- This topic has 24 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 8 months ago by g.man.
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28 February 2015 at 12:40 pm #29510g.manParticipant
Hi guys! This is my first post on this site. I am at the start of my journey to leading a gambling free life (I hope!). Ive had a constant battle against online slots for the past 10 years. My inability to resist the urge to gamble has caused me no end of financial and emotional problems. I am determined to beat this horrible addiction. I dont really know how i am going to beat it and why this time will be any different from the endless numbes of ‘day one’ ive had before. But thats why im here to see if this site will help me break to cycle. id appreciate any help or info that anyone has that will help me along this journey and maybe i can help someone else to beat their addiction too. take it easy. G
Moved to My Journal by Harry 02/03
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1 March 2015 at 1:28 pm #29511butchuglyParticipant
just trying to get my head around all this. I have tried for 3yrs maybe more. This is the first time I have spoke to other gambling addicts.today will be my first day w/o gambling. I am determined for today. From what I can gather on here. its one day at a time.
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1 March 2015 at 7:04 pm #29512g.manParticipant
Well first of all i must say well done for making this day one! Im now into day 2 and feel like im actually makimg progress for once!
yes it does seem like its one day at a time, i think thats the only way.. ive tried to stop before, but always give in. This time im determined not too!!
It wrecks your life doesnt it?!?
Keep strong and im sure we can beat it..!
G -
2 March 2015 at 9:21 am #29513DuncKeymaster
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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 youre currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if youre 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. Were 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 youre 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.
And on that note….
Im going to hand you over to our community because Im 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!
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2 March 2015 at 10:13 pm #29514g.manParticipant
hi harry, thanks for your reply and for moving my post to the correct place!
3 days in and still going strong. Hope i can keep it up.. its usually the weekend when it gets difficult.
G -
3 March 2015 at 5:49 pm #29515moniqueParticipant
It’s good to read your posts here. I think it is great that you write about being really determined this time to change your life. That determination in your own mind and heart is vital and is what can get you going on this new journey.
Try to stay ‘active’ in your own mind – I mean, keep that determination active and alive all the time. When it is being challenged by the addiction, which will call you back and say it’s ok to gamble this time, resist with all your strength -being part of this community online is one of the resources that will reinforce your resolve and give you practical suggestions and ideas, when you are struggling. Maybe write about the struggles as they arrive, so that people can reply very specifically and practically.
Best wishes,Monique
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3 March 2015 at 6:24 pm #29516g.manParticipant
Hi monique, thanks for the kind words..
im still doing well at the minute.. ive had a few niggling doubts over the last hour or 2 but managed to convince myself that i am doing the right thing and that i am going to change my life!
its great to know that there are people who understand and i really believe that this site will truly help me!
4 days and going strong!
G -
6 March 2015 at 2:35 pm #29517g.manParticipant
Hi guys
today is my 7th day of my new gambling free life. To be honest it has been easier than i thought it would be… but today is friday.. my main day/night for gambling.. i haven’t got any urges as such, but there is something ticking away in the back of my head.. its such a horrible addiction.. it lies there dormant in my head and then just grabs me when i least expect it..
keep your fingers crossed for me that i get through the weekend.
G -
6 March 2015 at 4:46 pm #29518butchuglyParticipant
Make sure you occupy yourself today and tonight then. Make sure you have something in place.
I have been off work today. I went shopping instead. I spent a lot but spent far less than I would have gambling and now I actually have something to show for my money. It’s brilliant being gamble free for 5 days. I just hope I don’t develop a shopping addiction from it. Regardless, it seems far better to have material things than pressing my enter button on my key board a 1000 times and losing loads of money. Because for me…. I always lose, never manage to cash out.
Best of luck and keep us postef -
6 March 2015 at 4:58 pm #29519g.manParticipant
Thanks butch!
Yes i definately know what you mean by pressing the enter button a 1000 times! I always lose too.. i was once 10k up and just increased my spins to £100 and smashed the lot in seconds! Unthinkable really.. but hey.. thats all in the past now.. no point dwelling on it.
its great that you spent your money on shopping for a change!! I bet that feels good..?!?!
Well so far since ive finished work.. ive cleaned the house (to give my girlfriend a suprise for when she gets home!!), also ive cleaned out and washed my car.. its amazing how different actually doing something makes u feel isnt it?!
Normally im zoned into the horrible money robbing websites by now..
keep strong my friend..!
G -
6 March 2015 at 9:36 pm #29520g.manParticipant
Its friday night.. my ‘main’ night for gambling and ive still not give in to temptation..
in fact there has been no temptation like there normally is.. i really think joining this forum has really helped me.. just the fact that i can share my journey with like minded people makes so much difference..
ive kept busy all afternoon and all evening and im feeling really positive.. which is something new for me…
im normally lost in that virtual world of self destruction!
Will report back tomorrow.
keep the faith guys
G -
6 March 2015 at 10:10 pm #29521moniqueParticipant
I’m so glad that using this Forum is helping you. Have a happy, gambling-free weekend, filled with things that give you contentment and positive feelings.
Monique
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6 March 2015 at 10:29 pm #29522g.manParticipant
Hi monique, thank you for your support.
i certainly intend on doing just that..! -
7 March 2015 at 4:03 am #29523FritzParticipant
Sure glad to read your thread and hear how things are going. I am sure you have read a few other journals by now. When I first found this site, I read a lot and really learned a lot of good things from others in the same boat as me. Geordie recommended a book called the EasyWay to Stop Gambling by Allen Carr. I highly recommend it as it has changed my perceptions and has helped me a lot to reinforce my commitment to live a gamble free life from here forward.
