[steph40]

I am grateful that I was able to stay GF in the last 24 hours.. I received an email yesterday afternoon saying that my ?cooling off? period was over at one of my favourite online casinos, even though I am certain I did a self-exclusion for 5 years.. yesterday was a pay day so a lot of damage could have been done.. there was an online group on here so I went on and got great advice which led to me not gambling and going back in the site when my husband got home to permanently self-exclude.

[steph40]

I am off on holidays this week and am managing to stay gamble free. At the end of this month I go back to work (have been working from home since March) and my kids go back to school (school has also been out since March) so I know September will be a stressful month for me and I need to work on coping strategies to handle stress better instead of ?escaping? to gambling.

[steph40]

Yes I agree.. I don’t think the book is enough to just quit gambling on its own- I think there is a lot of good information in there though and definitely one tool to use. I particularly like chapters 5 to 8.

[steph40]

Hi Sarah,

Gambling is definitely the worst kind of hell, yet I always go back to it…August is always a tough month for me as the kids are getting ready to go back to school- so there is school supplies to buy, new clothes, shoes, as well 3 of my kids have birthdays in August and September… I find myself thinking I could spend $100 and cash out more to help with everything. I know I am lying to myself as an excuse to gamble and that it is not about the money but those gambling thoughts keep creeping back in.

[steph40]

I am currently reading this book for the second time and found very helpful information in it. Great job on making it to day 12!!

[steph40]

Thanks for the kind words!! I’m on day 14 being Gamble free and feeling a lot more optimistic than I did last week. I feel like I can do this. The lake was amazing and the weather was hot. going forward I know that I need to continue to keep myself busy which takes my mind off gambling. I am still working up the courage to attend a virtual meeting.

[steph40]

Thanks so much!! you as well!! These 11 days have been difficult as I do have money in the bank.. in the past I have always quit when we hit rock bottom and every cent had to go towards living – it was a lot easier not to gamble when I had no money.. i keep reminding myself of the things I will be able to do (like going to the lake) because I am not gambling all our money away.. i need to start group/ individual therapy to d al with why I gamble and get tools in place to stay gamble free

[steph40]

I agree.. it is very helpful.. I still have not limited myself from having access to money because it is close to impossible but am trying to figure out different habits to limit the amount like paying bills as soon as I get paid.. last night I didn’t sleep well as Thursday nights are pay nights – which is being used for holidays so I had no bills to pay. But I was able to make it through by reading on here… still working on doing my first zoom meeting..

[steph40]

I have been getting headaches and have been really tired for the last four days or so.. so not sure if it’s related?? i would think the lack of dopamine would cause issues but not sure??

[steph40]

I have gone 9 days being GF!! Today is another payday so I am planning ahead to make sure I don?t have access to money for gambling. It is hot here and the long weekend so we are going to the lake.. I?m feeling a lot less anxious and positive about things.. i am looking forward to my life being gamble free!!

[steph40]

I am also on my last chances with my husband and will not screw up this time. It is crazy how much extra time I have as a result of not gambling so I am trying to find healthy things to do- I have been enjoying walking and biking.

[steph40]

This is very helpful, thank you!!

[steph40]

These 3 words perfectly summarize how I have been feeling the past few days not gambling… I am on day 6 without gambling.

[steph40]

I am just a few days into being gamble free from online casinos and I am struggling too – I feel so out of sorts right now but reading threads on here has been so helpful to me. I am working up the courage to do an online Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

[steph40]

Today is day 5 of not gambling and I am feeling more positive and feel like I can do this. I have not joined a zoom meeting yet for GA but I clicked on the link and plan to participate tomorrow morning as the weekend is so busy. I have blocked all the online casinos I was gambling on. I have noticed on tv there are way more commercials about online casinos so need to put blocks in place.

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