[monique]

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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.

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!

[monique]

Thank you for sharing a little about yourself. I can see you are feeling very low just now. But already you have a very kind reply from someone who can understand something of your feelings. This illustrates the way you can connect with others who will help and support you and advise you on a better way forward.
Do tell us more about your situation, so you can get more specific help. And do make use of the Support Groups, too, where you can share in ‘real’ time.
Wishing you well and hoping to read more from you.

Best wishes,

Monique

[monique]

Thank you for sharing your story. You describe your fear and sense of loneliness very vividly. It is a difficult place to be in. But, please be assured that you are not alone – here there is support from people, who will want to understand and suggest ways forward without any judgement. Do continue writing and also reading the posts from others and come in to the Support Groups, too, if you can manage that.

Best wishes,

Monique

[monique]

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope it helps you to write it out and I’m sure it will also help others.

Best wishes for your ongoing life in recovery,

Monique

[monique]

<

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.

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!

[monique]

<

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.

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!

[monique]

<

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.

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!

[monique]

<

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.

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!

[monique]

Hi P. It’s late here, but I just wanted to say, try not to worry about the past OR the future. Now is your moment. Enjoy it as much as is possible for you. Fill it with things that are as good for you as possible – and I don’t mean ‘things’ just in a material sense, but a chat with a friend, a lovely song, a film, a walk, work, etc etc and let the gambling go…
Best wishes,

Monique

[monique]

Hi P. I think it’s good that you are posting again. If you enjoy it and it helps you, why wouldn’t you? So make the most of it!
And regarding the Support Groups – mine have not changed, so do keep coming if you can.
Best wishes,
Monique

[monique]

That’s a good update to read, San. I wish you and your partner a Good New Year.
Monique

[monique]

I’m sorry that you are experiencing this kind of response from family. You have made your own conclusions about it and it is indeed likely that your family have felt very hurt and betrayed in the past and do not want to get their hopes up now. For you, it is good if you can keep your own feelings and motivation separate and just focus on the gambling-free life you need and want for yourself. It will take time, but I think your new way of life will eventually bear fruit in these family relationships – people may not be able to believe your words just now, but your actions will speak as time goes on.
It is good that you have some sympathy and understanding for what they may have gone through. Have your family members sought any support for themselves? – through the Family and Friends Forum here or through GamAnon, for example? It might be worth letting them have some info, but not in a ‘pushy’ way, while they are feeling so sceptical. Concentrate on your recovery for now and I hope you will see improvements in relationships in time and your patience will be rewarded one day.

Best wishes,

Monique

[monique]

This is a nice post to read, Izzi. Realistic, not ‘starry-eyed’, but positive, practical and full of gratitude. It’s so good you can write like this just now.
Very best wishes,
Monique

[monique]

Welcome. I hope you will find the help and support YOU need. When you love someone who gambles, your mind is full of their needs and the desire to protect them etc. This is how things are. But one of the vital things to do is to gradually turn your thoughts and efforts into looking after yourself and your own needs. This is not selfish, it is wise and essential. Addiction hurts the person who is addicted, but can (as you know too well) also hurt others very badly, especially those who really care. So do ask yourself what is best for you – when you are protected and safe, you will be stronger and, when the time is right, you will be able to help the one you love in the best way, if he truly wants help.
I hope this makes sense.
Regarding the winnings – my thoughts are that things can change very quickly in the context of gambling and we don’t know what the situation is at this moment in time. You could offer the sensible advice that the winnings are given to someone else for safety, but it will be up to your partner whether he acts on this advice and sticks with it. Once you have given the advice, it will be good if you can try your best to ‘leave it be’; try not to keep agonizing over it.
Do keep posting here (it might be a bit quiet over the holidays, but I hope you will get some good replies) and read the posts from others in similar situations. Look for the F&F Support Groups and join in those, if you can. And do some nice things for yourself and others you love. It can be hard to turn your thinking around, but it is important to look after you, too. Ultimately this is best for everyone.
Best wishes.
Monique

[monique]

Welcome. You have made a really important decision and have clarity in your mind about what should be your priorities – family, home, etc. And you have honestly faced that gambling is addictive for you. Do join in the support groups to communicate ‘live’ with others trying to have a gambling-free life. And write more about yourself here on the Journal you have started – so people get to know you better and can offer their thoughts and suggestions to support you. Also, read what others are writing as you can gain a lot from that, too.
I’m so glad you have made such a wise decision today. There will be struggles and battles ahead, I’m sure, but the difference in your life will make it all worth while and it will be so good for your family too – not just materially, but in every way.

Best wishes,

Monique

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