Hello Cregan 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!

Although I’m about 40 years older than you – that sounded like my story.

The first thing I realised was that I was in the grip of a powerful addiction – and I had to take it seriously. I couldn’t ban myself from places (that is more recent than me) so I moved away from my “haunts” to a new town. I made it difficult to access money and I kept myself busy. Evenings I went to GA meetings and at weekends I either worked or found courses to do that took all day. I tried to be as “compulsive” about my recovery as I was about my gambling. I had relapses but they became fewer and fewer and eventually I stopped – not sure exactly how long but I have been about 8 years free of my poison.

I was not a “bad” person – it was my behaviour that was bad – and I needed to work on things like my low self-esteem and issues from my past – anger etc.

Of course I can’t say if I will ever gamble again or not – I feel far away from it at the moment. I still keep away from all forms of gambling in case I have a lapse – but I feel that is only like a person with a strawberry allergy avoiding the fruit. Others can eat – but not me. I hope that helps. I wish you well.