Also I believe it is absolutely essential to block all gambling sites on your computer and self ban from casinos as soon as you possibly can. This will help you get through the first days/weeks/months when urges can come on especially strongly. Since you won’t have immediate access when the urge comes, you will have the time to let the urge pass without acting on it, and then refocus on something or someone else. Make it as difficult as possible to relapse by putting up all necessary barriers.
You are doing great so far! Life has so much goodness in store for us as non-gamblers!
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7 March 2015 at 11:42 am #29524g.manParticipant
Where can i get the book from? Its sounds like a perfect tool.
Im not really one for land based casino’s, although i have self excluded from the ones in my town! Online slots where my vice.. moblie phones are a pain ha ha!
Its true that this site is a massive help, its like a safe haven away from the horrible world of gambling. I feel much better already after joining. Today is day 8 and im loving the feeling of being free from gambling. Long may it continue.
thank you for taking the time to write on my journel. It means a lot having the support of likeminded people like yourself.
have a wonderful gambling free day!
G -
7 March 2015 at 3:44 pm #29525FritzParticipant
Hi g.man,
You should be able to find this book at your library, or one of the major online book retailers. If you can install an app or program on your computer to block internet gambling sites, that would be a great tool in your recovery. I’ve heard there are a number of good ones out there for free or low cost. An internet search would yield several great choices I’m sure. Cheers! -
7 March 2015 at 7:39 pm #29526g.manParticipant
Thanks for the info fritz. I will look into that.
day 8 is still going well.. i hope it continues to do so!
Do u think the addiction can ever be beaten or do you think it will always be there deep inside the mind? -
7 March 2015 at 8:15 pm #29527charlster2Participant
Great to read that you’re still gambling free on day 8.
You’ve done brilliantly to get through Friday, which historically has been your main gambling night.
One thing I have learned on here this past week is to not think too far ahead. Concentrate on resisting the urges here and now, take one step at a time or one day at a time. We can overload by worrying about tomorrow or even beyond that.
Like you, I’m still looking for answers and trying to fully educate myself on this addiction, but from reading posts on here, there’s absolutely no doubt that we can control this addiction. Speaking personally, I think I will always be a compulsive gambler or have the potential to be compulsive gambler and I think if I maintain that mind set, it will help prevent me from being complacent.
Keep it going Gee and take care.
Charlster.
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7 March 2015 at 9:12 pm #29528g.manParticipant
thank you for your post.. some great advice in there!
I agree that it has got to be one step/day at a time. I think the overload on worrying must be conected to the part of the brain which makes us lose control on the gambling..!?! I would love to be able to just switch off from time to time, but it is a constant challenge that we face to justify our actions.. im so tired of the cycle of thinking im in control, to being totally zoned out in the trance like state we get in through gambling.
i know deep down that i want to be free from those feelings, but its such a challenge to allow my mind to be free. Im sure you know what i mean.
Likewise, i believe that we can control this addiction. This site definately is helping. i cant believe its took me this long to find it.!
Take it easy and keep believing!
G -
8 March 2015 at 10:20 am #29529g.manParticipant
Well ive managed to get through the weekend without even going near any form of gambling!
This is my longest gambling free period of 2015 and long may it continue!!
Take it easy guys
G -
8 March 2015 at 2:46 pm #29530I_MaverickParticipant
Well done G.Man, good work. Just what I needed, good news. I have just driven down from my brothers huse in Derby and all the way down I have been having gambliong thoughts. But as my computer has a blocker, it would mean me getting very creative on how to do it. Thank god for the blocker, because otherwise I would probably convince myself to have a small bet – then another ad inifitum.
Kepe posting, I am on Day 6, though I know it is not a race. Every counter of the clock upwards means a lot. Resetting is disaterous.
Best
M
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8 March 2015 at 5:56 pm #29531g.manParticipant
Well done on reaching day 6 and thank god for the blocker.. i do find my mind wondering along, but we have got to stay strong. we can beat this, im sure of it..
spot on about the small bet too… we all know what happens after that..!!??!!
Ive found a cool little aid in my recovery.. on my phones calender (its a samsung btw) ive discovered that i can add little symbols on the days on the planner.. so ive added a smiley face for each gamblimg free day.. its amazing what that little reminder does for your confidence.. ive got a row of 9 smiley faces now.. try it.. simple but so effective!!
Im here with you maverick.
take care
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9 March 2015 at 5:57 pm #29532g.manParticipant
Hi guys.
day 10 today..!! Got through the weekend with no near misses!!
still feeling positive about my new outlook on life.. flat broke until payday but not letting it get to me. being gambling free ia really helping me to focus on life better..
i even cut the grass today.. a task that i wouldnt normally have the energy to do ha ha.
keep strong
G -
9 March 2015 at 7:03 pm #29533charlster2Participant
That’s great news G.
The whole tone of your post just exudes positivity. I have found that by just doing the simple things has brought a degree of normality back into my life this past week or so. I suppose simply cutting the grass has had a similar effect on you.
It’s was uplifting reading your post so keep the positivity going.
Take care,
Charlster.
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10 March 2015 at 5:23 pm #29534g.manParticipant
it was uplifting to read your kind response!
Day 11 today.. still feelimg great and full of positive energy!
One the online casino’s i banned myself from email some marketing info today.. i responded with a rather snotty email to them.. that made me feel good ha ha.
hope i can keep this good feeling going!
G
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