Jonny, I mentioned I had more experience with gambling than you because I’ve done it for approximately 15 years longer than you that’s all. In that extra 15 years gambling time I had tried to stop too many times to recall. I do not for one minute think that qualifies me as any sort of expert whatsoever. In the 35 years I gambled I’ve either done or witnessed almost every trick in the book pulled to get gambling money. Like everybody else I’ve done the stupidest things to raise funds. There’s people who post on this site that have gambled even longer than me so I would say they have had more experience with it than I do. None of us are experts.
No I didn’t say that to put myself on a pedestal, what a stunning accolade that would be, “king of the feck ups”. I don’t say that to be disrespectful to anybody using this site or any other CG. We all have the same thing, call it illness, call disease call it addiction call it what you like. It doesn’t matter the lengths you will go to in order to gamble, it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve spent. Either in total, in a single session, or in a single bet. What matters is to stop this madness for each and every one of us.
I say “king of the feck ups” not meaning every CG, but those of us who claim to be at our wits end and desperate to quit, and willing to do everything we can to cut it out of our lives then as soon as the numbness wears off, we’re back at it. However its addressed, “slip” “relapse” “binge” it amounts to the same thing we’ve f’cked it up again. Being a CG is not an excuse for it, it is a reason we should not be doing it.The vast majority on this site have f’cked up at some stage or other and when we do it consistently there shouldn’t be any soft soap approach we are another f’ck up. No pedestal for me thanks.
I’ve been cock sure that many times I was doing it right and when I see danger in what people are doing I usually do post about it. My recovery is my life. I know I cant do anybody elses recovery for them I do try and give my thoughts and opinions if I think it will help. I do not ever want to put myself on a pedestal I cant lead the way for anyone but myself.
I have 15 years more experience than you of gambling, and of f’kin it up that’s all.
I do agree though I think we could have a great debate face to face, the written word and sentiment behind it is quite easily misconstrued.