Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Neurolad!
I met you briefly in the Group earlier this evening but had just announced my departure as you came in.
I hear you when you say your family don’t want to understand your addiction. I guess nobody but a CG could ever “get it” . The emotions and mind tricks that a CG learns to cope with are beyond the mental scope of most “normal” people. I often felt my brain was wound like a tight spring and that the only thing that would release it was gambling! The reality is NL, that gambling will never bring release because Compulsive Gambling is a progressive disease and no matter how bad things seem today, we must realize that there is still another layer even more dangerous, underneath what we perceive to be our present disaster. I think part of our “surrender” is accepting that our nearest and dearest may not ever be able to offer help or support. This discovery can make us feel isolated to the point where we will gamble again.
Every time I isolate myself , I am at risk. For this reason CGs need to seek recovery with people who understand us and have had similar experiences. In the run up to your admission to GH, I would suggest you stay close to this site or if there is a GA meeting near you maybe you could attend. No point in giving any more time, money or energy to the gambling industry. Once we accept that gambling has us beaten, the best we can do is throw in the proverbial towel and admit our defeat.
Best wishes in recovery. Focus on your new life one day at a time. Well done on taking the first steps. These are the most difficult. Everything changes when we kiss gambling goodbye! Never lose hope!Well done, SJ!
Those fake slots really keep gambling in the front of a CG’smind in my experience. For me it’s like putting the addiction on hold until I get a chance to get back in action. I can say the same for games on the mobile phones. Once I start playing I can’t stop. I keep saying “just one more go”! I used to play games on the phone on my way to the casino. Imagine playing games while driving! Just proved to me that there is a link.
The good news SJ, is that it is easier to stop the “fakes” because you are not chasing losses there. Keeping clear of “devices” where they are available is the best barrier. I carry two phones with me most of the time so I just had to out up a mental barrier and say “No games!”
Glad to see you posting SJ!
Your mind will be clearer without those games and your time will be your own. We are only powerless when we START playing. Postpone the next “bet” !Where did those three years go, Lizbeth?
You are in my thoughts this day. A huge loss and a void in your life. My husband was sick with flu during the week and I was thinking of you and how well you get by without your husband. I don’t think I would have your strength. I hope your grandson continues to improve.Why is the question I asked myself over and over and over Lee. I never found the answer.
I know now that if I put one euro note in a slot machine, I will be writing similar posts to the few you have recently written.
I heard it said at GA last night (after a man had shared his sordid gambling story) that CGs cannot win. I read and wrote that very phrase hundreds of times but hearing it from someone’s mouth and looking into their eyes brings it home.
What’s the point in gambling if we can NEVER win? Total and absolute waste of time and money.
I heard an alcoholic priest sharing his story years ago about his conversation with God. He told God “I promise you, God that I will never drink again….God “spoke” back and guess what he said? “alcoholics can’t keep promises”!
Yes , Lee God sees the wider picture but He leaves it up to you and to me to stop making promises and do it His way.
GA is His way Lee, although most people will never realize that . The alternative is to “do it my way” !
We all know where that led us.
You ‘ll never get out of the mess until you stop gambling Lee.
You CAN stop. Staying stopped will depend on your actions from now on. Can you come clean with your wife (again) and together look at the solutions?
I hope and pray that this will be your rock bottom Lee. As you know , gambling is a progressive illness. It will never go away.
Well done on posting here. It’s great that you have the courage to do that.Thanks for posting to my thread, Cathy.
How is your son doing?
GA may not be the best place for him to meet a GF , unless of course she was well established in recovery.
The only thing you can do is stay focused on your own recovery. It seems selfish but when we get caught up in outside chaos it takes our peace.
Do you ever come to the GT Groups for All Members?
Maybe we will meet up there soon. One on this pm if it suits you, time wise.Not sounding good for your stepdad, is it Lorraine?
Still, you never know. Glad your mam is coping.
Just want to let you know, I had a text from my son, apologising for his silence.
Oh, and by the way I’m glad to hear you’re gambling less and less because for a CG, gambling is never a “small issue”. Just sayin’!Nice that you can decorate the living room at your ease, Micky.
Hubby papered ours in the run up to Christmas. Big task. He is no Spring chicken and the ceiling is high. All I’m good for is holding the ladder.That’s good to hear, Lizbeth.
You deserve all the good things Life has to give.
Kids are very resilient. Your grandson will get stronger, odaat. Good that he has a sense of humour. It helps!In KenL’s email yesterday it spoke about the less we are able to do things by human power, the more we realise God’s Power…I think it was Ken who sent that email or maybe its from another guy who emails me but whoever said it, I know its true. Left to human devices we will fail. We need Someone greater than us to help us through.
Kin, I was going to ask in GA if they have any Step Meetings, when out of the blue, one of the older members said “Why do we not have Step Meetings any more?” He must have read my mind. They plan to do that once a month now. I will use your input as extra support when it starts.
Maybe our mom is just using scratch cards as a distraction. I’m sure at 85, somebody monitors her money? It’s not easy to watch somebody you love getting old. Its not easing watching her losing her ability and faculties, or her money. Can you limit her funds?Very stressful for all concerned, Lizbeth. I suppose the surgery is intended to maintain proper alignment of the bones. He must have had a bad fall. I hope your daughter can cope. I will keep her and your grandson in my prayers.
Your patience paid off Reddy.
Nice little reward. Brilliant!Only one month left before the Marathon, Charles.
‘Hope the training is going well! Odaat!Well done, Micky. Some “losses” can be transformed into “gains”!
….and I wish, Adam, that you will remember why you came to this site in the first place, and I wish you didn’t consider yourself a failure because any CG who can resist playing a bandit that’s under his nose for a year is a success by any standard, and my third wish is that those dudes will either get a quick win, run out of money or go unconscious from drink to give you a few hours peace.
CGs never win Adam.
CGs never win.
CGs
never
win.Even if you reaped some “reward” think of what it would do to your pride, dignity and self respect.
“When you sup with the devil, use a long handled spoon” . Give that machine a swift kick as you go out the door tonight.Seri, your parents are blessed to have such a wonderful son.
You must be the best thing that ever happened in their lives.
Take a bow!