After reading that a lot of people on this forum have found this book helpful I downloaded it last week. I havn’t read it all yet but it is interesting and gives what appears to be a whole new approach to giving up gambling for good
I agree with what it says; that it isn’t hard to give up gambling but only if we can rid ourselves of the desire to, (And have said so many times on this forum over the years). I know from personal experience the freedom that can be enjoyed living a life without gambling, not just at the present time but during previous periods of recovery. Not through abstinence though that is a lot harder to live through, I do admire anyone who manages to abstain from gambling for a day or even a year, but to constantly and frequently battle with urges isn’t really recovery in my opinion.
What has been my downfall in the past without any doubts has been complacency, maybe not continuing with the ongoing support as much, or not being so open with my thoughts.
Today I’m as committed as I’ve ever been but I know only too well how quickly things can change, if I got complacent again.
There’s only two things certain in life; we are born and we’ll die. What happens in between is down to each individual, some believe is down to God or some higher power.
But whatever it is that controls our destiny I do know one thing and that is that Nobody needs to gamble. The bottom line is, in my opinion, people whether CG or not, gamble because they want to, we might convince ourselves that we dont want to and just end up doing it, but personally I think that we just tell ourselves this crap to excuse it.
I also think if any of us were any good at it why do we “need” to take ever increasing wads of money. Surely if we were good gamblers £1 or one dollar would be enough.
I’m pleased that I am getting on fine without the desire to gamble, and wish those of you who do still want to and battle urges could rid yourself of the desire.
I’m quite sure I don’t get urges now because I talk to people, actual conversations, and I don’t bottle anything up. I know this dosnt work for every one and that some find it too difficult. (It is at first but not as difficult as admitting you’ve spent the rent, stolen all the savings, and gambled away the housekeeping….again. Well actually thats not too difficult is it well it wasnt for me it was easy when I was at my worst, maybe difficult for family to listen to, but as a reckless gambler what did I care)?…..The thing is, if you do find it too difficult to open up to people please try and read this book, (The Easy Way To Give Up Gambling). It just might help you see things differently.
Geordie.