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Well done Beem. Thoughts will pass but the benefits of not gambling keep on giving !!

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Hi Vera
So glad to see you are back.
Keep strong my friend .
We deserve it xx

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Thanks Jen for the update .
You will find your way through this .

I had a night out at a free concert in town. It was fun and only cost the bus fare.
Tomorrow I am definitely going to buy paint ! I have talked about it for long enough. I will have a beautiful home again !!

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Yahoo Jen !
Well done !!
There was a fella like that at the GA I went to- I used to call him the controller ! Needless to say I didn’t feel like going back.
I tried SMART online which helped for a while – as I write this I realise I have tried almost everything!

Keep strong x

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Jen
Well done your gamble free time.
I guess our brain connections for gambling have been reinforced so often they are difficult to resist .
Perhaps this is where replacement activities would be useful – to build a new way of thinking .
Several sites have workbooks you can fill in and to help us think in a different way – I am currently doing one .
(Canadian and Australian sites are good for this ).

It might be worth a try.
Keep strong my friend .

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Well done superstar DJ!
Super progress .

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You know how it is Lisbeth – any small change good or bad can be a trigger for us.
The real choice here is do you want to go to sleep tonight feeling relaxed, happy, proud of your progress and looking forward to a great weekend
Or
Do you want o go to bed tonight devastated, feeling shame, bouncing dollars about your head, planning who not to pay and who to prioritise, wondering how you managed to convince yourself it was a good idea despite every experience you have ever had with gambling eventually ending up with a tremendous low ?
Try to sit out the urges Lizbeth – you have come too far !

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Hi Jen
It’s horrible when we are stuck in the cycle .
Have you tried any of these sites

https://www.verywellmind.com/usa-local-problem-gambling-hotlines-22031

I think a good counsellor might help you. Perhaps you could find a charity which sponsors counselling.
You deserve to be free from this wicked addiction.

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Hi Berta
Congratulations on turning 21.

Not easy to do but you are working hard at recovery and you are aware .
Treat yourself – you deserve it !

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It is really really hard Jen.
I think that’s a great idea about the direct debit .
You could also maybe reduce the daily withdrawal limit on your account as a damage limitation measure.

You have had a lot of free days so you know you are making progress. I guess it’s just finding that something to make those gamble free spells join up.

Keep working at it Jen – you are brave and resourceful .

A take away from the residential is that no matter how hard staying gamble free is – it is much easier than the way we have been living.
Keep strong Jen .

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Just got Gamban on my phone – I like it and it works .
I have no intention of testing to make sure it’s foolproof – I just want something to break the automatic pilot I have went through in the past.

I have had someone scratch off the last three digits on my new bank card.
This means I cannot use it for paypal either so that’s inactivated.

I am currently building layers of protection- I will be ready if the wolf calls !

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Hi Jen
I’m sorry to read this.
Can you do anything to increase your barriers ?
I have realised that during moments of weakness I cannot do it on will power alone… and I guess everyone of us has those .

Have you tried the SMART online groups ? Sorry if I’m throwing lots of stuff at you – I am so willing you to be free of this horrible addiction.

Did you gamble in a casino ? Can you self ban? Throw everything at it Jen – take every precaution you think you need and then some more .
You can do this !
X

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Thank you Kin.

a much appreciated post .

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Hi jay – Perhaps u would like to tell us a little about yourself ?

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Hi Jen ,
Just replying to your post on my thread.
It is very early days yet but here is where I am at today with regards to the residential programme.
It is the first time I have ever been able to speak openly about my gambling. I was able to speak openly with others who had the same struggles and who understood it . We laughed a lot at the crazy things we did in common. The intensity of the programme meant we switched off completely from actual gambling.

Today (can’t speak for the future ) I feel a freedom I have not had in a decade. I feel a sense of relaxation which is having a knock on effect on all around me. Family are choosing to sit and chat instead of hiding in their rooms.
I would recommend residential to anyone who is fed up of the roller coaster and the constant brain battles. I’m not sure how it has worked but somehow it has – I just need to make sure I take steps to maintain my recovery.
I fully intend to continue to use the tools I have learned and I am not going to consider that I will do anything other than continue in recovery.
If you have any other questions please ask .

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