Hello James 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

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Welcome.
I’m happy to read of your commitment to turn your life around.
Gambling takes so much from us, not just money. The time you lose with your family can never be replaced.
So wonderful to read that your wife is on board with you. Yes, we have to be the ones to stop, but having that support makes it a lot easier. Being accountable to someone can be a huge help.
You sound like a very determined man! I look forward to reading how your GA meeting goes, along with your counselling. Taking the first steps are so hard, and life doesn’t become magically wonderful. But geez, life is so so much better without gambling in it. To be present in the moment with your children, to not be all consumed is life changing.
Congratulations on taking the steps necessary to manage your addiction. You should be proud of yourself.
Until next time,
Kathryn xx

Hey James, reading your post and want to say well done on taking your addiction serious and putting in place a lot of things t help you deal with it in a healthy way. I found putting place financial accountability a good tool as well. For a little while I had an allowance and then went to having my account monitored and keeping ALL receipts to account for purchases. No sneaky returns etc. It was what I wanted. It made me feel safer with my recovery knowing I was accountable to someone. Not sure if it was that that helped with urges or the fact I felt so crappy about it all really. But I wanted to put as many hoses on the 4 alarm fire. I too attended GA meetings and went for addictions counseling. Couples counseling should be positive as well. I also was lucky to have close family who supported me. And they where proud of me for dealing with it. I hope you are able to let us know how things are going. Good to meet you and well done on all the measures you are taking. Laura