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Monday, 27 August 2007
3:57:46 PM**
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Answer to Jane's question - what we do all day
Hi Jane,
I hope you don’t mind but I've moved the answer to your question and made it a new topic so others can see the answer for future reference. Are you thinking of applying to Gordon House or have you done so already? Don’t answer those if you don’t feel comfortable doing so 
From Monday to Friday the week is structured around the programme. What you do each day is dependant on what stage of the programme you're in but will include a 1:2:1 session with your support worker, the other residents or a counsellor (when in phase 2). There is also written work to be completed in phase 1 and 3 so some of the time is spent on that as well as discussing it with the other residents. How much you discuss is obviously up to you but the more you can talk about it the more help it is.
You will need to do your shopping once or twice a week so trips in to town are very much on the menu  There is a gym about a ten minute walk away and once you’ve settled in you will be able to use it. It also has a swimming pool so that’s something else you can do.
The weekends are left up to the residents to organise. There are a few local places of interest (including a zoo) which can be a good way of spending 1 of the weekend days. There is also a local big screen cinema and that’s also a good weekend activity. You don’t have to do anything at the weekends but having something specific to do certainly help's pass the time and it’s recommended that you organise something.
The days, although filled with some kind of worker contact are not always completely full so you do have a lot of time to fill yourself particularly in the evenings. Reading, drawing, watching TV and knitting (!!) seem to be the most popular past times though the knitting is certainly not compulsory! You spend a lot of time talking to the other female resident(s) and this can be a good way of understanding the addiction and how it works. You’ll also get to go back to childhood days and while away hours playing board games – more fun than you might think!
The programme is not necessarily designed to fill every waking minute – it’s about you learning to understand yourself and your addiction and you will need space and time to do this and the programme offers you that opportunity. Gamblers by nature are not lazy people because if our heads aren’t thinking about the gambling then we are actually doing it instead. If you make the choice to go to Gordon House then you’re making the choice to give up gambling and so you’ll need to learn how to fill all that time spent gambling – literally or mentally. Gordon House provides that opportunity.
The time away from family, friends and your old gambling lifestyle gives you the chance to reflect on what has past, rectify and learn what you can and make changes for the future.
I hope that helps - but as always, if not, ask away 
Lucy
xx
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Monday, 27 August 2007
8:55:04 PM**
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Re: Answer to Jane's question - what we do all day
hi Lucy
thanks for the answer
jane
jancolc
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