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Ps I do video counselling which is very convenient and private .

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Kolberg
I cannot believe I am giving you this advice but I have never seen the point of counselling – until
This past two weeks as I have actually had a few sessions .
I think we mask a lot of issues (they don’t have to be huge issues) with gambling and when we stop we are forced to face relationships etc.
Perhaps counselling would be useful for you right now so you have a release for the things which gambling was masking .
Think about it .

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Hi I am replying to the question about NAC.
Yes I have tried it. It was strange – I would have a thought about gambling but it would go nowhere – it was like that pathway was blocked – like I had been logged out of that screen.
I found it very difficult to take after the first week or so – it gave me a strange and horrible feeling in my abdomen which worried me but not everyone suffers these side effects .

I have no medical training so I cannot advise whether someone should take it- I just bought it in one of those health shops and took it – it also was good to stop me day dreaming instead of taking action.
I would be careful of mixing it with prescription meds.
Bottom line is it works and often I have been glad of it to break the really crazy cycles of destruction.
Hope this helps .

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Hi Jen
Thank you for you post- it seems a lot of us have the same thought patterns.
I have had two Counseling sessions now and it has just occurred to me that my daily “bingo” battle has not happened for days. I don’t seem to have the same urges to gamble at all.
This feels so much better than the many hours I have wasted trying to get around the many barriers I set up.

While I don’t have the overwhelming urges to gamble I still think a lot about the big “windfall”. It is less likely to be a casino win but I still fantasise that money might come from somewhere. In truth if I could hold on to the money I earn I would have no need for any kind of windfall.

I hoped the residential would be life-changing but I can feel the changes already.

For too long I have used barriers as bandage to cover a wound which would not heal. I am ready to heal that wound.

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Hi Stephen
Well done on seeking support with your addiction.
It is so hard to quit gambling once we become addicted . I have read much about Parkinson’s medication and how it can cause compulsive gambling. It must make it hugely more difficult to stop. Yet you clearly want to stop and have your old life back.

I too use the pause button on online casinos when I can’t quite bring myself to stop but know I can’t control myself not to run out of money. I guess many of us follow the same thought patterns .

I’m not sure if you can take this but there is actually a supplement which is proven to help with urges to gamble – it is called NAC- perhaps you could ask your doctor if you could take it with your other drugs.

Stephen , our tendency is to deprive ourselves when we have lost money but I think you should perhaps consider going back to the things you loved and leave saving until later on. Once you have your old life back you will be more motivated not to gamble .

Lastly i cannot I understand why your doctors would not take a serious view of a well documented side effect of current medication .
I think maybe you should research until you find a doctor who is prepared to give you the help you need .

Hope this helps – remember you are not alone and you can get past this .

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Hi Henno
It occurs to me that we are approaching another Christmas and I was wondering how things are going for you .
Be good to see you in chat or read a post from you.

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Hi Kolberg
There appears to be a lot of positive change in your life.
Many people experience a period of withdrawal after giving up gambling – this may be what you are experiencing.
Be kind to yourself .

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Well done Taz- keep strong .

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Well done on your 10 days Iwon

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Well done Superstar
Life is so much better when we don’t gamble.
Stay strong

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Hi Sherrie
You are doing really great. I also started a thread in the gamcare website but I haven’t updated it -I will look u up there.

I have been having some counselling also and it is helping so much it makes me wonder why I put it off for so many years .
It’s great to have a brain that can think about other stuff .
Take care Sherrie xx

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Hi Jen
Thank you for your post on my thread .
Lack of sleep is horrible but so much better when you are not full of shame and completely broke.
A few posts ago you describe some losses – I notice some old school mates or some of the people I knew in my twenties are starting to fade away. It does really make you realise that we have to make the most of everyday and be the best we can be .
Thank you for your continued support – you are a good friend on here !

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Haha Vera
U n me should have been fellow gamblers – my mum is so sociable – and I hate the chit- chat.
I just want my machine , peace and no watchers !
I don’t want my family anywhere near me with their big loud
“how are you doing ?
“are ya winning?”
“How much have you lost ?”
“Is it playing bad?”
I never want to hear who got five sevens earlier on or who put a fortune in where .
I just want me , my machine, the private bliss of a prospective win or , the more often private shame of my huge loss –

And did u notice every Irish casino has a John (often with a wife Mary ) who go to a different casino every night and they are always creeps who watch for the machines which are due a win – in other words they watch for the machines which have caused most misery that day .. and of course one of them always has a “terrible” chest infection from too many ‘fags’ and coughs all over the machines.

Now remind me what will I missing by giving up gambling !

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Thank you Steev for your post – I actually deleted my post about the counsellor because I suddenly thought I might be breaching regulations or something.
I had my second session today – and it occurred to me that I didn’t make any jokes for a whole hour .
Usually when I am chatting my quick wit does all the talking -it’s a laugh a minute but towards the end of today’s session I realised that it is not really me who is talking – it is just that quick wit
Maybe it’s because I have to keep parts of me hidden – like my compulsion to gamble – or could it be that I don’t actually trust people very much. Someone once said to me “‘Everybody let’s you down in the end” and I could relate to that because i have always found it to be true .People build themselves up by putting others down.

This is turning into a terribly negative post.

So the good news is that urges to gamble have reduced so dramatically in the past week that I have been googling to find out why talking / counselling helps. Last week I did two all- nighters gambling. This week I gambled for a few hours and deposited very little .i also declined an offer from my mother to go to the casino (which is huge for me ) and I didn’t feel tortured. Instead I took her out for a lovely meal on another day. I also managed to fit in a family picnic this week.

Progress not perfection – life is getting better .

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Lizbeth
I am delighted to read of your progress.
I think it’s a great idea for your granddaughter to attend daycare . She will so enjoy the company of other children and you deserve some time for yourself .
Wow imagine you will be debt free in a year – I can’t wait to read that post .xx

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