Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Micky,
Just also be aware of when that Debt Management Plan is finished.
Clearing debts, positive, extra available cash also positive but also can be a trigger/temptation. Put plans in place for that extra money.
Keep posting
Hi Micky,
Well done on coming here and being honest.
What can you learn from what happened?
You drank too much and then gambled? A couple of lessons there really. We are all more vulnerable when under the influence so it’s important to plan evenings out. I remember ,when I first stopped, if I was going to the pub I would only carry the money I needed to cover my drinks. It was a simple thing but a good deterrent, if I gambled it would have an immediate consequence and mess my night up, I wouldnt be able to afford my drinks/meal etc. I left my debit cars etc at home, I didn’t carry and “just in case” money, that would ahve allowed me to gamble. If you “drank too much” and still had access to money with which to gamble at that point then you can reduce that access.
Well done on getting in touch wiith the Samaritans, there is a lot of support out there and it’s important to use it.
Keep posting.
Hi Pete,
Well done on looking for help.
That conversation with your parents is important. It’s always going to be a difficulat conversation but what can amke it easier is not just to presnt the problem to them. Now you can also show them what youa re going to DO to deal with the situation.
You can show them this site, you can get a blocker for yoru PC so you can’t gamble on line, I expect your parents would be delighted to set any password for you.
When i stopped gambling there was no reason at all for my family to believe a word i said. They took notice of my actions thouhg.
Keep posting and let us know what positive actiosn you are taking.
Hi again Claudiu,
Well done on closing your online accounts.
Can you talk to your friends who gamble? Your colleagues at work?
Up to you how much you tell them of course but it’s important to tell them that you ahve decided to stop gambling yourself.
If they talk to you about gambling then it usually only takes a few “I’m not interested any more” for them to find a different topic to discuss with you.
I’d recommend against doing those pretend betting coupons. “….what if my selections are right?”
I think you know the answer to that, it would make things very difficult for you. To even make those slips out you must be looking at the races/sports, studying the form, looking at odds and then of course checking the results and working out how much you would have won/lost. It’s just teasing the addiction.If you can piucture the addictiion as a monster asleep in the corner, every time we look at odds, go into bookies etc we are poking that monster with a stick. Keep doing it and the monster is likely to wake up and bite our a**!
ry and find some non gambling related activities to fill your time and thoughts.
Again, well done on closing your accounts, have you asked them to ban you? That will stop any temptation to re-open them.
Keep posting.
Hi Courage and welcome.
A very apt name for anyone who has the courage to tackle a tough addiction.
Well doen on your 16 days gamble free. How have you been spending that gamble free time?
I am sure you will be reading teh other stories here – what positive steps have you read about that you can apply to your own situation.
We can all be as anonymous as we like here – my name is Charles, you will still never find me! 😉
Keep posting.
Hi Mick,
It was good to meet you in the group, well done on looking for help.
You have already had some good sugestions here, and in the group. Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are taking. I strongly suggest you take some of those steps before pay day – I know from experieice that when i got paid then the urges were strongest.
Keep posting.
Hi Claudiu,
Well done on looking for help. I expect you will have been reading a lot of stories here similar to your own. You will also be reading some success stories – what are they doing that you could apply to your own situation?
What barriers can you put in place? A blocker to stop online gambling? Putting your money in a n account that doesnt have instant access? You gamble when you go to the shops? You are actually deciding to give yourself the opportunity to do that before you leave your house – just carry the money you need for whatever you are plannign to buy. Yes you might still gamble of course but it would have the immediate consequence of you not being able to shop.
Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are taking.
Bump
Hi Micky,
Well done on your gamble free time and on nearly clearing your debts.
Awareness is key with this addiction so be aware that clearing debts, whilst great, can also be a dangerous time for a complusuve gambler. More avaialble funds, one less reminder of why we had to stop in the first place.
Use that awareness, one day at a time can achieve great things.
Hi Steve, As you feel gambling at home is a big problem at the moment then try and get a blocker on your PC. talk to your telephone service provided to block those sites. You can do this.
Hi Steph,
How about telling your sister in law that you have decided to stop gambling? That way she won’t expect you to accompany her in the future.
Getting yourself banned from that casino would be a nother good idea.
Kpat,
A few thoughts…..
A 6 hour round trip to get yourself banned? A long way for sure but that will save the 30 hours driving that just a further 5 trips to the casino would take.
You don’t want to go to GA on your own? Have you/would you ever go gambling on your own?
It sounds like your sister would help? Go with you as moral support when you get banned? Help you with accountability?
What did I do in my early days?
Lots of little thigns for sure. Going to GA helped; for me there was nothing like looking into the eyes of another Cg who wasn’t gambling to give me hope. I made myself accountable, had bank statements etc sent to a family member I trusted so that i couldnt gamble secretly. I filled my time and made plans for days off work especially.Lots of things really but if I had to put it in one short sentence – I did things I really didn’t want to do. Those are the things that will usually help us stop gambling
Would some of the things you don’t want to do help you stop?
Hi again Kpat,
You ask a good question.
“So how do you stay quit? I can go about 2months, then it seems to overwhelm me.”
The pain fades and the urges return. That’s where the time since our last bet isn’t as important as what we have done in that time.
Two months from now can you be banned from where ever it is you gamble? Can you be getting to GA meetings? Can you still be posting here to maintain your recovery?
Hi Kathryn,
Good to hear from you.
Using support will help you gain the strength you are looking for, keep posting.