Relapse

oh I know that feeling too well ?

Hi, 2 questions to start do you want to stop gambling? Or do you want to stop losing? Be honest if it's the first one then you have to try something different from what you've been doing. Recovery is hard work but so so worth it.

I need to stop. I cannot go on like this .. feeling very low right now 

Yes I know, I know the feeling well but you can get through this , I'm 10months gamble free and I will keep doing everything I can to maintain my recovery I don't ever want to feel again as you are right now. I feel for you but only you can do this , what have you tried so far?

I’m having group therapy with GamCare but am struggling with these relapses. I need to block everything as there is no other option. I’ll have to go to a food bank now.. it’s just ridiculous 

Yes. For me blocking everything was the thing that started me on the way to recovery. Knowing that I couldn't gamble was a game changer for me , also my husband having full control of our finances. Beginning of the year I struggled big time for a day of two, I'm being truthful when I say I would of relapsed.....but I obviously couldn't and I'm so glad I couldn't and the feelings passed. That's why the blocks need to be there for times when the addiction rears it's head, for protection,these things help they really do. Dig deep ,find that determination, make this the last time that you feel like this, the last time that you have to live without being able to afford food. You can do this

That’s really positive words from you thank you. I have to fight this 

Yes i repeat the great words from charlieboy..... once you get the blocks in place you will be ready for when addiction comes and rears its ugly head again.....  Have no money on you when you walk thru town, no cards just a bit of cash for what you need......Then u can only lose this and cant keep visiting a cash machine......If its online that is the problem join gamstop for five years then all your accounts get closed automatically and they refund you whats left in the account.....  Then youre free.......

Down the line you will be thankful for this because you will think less about money as its no longer an issue.

All the best good luck.

Adam

i think the slogan should be:

If the fun stops, try to stop thinking about money soo much think about lifestyle changes, swimming, friends, family, summer days, beaches, christmas, easter, holidays the summer days out, presents the gift of life !!!!! not how much money you have or have not got in your account.

Hope this helps

and the best things in life are absolutely free i garuantee it!!!!!! all the best mate start again, a new lease of life.

it sounds like u will have a super tough month but make this the last super tough month u will face.  if you have to borrow fifty pounds from a family member or friend to get thru so be it.... but promise yourself this is the last time that will happen.

Hi CJ

You have to face yourself and face the truth. Its enlightening and the answers are staring you in the mirror.

We understand! Oh boy do we understand! It took me 10 months after joining the forum to do something properly about it.

10 long months of constant relapsing and I was even advising people like I even understood! I would say the shame of that but I was ill...very ill. I meant well but I was controlled by an addiction

Its an addiction that promotes normality like nothing is wrong. It thrives on secrets and delusion.

There is a known phase where an addict knows that something is desperately wrong, talks about the truth but can do nothing to fight the grip of the addiction.

Its a split mind illness and the addiction continues to win until it finally knows the big measures have been rolled out to fight it.

You can stop this! Tell someone close and get your money protected. You have some cold turkey to do to give your mind a chance to heal.

Even then you can never be complacent again and your lesson everyday is that gambling is the most dangerous thing you can do. You will learn that lesson and take notes until your mind gets strong enough to realise its the truth.

You have been living a lie. Its essentially no different to the alcoholic waiting for the booze shop to open at 7am. 

Gamblers tend to think they have noble or even sensible thoughts about money but its simply a drug craving and a pattern of repeat behaviour for a fix. If you dont stop it now it will go on and on.

Its a mugs game a scam and a lie! Its NOT a get it back later scheme and you need to google the recent news of what a director of a big online gambling den earns per year...its scandalous and all that money is stained with the false hope and pure misery of gamblers.

Get miffed because you will go though various stages to reach the calmness and serenity you seek.

Gamble responsibly is an oxymoron.....a lie...its simply doesnt exist as you cant ever put those two words together. Read the links online from brave people who dare say the Emperor has no clothes.

How they are getting away with it is obvious when you realise the authorities supposed to protect you are in on the take

There is no shame in reaching out for help

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Thank you so much everyone. Everything you say resonates with me. The lies and delusions almost rewires your brain in to thinking irrationally and all boundaries go out the window. I need to stop now so that I have a future. 

I have come to learn gambling is like a drug. the more drug you take, the more it will kill you. I now know what a drug addict feels like. That feeling of chasing of high. But the more you chase that high, the more it will destroy you. It not only destroys your finance, it destroys your health. You can't simply "control it". its like a smoker, they will smoke all their life or go cold turkey but then they go to another bad habit. I've seen people go from quitting smoker to gambler or drug addict to gambler or vice versa. It is the same thing, the feeling of dopamine is what addicts like me chase, we know gambling is a losing game but its the feeling we crave. There are ways to do this outside of these bad habits, and if you google dopamine activities, you will find activities to do to replace gambling. Hope this helps