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Thanks for the update Fritz, it is always good to hear the success stories. Well done on your gamble free time
You aren’t a fool, you are an addict.
As an addict it doesn’t matter how skilled we are, what sort of “system” we have, the addiction will always win in the end.
So the answer is NO, it is not possible for a Compulsive Gambler to return to “normal” gambling. Not possible to stick with a system or any plan really, as you found. If we were able to show the “control” you talk about then we wouldn’t be in the chit in the first place.
You managed to stay gamble free for 5 months and found happiness. You did it then, you can do it again. This time though put barriers in place so that if in 5 months time you get tempted again you will be unable to access your money as easily as you did this time.
Keep posting here as well – if we need help to stop then it is important to keep using support to help maintain recovery.
Keep posting and let us know the positive steps that youa re taking and the thigns you are doing to fill your gamble free time.
I am glad that you are enjoying your vacation SJ. It’s good to see the benefits of not gambling.
Hi JT, welcome to the forum and well done on looking for help.
Read the other stories here, you will see a lot that you will relate to. You will also read the success stories – what are they doing that you can apply to your own situation?
You will see how barriers can help, particularly in the early days. I don’t know the gambling regulations in the Phillipines, is it possible to get yourself excluded from the casino you usually go to?
Financial barriers help as well. You have mentioned family, I am sure your wife will be delighted to help, make yourself accountable. Removing that easy, instant, unaccountabel access to funds makes it harder to place our next bet. Just carry the money you need on a daily basis.
I see that there are also Gamblers Anonymous meetings in the Phillipines, getting to a meeting would be another good form of support.
Keep posting, let us know the positive steps that you are taking.
Hi Dan, I certainly don’t mind you asking.
Hopefully I will continue not gambling, one day at a time.
I will always be a Compulsive Gambler though, choosing not to gamble. I can’t remember the last time I had a serious urge though.
Time since our last bet does make things easier. the important thing isn’t the time though, it’s what we DO in that time – find otehr interests, work on character traits and self improvement, recovery as opposed to “just” abstinence.
I was an a**hole who gambled – if all I did was stop gambling then I would just be an an a**hole!
If I ever do place another bet it won’t be because I am a Compulsive gambler; it would be because I will have stopped doing the things I know work, like getting to my GA meetings, and/or done things I know are dangerous, like looking at odds, watching horse racing etc.
Keep posting.
Hi Jen, well done on looking for help.
You have been reading the other stories here so you know you aren’t alone with this problem. You will aslo have seen the success stories. Well done on self excluding and getting that blocking software. What other things have you read, that you can apply to your own situation?
Does your Mum know about your gambling? or that is is a problem? She could help with other barriers, accountability.
Do you gamble anywhere else? Or just online? Stopping the £20 – £300 a month is important. Stopping any gambling is important, even small bets just keep the addiction ticking over.
Filling your gamble free time is important as well, your studies will help with that of course but find other things as well.
well done on not blaming it on shit! Shit will happen sometimes of course but we can deal with it without gambling.
Keep reading, keep posting. You will achieve your hopes and dreams and I look forward to reading about it.
Maybe see you in one of the support groups here soon as well.
Hi Dan.
I would forget about what your “future self” may or may not do. Whether they will read this before or after betting etc. Focus on what your current self can do NOW.
You go months without gambling? Great. There are things you can put in place now that will make you less likely to gamble in a few months, less able to gamble. What barriers can you put in place? What restrictions can you put on your access to funds? What support can you use?
The thing is, if you don’t put things in place now, while you are hurting and don’t want to gamble, then therre will be nothing to stop you gambling again in a few months when the pain has faded and the urges return.
It will also help you if in a few months you are still posting here regularly, if you need help to stop then it is important to keep using support to maintain your recovery.
You refer to your current self as an asshole? Well I’m not going to argue with you, I was one of those as well! The thing is though, if you don’t start working on things NOW wont “future self” be that same asshole?
Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are taking, now.
Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums
Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!
Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.
As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)
And on that note….
I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!
Hi Sherlocked,
Well done on looking for help.
I would advice against watching your boyfriend play. Sooner or later you will be watching him win/have luck etc and you are just teasing the addiction. Would he agree to not gamble when you are there? Better yet if he stopped gambling at home you could then install a blocker so that you can’t be tempted at all to gamble online.
Why are you expecting the week mark will be hard? Is it payday? Or a usual gambling day? Whatever reason use your awareness/knowledge that it will be a vulnerable time for you. Have extra barriers in place, have plans to fill your time and thoughts with non gambling activities.
keep posting.
Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums
Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!
Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.
As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)
And on that note….
I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!
Hi 3raser,
Well done on not getting drawn in by that group bet.
What did you say to them? Whilst it is up to you whether you ever tell anyone at work about your problem it is important to tell them that you have decided to stop gambling. Insert reason of choice. I can remember I just told everyone I had stopped coz i was fed up with losing.
It is important though as if you just give them a “not this week” then they will ask again next week, the week after etc
No one where I work knows I have a gambling problem. Everyone there knows I never get involved in syndicates, lottery, raffle tickets or anything. A few “I don’t gambles/I’m not interesteds” and they stopped asking.
Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums
Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!
Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.
As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)
And on that note….
I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!
Hi ungambled.
If you want to share your story of success then maybe do so here. Share your own story though and say what has worked for you, not every compulsive gambler suffers from clinical depression. There is no pill to cure addiction, unfortunately.
What other things helped you? What barriers did you put in place? What support did you use?
There is an old saying – united we stand, divided we fall. I hope you share your story here united with other compulsive gamblers doing the same.
Thanks Vera, blocked and deleted
Hi Joe, well done on looking for help.
Amounts are all relative really and not relevant to the addiction. other than it’s generally the finances which bring us to the point of seeking help.
You need to tell your parents. The important thing though is to not just tell them about the problem, tell them what you are going to do to address the problem.
I don’t just mean about how you will work the summer to pay them back, I mean what you are going to do to address your gambling addiction.
You have stopped before and gone back to it – what can you do differently this time? It is important not to try and do this on our own. there is a lot of support around these days – here and other sites, places like Gamblers Anonymous, counselling and more.
What barriers and accountability can you put in to make placing your next bet more difficult?
If you don’t find the games interesting without betting on them then don’t watch them. What else can you do to fill your gamble free time?
Maybe show your parents this site as well – they will find the Friends and Family Forum useful.
Keep posting and let us know what positive actions you are going to take.
