Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

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Hey Brother,

My story is similar to yours in how long and how much we’ve gambled. I’m on day 6 again myself. This life we’ve created isn’t fun is it? The truth and only truth is listening to your in we self. Does it like the person that gambles? Does it want to do something else? Listen to it. Mine says gambling is bad, that is hurts me, that I wish I had control over it. That i should be Doug something else with my time. I relapsed about 5 times this year gambling away $100k. I hate it too. But that money is gone and I’m unfortunately a compulsive gambler. That means that I can’t gamble because I can’t stop. Pretty simple, I can’t stop until it’s gone… I need to know that. Then and only then can I just not do it. I gave all finances to a family member. I’ve sold a few things. I’m working a plan. Things will get better.

You need to make up your mind if you want to really stop. Once you do that first day is a mother then it slowly gets better. Motivational speeches have also been helpful.

As VERA says, put time between yourself and your last best. Or last thought of the debt. The money is gone and thinking about it and the wasted opportunities and time is only going to cause more pain. Think about one day at a time and only one day.

If you had never gambled would you like yourself? If they answer is anywhere close to yes I think the answer is to stop not just for the money but to get your life back.

Jon

I also believe we are somewhat alone when we quit. There are people and resources around to help which is great. But you and me need to decide on our own that we don’t want to do this anymore and stop. Then and only then can thouse resources work. At the end of the day you have to make the decision. No counselor, GA, gorlfriend, brother, or parent can ultimately stop us. We need to stop pirselves and deal with the consequences and the linings it causes. In time it will get better.

Where did you go? What’s going on?

great advice/thoughts, Jonny.

Hey I can’t Do This,

Where did you go? You still gamble free?

Best,
Jon

Hey I Can Do This,

I’m really sorry to hear about your relapse and money lost. Nice that you came clean about it on here. And I’m glad to hear your back on day 4. I’m on day 15. Things are all great but I’m happy to have not gambled for a couple weeks. All I want to do is pay back my debts and start over again and put this in the past. I’m sure you’re a good gambler and have won many times before. Our problem is that we can’t ever stop gambling if we win or can’r stop chasing the money we’ve lost. We always have plan and that this time it’s going to work out.

I want to be honest with myself and try to get to know myself better to understand why I want to gamble. Why I want to make money without having to work for it. Why I want the money in the first place. When I had close to 75K in the bank I didn’t feel much different. But I felt like I had security. I guess the point Im trying to make is that having money and not having money might not be the issue. It might be that we are unhappy with ourselves and are trying to escape ourselves by gambling.

Good luck on day 4 and getting to day 5. And me on getting to day 16. ??

Hi ICantDoThisAnymore,

Well done on looking for help, you are already getting some great advice.

Wat can you ;earn from your latest relapse?

Have you told your buddy that you have decided to stop gambling so to help by not asking you to go again?

Have you got yourself banned from the casino that you both usually go to? Then it won’t be an option.

Read the other stories here; what things are helping others that you can apply to your own situation?

Keep posting.

Hi again, you need to speak to your girlfriend as well. Going to use your “freeplay” is just going to keep your addiction ticking over, even if her holding your cards means you don’t gamble at the time.

If she knows she has to hold your cards then why not ask her to help you with financial accountability at all times?