Hi Falling, nice to meet you. When I wake up each morning I usually sit for a spell and ponder all things big and small, as I did this morning, and thought of how blessed I am that my blocking software on my phone decided to update. It has now blocked all access to gambling sites so no more temptation while I am home. My home feels different to me now. I thought of you and the temptation you face and when you go to pubs and thought ” well, just dont go to the pubs then”. I’m not sure how close they are to your work or home, so I am not making light of this, but using my phone as an example, if you are not faced with them, it is just so much easier. I do not have anything resembling a casino near me. There is a gaming house about 40 minutes away or a really big casino even farther that requires me to travel at least 90 minutes one way. In the time it takes to go to either I have the chance to change my mind ( which has never happened because I am usually so pumped about going I can hardly contain myself) so the only answer for me is to not have the time to go. I took a second job to help with finances and to keep me busy on the days off that I had from my full time job. It limits the amount of free time I have so that I cant go and even if I can go, I have self excluded from both of them years ago. I do think about going but will not entertain the idea for long because I would have to call in sick to one of my jobs to do so and miss a days pay, and I try to revive the awful feeling that I have when I leave. The desperation that I feel when I have lost it all. The horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach when I cant play anymore because all of my money is gone and the desperate feeling as i think about trying to get more. It’s like drugs. I dont want that anymore. If you try to revive the feelings at the end of your gambling instead of the excitement at the beginning before you enter then maybe you wont go at all. This is the first time in a long time that I am celebrating double digits gamble free and it is only because I cannot physically do it anymore. Give yourself the chance to get some time under your belt by not being able to physically gamble. No pub, no chance. Stay strong.
