Well done on coming here so quickly SJ. Get to your other support too of course, start doing that talking.

of those relapses where not much financial damage is done, sometimes hardly any – but you feel crap because you are at it again and feeling all that pain you had when gambling was your life.

I had to learn from my “slips.” What were the warning signs – the trigger to the relapse. Then act before the urge becomes reality. Talk to someone – a counsellor, GA contact, a loved one. Admit to being weak in the face of gambling urges and redouble your barriers if you can.

Once the feelings have subsided – look if there is something practical you can do to stop them from resurfacing. Mine was as simple and changing my daily walk, which was often in the city – to one in the countryside. No adverts, no betting shops (not that I used them but they were a gambling reminder) less stress.

Try and focus on someone or something other than myself. I have written elsewhere today about the benefits of voluntary work – but it might just be treating a friend to something (just time if you have no money) as long as it doesn’t involve gambling of course.

I hope to see you back in chat again. Take care.