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!

Autobiography of a compulsive gambler in 5 short chapters

Chapter 1

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost, I am hopeless, It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk/ I pretend I dun see it, I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But I believe it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there, I still fall in, it‘s a habit. I know where I am. It is my fault, I get out immediately

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street, There is a deep hole in the sidewalk, I walk around it

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

The Parable Of The Rope

The story was about a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain.

He began his adventure after many years of preparation, but since he wanted the glory just for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountains, and the man could not see anything. All was black. Zero visibility, and the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, only a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at a great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked by gravity. He kept falling.

… and in those moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good and bad episodes of his life. He was thinking now about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden, he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard.

His body was hanging in the air. Only the rope was holding him, and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice but scream, “HELP ME GOD!!”

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered, “What do you want Me to do?”

“Save me God!!”

“Do you really think I can save you?”

“Of course I believe You can.”

“Then cut the rope tied to your waist.”

There was a moment of silence and the man decided to hold on to the rope with all his strength.

The bext day, a rescue team found the climber dead and frozen, his body hanging from a rope – His hands holding tight to the rope only 10 feet away from the ground.

When are you going to cut off gambling?

Hello Random,

It was nice reading your story because you and me are very similiar in our gambling addiction. It wasnt nice to know of your hardship but it is nice for us both to know we are not alone. I can very easily quit sports gambling when i have exhausted all my financial options but as soon as i get extra money im right back at it. I have managed to stay away from gambling for 26 days now and to be honest, i got paid today and i could easily make a few bets but deep down i know thats not what i want because i know how it will end up. Just like you, if i bet i wont stop until its all gone and quite frankly, im TIRED of THAT same old cycle. I have a family and people that are counting on me yet i always let them down because of my selfish gambling; well, that wont happen today.
This is a tough addiction but we can beat it one day at a time. I see a lot of people talking about giving up gambling for a year to get their finances right but it cant be like that. We must give up gambling for life but that seems impossible when we look at it that way. Which is exactly why we must take our quit one day at a time.
You can do this brother. We are here to help. Just give everything you have to stay quit today, and worry about tomorrow when it comes.
Thanks for sharing your story.

Craig

One day at a time! From my experience, this site has helped me the most. Find something that’s works for your recovery, GA meetings, counseling, the groups that are offered here. We can’t do it alone. Stay strong. Keep posting!

Just wanted to welcome you.
That gambling hangover is horrendous!
Maybe its now time to put some barriers up to prevent it from happening again, and doing it while you are feeling low is the best time.
Is there anyone you can tell? I know it seems scary, but this addiction is progressive, and the sooner you start taking the steps necessary the better.
Its a hard thing to admit we have an addiction. Coming here is a wonderful step for you, so well done.
I hope you use the advice given, you can have a gamble free life.
Love K xxx