[faye2458]

I had great intentions of starting the new year gamble free and I did manage to do just that for a short time…I thought I had this but I was so very wrong.

[faye2458]

Tomorrow’s a new day…

[Dunc]

Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[jen3]

Hi Faye! I been thinking about you. Glad you posted. Sorry you gambled. You can do this. Keep coming here. Put things in place so you can not gamble???? Try to get in chat later if you can.

[faye2458]

Thank you Jen.  Starting today as day 1…again.  I’ve been battling this nightmare for almost 14yrs.  I could have retired well on the money I’ve lost to gambling but instead I’ll be lucky to ever retire at all and if I do it will be a meager existence and I have only myself to blame.  I’m going to put some barriers in place so I won’t have access to money for gambling.  I too am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[Steev]

I wonder if you know what the trigger was that pulled you back into gambling. It might help to see when you are in danger of betting again. I am retiring soon and any ideas I had of being rich in retirement are gone. But I should be debt free and able to enjoy the simple things in life. It will be enough. I wish you well.

[faye2458]

Hi Steev.  My first slip was on Sunday.  I had worked an extra shift and was tired and lonely.  My sister had contacted me that day while I was at work in regard to my parents and how they weren’t getting along.  I don’t think I was thinking of that though.  I was tired and didn’t really want to go straight home.  I felt like ‘relaxing’ and I would be able to control myself…you know, just stay a short time & leave…and there was a thought in the back of my head that I might win some extra money to make up for some of my previous losses.  I had actually walked out of a casino with $500 winnings on my last venture of 2018.  Sunday night was the usual night of remorse and Monday was the ‘day after’ a not so funday Sunday.  I was tired and depressed for slipping on Sunday.  On days like that it’s best for me not to leave my house unless I’m going to work.  I went to a gas station to get some beer…that was my excuse…& of course they had a casino.  The rest is history.  I work tonite and am leaving my cards at home in in the case I get some crazy thoughts when I get off tomorrow morning.  Going to start leaving my house with only enough cash to stop and pick up things I may be needing. 

[Steev]

Interesting that you see gambling as a way of ‘relaxing’ when as we know it is anything but.  What gambling does do, (like other addictions) is blot out what is going on for us.  Does your sister know about your gambling?  Could you have a talk about how difficult news could have an effect on you?  If you are feeling lonely is there someone you can call – a GA contact maybe?  What sort of treat can you give yourself that does not involve gambling, (or beer if that leads to gambling?). What would have been a treat before you spent time at casinos?  For me it was spending more time in chat rooms talking nonsense to complete strangers who later became friends.

Good that you are cutting yourself off from the means of gambling.  Having to do something extra to have money will give you time to pause and reflect about what you are going to do – time to make a phonecall maybe?  Keep strong. Share with others what is going on for you and with support you can keep gamble-free.

[jen3]

Maybe 25 years myself.. I could of comfortably  retired at 45. I am 47 now.  I will probably have to work the rest of my life and with my luck I will live till I am 95. Lol…..  Who knows what’s to come. Things can change.  One thing I know for sure…… they will never change unless we change.  We deserve better lifes And gambling does not offer us that.  I know it will not be easy but we can do this Faye. 

[jen3]

Thinking of you. I hope you are ok??

[faye2458]

Thank you Jen.  I’m ok.  Am starting a new day 3 today.  I had a slip Saturday but am not giving up!

[Steev]

Hi Faye – good to hear back from you and sorry to hear that you have had a gamble on Saturday. I think your previous gamble was also on a Saturday and I wonder if that is an issue for you?

Is there a way you could do something different on a Saturday to break the link with gambling? Maybe do something else that day, (although I think it is a working day for you?) Maybe you could book something to go to after work which will not be a trigger.

My first GA meeting was on a Saturday night in the centre of a big city and whilst others were about dressed up for bars and casinos – I was joining a group of men in a basement with only cups of tea and biscuits. But it was that, that kept me from gambling.

Wishing you well on your recovery …

[jen3]

Keep trying Faye. You are in my prayers. We can do this.

[Author]

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