us maybe my problem isn't that bad, one bet can't do no harm, waiting to pounce when we find ourselves not in a good place & vulnerable. It's a curse.
People say stuff like " Well done Slow on 4 years GF " I say nout changes & support is important. I never missed a Cheltenham for 30 years before I stopped. I still get urges, still want to gamble , I can't afford much at xmas & maybe one win could change all that that's why I still need support.
I need to listen to wise heads like lids, Josh, San, Carly1 to remind me of what harm 1 bet can do. I ain't cured, I'm no less an addict today than the guy who turned up here in 2018. Their pain is the reason I didn't gamble today. It might be something one of them said on a chat about how they financed their gambling maybe 2 weeks ago, it's maybe the guy who has 2 children moving back in with their mother who's partner has had enough. Either way we gain strength from one another.
I ain't kidding anyone, I ain't gonna say I'll never gamble again, temptation will come for sure knocking on my door, but I'll remember your stories, your pain, that give me the strength to say " Nah I Don't Want That Life Anymore " Tomorrow will be business as usual with trying to achieve my goal which is Just For Today I Won't Gamble. I'll worry about Wednesday when it comes. Never underestimate the power of addiction.
Sincere Best Wishes
AL
Well said ? I've been battling this for way over 15 years had good times where I've stayed away for months. But it can trick you into thinking you can gamble again with no consequences. Doesn't happen , best thing I've done is limit my access to money so if god forbid I do relapse the damage isn't so serve. Its very hard but as you say one day at a time for today I will not gamble
Well said slow totally agree with as you know I’m just only coming up to 3 months gamble free and I was feeling great then out of the blue had a real urge too gamble came on to the forum and was lucky enough to have you and others for support so I’ve learned already that it’s always going to be there
@banx1234 I decided yesterday that I had to self exclude after trying for months nighty to win my hard earned money back all from my savings until eventually I had £100 left mine was all online I would get annoyed with the casino because I had spent thousands and not had a single payout and you keep thinking eventually I will win my money back but they love people like me at least I’m not able to do it anymore and hopefully very slowly I can get myself straight again financially
I was hooked and they are so clever how they get you sucked in !!!
Once a gambler always a gambler there is no "cure"
As you as every day is a battle of control / resistance
Hi
For me recovery means healing my pains.
The more meetings I went to the less chances I would gamble.
Only once I started to abstain could I even start the healing my pains.
Being healthy is about healing my pains, facing my fears and reducing my unreasonable expectations of people life and situations.
You are worth it invest time and effort in to your rrecovery.
Dave L
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for your wonderful post. You're right part of the recovery process is healing
Sincere Best Wishes
AL
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
