Hi Pea,
Thanks for your kind comments! You will get there! I just found there are some important steps to take.
1. Accept your losses – enough is enough – the only way to win is keep hold of your cash
2. Blockers blockers blockers
3. Hate the gambling industry. See the bigger picture years down the line and imagine where you can end up! I hate gambling, I get a similar rush out of doing my daily life. I’ve got realistic goals and no longer look at gambling as a quick fix! Gambling sets you back, not moves you on and is a complex state of emotion which is not natural for any of us.
4. Reward yourself! Instead of pining over what lost money could have bought, I treat myself with items that wouldn’t be afforded had I continued gambling. And over halved my debt in 7 months and one week. Nothing can replace that amazing feeling!
I think we are all capable of change. Determination and honesty are two factors for me! I last gambled before being in my current relationship. I told my new partner about my rock bottom night and the gambling. She supported me and it has never been mentioned since. Aside from a casino boat cruse we went on where I didn’t gamble a penny! She totally understood why and commented how against gambling k am now! Another reason not to gamble! I’m not the lying or cheating type so couldn’t spend my time running around behind her back and covering my tracks! But even without her, I wouldn’t have done it again. I dunno, it’s hard to put into words how I feel about gambling. It’s not a temptation any more. I’ve always been ridiculously against drugs (never judge anyone obviously, each to their own) and I think I have dropped gambling into that category now. I guess it is a drug, dopamine?
You’ll get there Pea! Nothing wrong with a relapse as long as you learn and tighten to blocks. I did hit my rock bottom which is nothing like other people’s rock bottom I suppose. But each to their own situation and I nipped it in the bud before it sucked all of my funds. I could be sitting here £75k in debt, not £6k. There’s the bigger picture!
Stay strong….apologies for a bit of a ramble!