It's been over year since i have posted but i am back. I have moved house, broken up with my fiancee, changed jobs and relapsed several times since my last post. However, i am now one month gf again and more fired up than ever to kick this habit once and for all.
I find myself back on here today as the aftermath of all of the above has affected my mental health and my mood significantly (having therapy for it) and as a result the urges to gamble are stronger than ever before due to my head being in a strange and difficult place. My brain wants the distraction that it's had for 8 years (on and off) of gambling rather than dealing with my problem and IT HAS NOT and WILL NOT beat me. These are the worst that i can ever recall happening (maybe because i have relapsed previously by now) but any words of motivation/advice for this episode would be great - i am battling and not letting it win but any input would be amazing.
Addiction really is the worst thing - we do have the strength within us to beat this d**n thing though.
I will not let Gambling rule & define my life.
Athena
Hi Athena,
Go you! Well done on getting to 1 month and your longest period of abstinence.
I’m sure with a determined mindset you can beat this nasty addition.
I’m only on Day 6.. Not struggling at all with not gambling but home life isn’t so good right now..
Good luck x
Also have you signed up for the counselling? I called Gamcare on Sunday, had an assessment on Tuesday and am booked in for phone sessions.
Hi Miss P!
Thank you for your reply 🙂 i have now been referred for counselling so awaiting them to call me, I'm hopeful this time will be it!
Have a good day.
Athena
Well done on realising the issue and bringing back the determination and motivation you once had, if you did it back then, there’s nothing stopping you from beating this again.
gambling is often a hideous coping technique we turn to cope with stress, within your therapy or yourself it would be wise to learn a better coping technique for any life stressful events that come up. Life is filled with stress and break ups and all sorts of c**P. We can’t keep turning to gambling every time s**t hits the fan.
i am still learning healthy coping techniques to stress personally so I can’t be of much use. I personally use meditation and plan to turn to exercise as a way, I’ve heard it’s worked well for others.
Just a quick update... my silence does not mean that I have relapsed. I am still doing well and not feeling the urges to gamble at the moment but not to worry, i know they will return at some point. I have been quite ill the last few weeks so have been at home a lot bored, which would normally be the perfect recipe for a gambling relapse. However, online exclusion and a strong will means i haven't been tempted at all to even try.
Each day i remind myself how far i have come as i have not gambles now for nearly 2 months. Thank you for all of your support as i am also counselling to help to address those underlying issues that keep sending me to gambling for a distraction.
Hope everyone has a great gf weekend 🙂
Well done on your continued gamble free life 🙂
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