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Hello Kensakus.
You have taken a big step writing on this Forum and I hope you will soon find that other people will share their stories with you, as you request. I am a volunteer member of the Gambling Therapy Team. I have never been a gambler, but my son is a compulsive gambler and I have learned a lot through trying to understand the effects of this. I have talked with other family members and also gamblers, working to live in recovery. I am also a qualified therapist.I can see from your post that you have had a stressful working life and then gambling caused more stress and problems for you, in terms of your career and your personal life and health. But it also looks like you have got some support in place and barriers to ensure that you cannot easily return to gambling. I hope these measures help you feel a bit safer and able to work on a sustained recovery.
Many people on this site find it very supportive to write regularly about their struggles, their progress and also their ‘failures’. You may also find it useful to have a real-time conversation with someone on the Helpline and in the Support Groups. If you click on Support Groups at the top of this page, you will find all the times and types of groups are listed. You then need to check what is the equivalent time in your country to make sure you can join in at the right time.
I wish you well on this part of your journey.
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!
Just been catching up on your posts. I am sorry you have been going through such a tough time. The past is behind, even if it is still trying to torment you – your salvation is in the present and the future. In this very moment and each moment to come.
Wishing you courage and good health.
Monique
Hi Peacegirl. I would also be very interested to hear more about your experiences with EMDR, if you feel ok about sharing them. I do not know much about it, but have heard reports of considerable success in the area of Post Traumatic Stress. Maintaining recovery long term when you have an addiction is still, I believe, going to be a personal, day-by-day journey, requiring all the other kinds of support we discuss on this site.
I wish you well and, as I said above, am interested in what you learn and find out.Monique
Hi Adele
I hope your new plans all work out really well and you find peace and happiness.
Best wishes,
Monique
Just saying Hi to you Looby. I still think of you and your family and send you all my best wishes,
Monique
And all good wishes, Berber!
Monique
I am sorry to hear that you and your partner are having further problems health-wise. You certainly have more than enough to cope with and I am sure you are wise to back off, for whatever other reasons – you probably need to concentrate on just doing the absolute essentials and then resting when possible. And hopefully, finding some special moments to enjoy whatever you need to help lift your spirits.
A mother’s heart will always be a mother’s heart, so you will feel those motherly feelings, but you have wisdom too and strength gained from past experience.
Always wishing you well,Monique
Dear P. It sounds like you are having a tough time with urges. But I hope you can take courage – from whatever source it can reach you – and, knowing what you have and can achieved, you will be able to stay on the right path of life.
Simplicity is a good theme at difficult times. In reality, life can be simple and we can manage things better when we recognize that and let go of some of the pressures and complications. Life may still be challenging, but if we consciously strip it down to the useful and essential things, we can gain some peace and energy.
As ever, I reach out to you with all good wishes,Monique
Thank you for another thoughtful and wise post, Sam.
Best wishes,
Monique
Do not be afraid to come back and start over, no matter what has happened.
Wishing you courage and determination,
Monique
Hi Williame
Thank you for sharing your news. It is good to hear about progress being made and that this is possible even when things get tough and ‘temptation’ is strong.Very best wishes,
Monique
Family relationships are sometimes the most difficult of all and bring up so many strong feelings in us. It doesn’t sound as if your sister is in a very good place herself just now, so you probably just have to protect yourself and politely explain briefly (as you did). In time, she may appreciate more about your needs and feelings, but I think you know you have to take care of your own recovery for now. You may be surprised later to find that she has learned from your example – but none of that is within your control, of course.
If you need to reduce your online time, I think we all respect that – everything here is to help you in recovery and when you need another way it is good that you know yourself well enough to follow your own inner wisdom. As you say, a lot of what you have learned is within you now and you can practice it.
Best wishes as always,Monique
Hi Wayne.
Things sound really low for you. But you have made a very good choice to come to this site. Please slow down as much as you can and try to take one small step at a time in a direction that will do you good. Forty is not too old to change. Use the support, advice and friendship you can find here to start a better future, One Day At A Time ( or even one moment at a time).
Every good wish at this important time in your life.Monique (Gambling Therapy Team)
Hello April. I just want to add my welcome to that of others who have already written on your thread. I see that you have been able to tell quite a bit of your story and I hope this helps you make your way forward. As you say, you can’t change everything all at once – One Day At A Time is an important idea to keep in mind.
I wish you well and look forward to hearing more.
Monique (Gambling Therapy Team)
