I am a recovering gambling addict; and when I was “in deep” it was an all encompassing low in my life (as many on this site will recognise).
I see many posts on this site of people in that low; but only (apparently) teetering on the edge of actually getting the support they really need, and taking action appropriately.
please take the plunge and go beyond posting your issues and take real action on it. Make the call to Gamcare. Set up the meetings with a councillor. Block the sites.
I was a secret gambler, and it was destroying me, and was consuming a huge proportion of my life. I joined Gamcare and spoke to the team; and immediately got advice and was set up with a councillor (i was incredibly impressed how fast this happened). I opened up to my wife (this was very hard as I’d already had an episode which I said I’d “sorted”; but guess what.... I relapsed again). She too got individual 1:1 support from the same expert, about my problem and how it affected her (which was invaluable for support - just to understand what I was going through and for her discuss her worries and anxieties). We have even been to counselling sessions together. No matter how close you and your partner are, it’s so good to have a “neutral” understanding individual in a room with you when discussing the madness of gambling.
anyway, I haven’t gambled in months now. I am returning to the skin flint I once was and counting the pennies ? (most of us know how your attitude to money changes with gambling through, amongst other things, guilt). But I’m not delusional and I know things can go wrong if I ever kid myself that a little bet is ok.
it is so hard to describe why I now don’t gamble. Especially after being so dependant on it. After talking it through and being open, all I can describe is it’s like (when I approach a bookies or a gambling site) an invisible resistance (like when you hold two magnets together at the “wrong”ends) . It’s because now I really know it made me the lowest I’ve ever been in my life.
I’m so much better today and everyone can feel better too; with help. And I don’t mean to sound righteous- I’m not.
cheers and take care.
Its great to hear that you are now doing well and on the road to recovery, i was in the same situation around 18 months ago and couldnt see things ever getting better, but slowly over time they do, you just got to be patient, my life has gone a full 180 to how it used to be.
Hi Macca
Such an encouraging post. Thank you for taking the time to update us with your brilliant progress.
Keep up the fantastic work and enjoy being a renewed "skin flint" 🙂
All the best
Forum Admin
Thank you. This is what I need to read.. I am 51 gf days. Buzzing with connecting with life again.. ?
Thanks Simon34. Sounds like you are doing great ?
cheers!
Cheers Boo radley. Good for you! Well done!
Great post!
Totally agree with what your saying, congratulations and all the best for the future.
I needed this post. I always said I wanted to stop but I must have been lying to myself as it didn’t happen. With this new year I know only I can get out of the hole im in no one else can do it for me. Well done to you and keep it up
All the best Liveinhope35 and BreakingFree. Nice comments and I hope you are both well and life is good for you.
And,
still no gambling for me. As the days / weeks / months go by the desire diminishes. the reality is (for me) that you don’t forget the desire, it just becomes more nonsensical (like it was before I got hooked).
cheers
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