Morning everyone,
Its day 230 of January and its been a while since I had any money. I have not gambled now for 13 days, although this has not been out of choice. The addiction and the pain that it brings would happily be gambling if I was able to, and a quick glance at my bank account shows that I am just £00.70 of that £5 deposit which would bring the flood of endorphins and stimulation which every cell in my body feels like it is craving.
I get paid at the end of the January. My mind is set on not spending the money which I give so much time to earn on gambling, although experience tells me that as soon as 0600 comes on Friday, I will have a quick glance at a website out of pure instinct and without even thinking, deposit and place a bit. Almost as if I black out and allow the feeling to embrace me.
Does anyone have any tips on how to break that specific bit of the cycle/can anyone relate?
Thanks for your help in advance, fellow recoverees.
Hi.
Get the book Allen Carr, The easy way to stop gambling. or better get audible and get the audiobook instead. I got it as a tip yesterday and I have had the earphones on the entire morning. It has everything you need. All you need to do is to have an open mind when you listen. It has magic and it is worth every penny.
Good luck in your recovery!
Thanks for your advise, @c43h
I have downloaded that on the free trial and am listening to this book as we speak.
I really appreciate your advise.
Thanks
Dear Astaritl123,
Thank you for your post to the Gam Care Forum and well done on your first 13 days free from gambling. January is a tough time for a lot of us money wise but it sounds like this has helped you in a way in avoiding the online sites and it could also be a good time to think about what barriers you could put in to place before you are due to get paid again, where as you say 'instinct' is likely to take over.
There are various blocks you could put in to place including self-exclusion (Gam Stop) and blocking software installed on any electronic devices that you may use to gamble - so phone, tablet, laptop/PC. You might also wish to consider putting restrictions on your access to money to gamble - a lot of bank accounts now offer the facility to block gambling transactions which can often be turned on yourself if you have a banking app or online banking.
Of course these suggestions are just barriers and if someone is determined to gamble then they will; so it could also be worth considering some treatment support designed to look at the bigger picture of your gambling, helping you address any underlying reasons, contributing causes, triggers and so on.
If you would like to talk about any of these options with a Gam Care adviser please do feel free to get in touch on our netline (web chat) or on our helpline 0808 2030 133, both available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Wishing you all the very best,
Forum Admin
Thanks for your advice, Gam Care. I will certainly give the team a call a bit later to get some help. Sometimes its best to talk to someone.
Hi.
Get the book Allen Carr, The easy way to stop gambling. or better get audible and get the audiobook instead. I got it as a tip yesterday and I have had the earphones on the entire morning. It has everything you need. All you need to do is to have an open mind when you listen. It has magic and it is worth every penny.
Good luck in your recovery!
This audiobook is fantastic, by the way.
Thanks
I second reading the Allan Carr book. I read it in the summer and I’ve not gambled since. I’m on day 177 and I am feeling so good about everything.
You’ve done 13 days! Keep going.
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