Forum mods. Seems no other place to put this so here it is. I did email but haven't received a reply.
I had a reply I posted yesterday edited, and the main part of what I had posted was taken out for not being factual. It was to do with a story that is said in the GA rooms, and emphasised four places where a CG can end up, one of them being GA. It is said inside of GA rooms to highlight the addiction as well as the hope that one finds when finding themselves within a GA room. It is a GA story but has merit and is powerful when told in full.
I understand it's not factual, there are plenty of places that a CG can end up, and a Gamcare forum is one of them as well as therapy centres, chat sites, psychologists and psychiatrists, treatment centres or just doing it on their own with blocks and "will power".
I liked to think that the people reading the posts here understand when a story is said for effect, and that they don't need their hand holding while on this site because the illness is a thousand times worse(not factual, said for effect) than a few words.
Any advice I give is through my own experience and if you edit me you edit my struggle and my recovery and I will not be edited. This isn't a good illness, it kills people, it ruins families, it turns decent people into thiefs and liars. It takes everything given a chance and sometimes some harsh words or real life truths or just for effect stories need to be told in the hope that they might save someone's life.
Take this down, leave it up, I don't care, but if I am edited again for talking about the addiction I will take it personally and I will leave. I'm here to help others, not myself. I get my help in GA meetings and talking to people in recovery. This site is satisfying when addicts start getting better.
If my help or advice on this forum isn't good enough in its unfiltered form then neither am I.
Chris.
Hi Chris,
Well said & totally agree with your point.
Al
Hi chris, I will always be grateful for your interest and input into my recovery. When I first came here I was broken and lost didn't know where to turn. I put my trust in the advice I was given especially from people like yourself who have walked in my shoes. I was right to trust advice given ,life is better I'm better and I now believe I know how to stay better. Thank you
Hi Chris
Like Charlieboy I have also really benefited from your 'tell it like it is advice'. While perhaps not for everyone (what is), it was exactly what I needed at the start of my recovery. I'm now 163 days GF but those first few weeks were pivotal for me in setting my new direction.
I've seen you get more and more frustrated through some of your more recent posts and it would be an absolute travesty if you left the site and weren't there to help others like you helped me.
Hopefully some common sense can prevail.
SJC
Hi Chris
I'm surprised any of your posts have been edited.
Your advice is always measured, accurate and all the more compelling coming from someone who's 'been there'.
I didn't see the post but have zero doubt it's a poor call on the part of the mods.
Dear @Chris-Uk,
I am sorry that you felt that us editing your response was in some way belittling your experience.
We do understand that you have a lot of experience and valuable insights to offer other Forum members. We do also understand that your intention was to offer support, and to be frank and honest about the dangers of gambling addiction. However we do also have to consider the impact of comments on Forum members who are currently vulnerable and struggling to overcome their addiction. We have a duty to keep the Forum a safe supportive place and, while we completely agree that it is important to be realistic about the dangers of gambling, we also need to be mindful of comments that may be triggering and potentially even harmful to others who may feel hopeless and helpless.
It is also important to ensure that our Forum members are aware of all support options available to them. GA is helpful for many people including yourself. However it won’t be right for everyone and we would not want Forum members to feel that if GA doesn’t work for them then their only other option is failure.
Please be reminded that if you have a problem with moderation decisions to email Forum admin and also that it might take us up to 24 hours to get back to you.
All the best,
Zoe
Forum Admin
Hi,
You have committed the ultimate sin. Guilty of being honest & brutal of describing this addiction for what it is. In my experience you have given bad advice to no-one, but simply described in graphic detail how ugly gambling addiction is. I personally hope you choose to stay with us. Gamcares loss is GAs gain.
Al
It was good advice slow, but the 4 routes wernt the only options as the moderator has said
Lou x
This evening a few of us were moderated and I was over my use of language towards someone who after posting an inflammatory post was allowed to delete it. The changes made to my reply completely took away the contempt I found for this person in their original Piet.
We live in a society where this addiction is getting worse and the reality is that gambling destroys lives and families and futures. Yet people get offended by replies in case they are perceived as personal!
When someone comments and it's a name I'm not familiar with then I look back at previous posts to see what was written. It's a shame those posting don't do the same to their own posts to remind themselves of what brought them here in the first place.
Anyhoo, I have two GA meetings outside of this forum which are back open and every meeting I meet people who feel like their lives have been destroyed. GA gives them hope I tell them. I'm open minded to know there are other ways to help yourself but my experience, a life's work if you will, is that GA is the best way. If I call someone out in those rooms its listened to. Likewise, if I need a talking to over my behaviour or actions then I will listen.
I said before that I would not be moderated again for being honest or I would leave. I have to leave for my own principles, otherwise what would we be without them?
Good luck to you all in your abstaince and your recovery. Remember the difference, or if you don't know look it up. Aim for recovery every time.
Well done Charlieboy especially in your recovery and for your year when you reach it.
This is adieu rather than goodbye, at least for a few months anyway.
Last bet 15th November 2017. Maybe that counts for something?
Chris.
Hi Chris, I hope you read this, I definitely understand your decision and I appreciate your faith in my recovery. I hope you will come back as your experience of this addiction is invaluable to me and others, take care of yourself
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