[StepByStep]

Hi everyone,

As I am currently ashamed of using this site, on the other hand I feel happy that most of the people will understand me.

I will make some bulleted list of my background since I find it easier to read.

• I am 26
• I started gambling long time ago (online), sometimes used offline places
• Most of the time I was kind of disciplined about gambling (after paying all my responsibilities, I would gamble away extra money that could be used for something more useful)
• I figured out that in my best youth I havent traveled anywhere and did not fullfilled my goals on time and bunch of other stuff – reason is obvious
• Nobody knows that I am gambling
• Last time I gambled was two weeks ago
• I am ashamed to be called gambler, or ex-gamble

Goals:

• Stop having this addiction from this moment

Most of my life I had everything under control. Even if there were some troubles I would approach them logically, by educating myself, by seeking advice etc. – and the problem would be solved in short amount of time.

Somehow, I had failed with that approach when gambling comes in a way.

I did not bet huge amounts of money, but I would still lose a lot of money that could be used in something that I need. Also, I cannot regret the fact how much of valuable time I have spent on it.

My life is still under control (finished university, working on a good job, have a lot of friends etc), but as future comes, my hunger might rise up and I could end up betting larger amount of money and I could lose something more valuable than money itself.

The reason why I am writing this post is my thoughts this morning. I have free day tomorrow and somehow my brain made a thought “Hey, you have free day tomorrow, you should go to casino and bet xxx amount of money, it will be fun”.

I was really excited about that thought and I felt adrenaline rush and I couldnt wait monday.

After one hour passed, I was drinking coffee and overthinking that – “Hey, why does losing money makes you happy? You will lose valuable time by going to casino? You should spend that time fixing something in the house? You should visit a friend instead!”.

After that overthinking, I was so angry about myself for even thinking that I will be going to gamble tomorrow so right  now I am fighting with the urge to have dopamine boost produced by gambling and common sense.

I want common sense to win, and I want this to be my reminder that I could seriously endager my future if I let addiction to win.

In the past I was addicted to computer games, and during fight with that addiction, I was always telling myself “One game of dota lasts aprox. 40 minutes, you will play 4 games per night, you will lose few hours that could be invested in something else”

After few months of not playing and repeating this sentance over and over, I cured my addiction – and now (5 years later), even with free time I find them boring. Sometimes (once in few months) I will play some game with friends, but after night is finished I dont have urge to play tomorrow as I would do before. 

I want to do the same with gambling so I decide the following and I will read this over and over again whenever gambling thought comes on my mind:

• I will not gamble anymore.
• I will make no exceptions.
• I will not betray myself.
• I will not sell my future for few moments of adrenaline!

Thanks everyone for reading, and I will keep you up how things are going after some time, and how does my urge to gamble manifests after some period.

Stay strong <3

[i-did-it]

Hi step-by-step ?

Did u by any chance replace gaming addiction with gambling addiction? That can happen !

I know how ashamed gambling makes us feel and to be honest I hate being labelled too and there should be no need for labelling people in this century – most educated people and intelligent people now realise that labels are unhelpful, derogatory and limiting . I wouldn’t want to be called a gambler or ex-gambler either .

A massive well done to you for seeking help and support. You will find lots of non – judgmental support on here . If you can put barriers in place like a gambling blocker on your internet devices it will also help if you have a moment of weakness .

You are young – you have your whole life ahead of u . U will recover and never look back !

[Hawkman]

welcome to the forum…this is third day of not going to the casino for me. I am determined to not go back this time. It is not the way to make money and only causes me more stress.

[Berta24449787]

The trouble with the lists is that they are quickly forgotten whensomething else begins to fill your brain. I journal every morning in an attempt to prioritize my day and not find time for gambling, and do very well until the tingle in the brain begins – you know that tingle, when the song or the bells from your fave game play in your head. Then I forget to journal and it all starts over again. Self help is the starting point but you need to find someone to talk to and be accountable to. Keep going and then go farther. You are young and have a long life of ruin ahead if you don’t. You don’t want to end up working to support a slot machine and not a family.

[charles]

Hi Stepbystep,

Well done on looking for help here.

Well done on stopping gambling but it looks like you have replaced one addiction with another.

This time I hope you don’t “just” stop gambling but rather start recovery. Find a variety of healthier options to fill your time with. A variety will mean that you are less likely to get hooked on the next thing.

If you are now able to have a game with friends now and then great. i would however recommend not trying that with gambling. it just keeps the addiction tickignover.

If you feel shame in being a gambler/ex gambler I hope you can feel pride in addressing a tough addiction.

Keep reading, keep posting. if we could do it on our own then none of us would be here.

Hawkamm and Berta. There is some advice I can give you but I’m not going to do it here on Stepbysteps thread. I hope you scroll to the bottom of the forum and click on New topic. Your own thread will mean you can get your own feedback and support.

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