Welcome to the site, its really useful, its really can be a life line some days when struggling with addiction. its good when people reply and i remember when i was new here too. Although i have been here many years i am only a few months into my recovery again, it has been a long learning process for me, dotted with relapses here and there but overall my life has improved a great deal and improved in many areas of life. Try to go on the helpline here if you need to chat too as the advisors are good at helping you sort things out sometimes. The groups are good too if you can find a time that suits. We can leave those pokies in the past Meg, it takes some work. You can look at banning from venues depending on where you are it can be easier than others, states have differing laws. Carry little money on you as possible and just keep in contact with other people who really want recovery. Don’t tempt yourself by going near places that have pokies. Check out Gamblers anonymous meetings, there is counselling, rehabs, meetings, and this wonderful site… There is help available and if you really really want it , it can be achievable to stop gambling. I find making recovery my number one priority is the thing that helps me most. I want it so so badly so i work very hard at it now as i never want to go back to that devastation but its taken me a long time to get to this point. Some people can come here and never gamble again, do what works for you and find what helps prevent you going again the most. Fill your life with new things and life will begin to blossom.
P