Hello Paul 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.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

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!

Keep writing on here. Stopping is the key!

Don’t ever lose hope, Paul. You are not alone.

Hi Paul you CAN change your life around lots of us have ??

Hi Paul , it’s hard when we have to face the consequences but you will get through it . You are sounding strong and determined . Make sure you have every conceivable barrier in place so that when u do come into money it is impossible for you to gamble .
Anyone you could borrow a bit of food from? Getting hungry will lower your mood – try to reach out and ask for help

You will make it you know

I call gambling, “G A M B L I N G”, Paul!
I believe in calling a spade a spade not just an “agricultural implement”.
Believe me, I have gone through the name of every demon but none I encountered equals the name
“GAMBLING”

Hi Paul,

Keep strong, you will get through these day’s.

Just to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Paul
Wrap up well.
It’s bitterly cold!

God DOES help those who try to help themselves, Paul . I could relate many similar stories, testimonies of Divine intervention, but I mostly I stay silent because people have different beliefs and opinions on who their Higher Power is. Personally, I KNOW my Higher Power and He sure knows me .
Today we were clearing out old tea chests from the garage where my husband has stored them for years for a friend who moved back to the UK and whose wife died about twenty years ago. He has to make a decision on what to do with these things-mainly books. We came across her bible and I flicked through the pages and what do you think fell out…a Picture of St Anthony!! Yes, Tuesday is St Anthony’s Day. I have a friend who attends the Nine Tuesday devotions. She has had a lot of prayers answered.
It is only when we really need Him, that we turn to God. We move away. He remains in the one place. Waiting.
Now you know for certain that you are not alone.

Hi Paul,
I agree with Vera, God can help us to do what we cannot do for ourselves. Amen.

A step in the right direction no doubt. Keep posting on here, i know things will seemmirrerable at times but support is good here. Try and find another outlet to replace gambling, exersize is good for the body and the mind. Stay strong mate, things will get better very quickly.

A beautiful prayer, Paul
Faith moves mountains.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ~ Hebrew 4:15

Now, think of what happens if we DON’T stop, Paul
The opposite to the above.

The easy part is stopping, the difficult part is staying stop.

Well done on those positive actions Paul.

Missed you in the Group tonight, Paul.
What’s the latest?
Did you ban from the local bookies?
Give us an update when you are ready.

Paul, I am so delighted to hear you will be going to GMA on Monday. I prayed that your place would come up soon.
You have born your “cross” with dignity , despite the hard times. In my experience , Paul very few “professionals” understand gambling problems. I did meet 3 priests in the course of my gambling “career” who “got it”. One told me to go to GA and gave me an address to write to him if I wanted further help, another said “Pray to St Camillus , he was a gambler”, the other asked had I enough money to get me through that Easter and told me where I could go for financial help . I was totally broke that Easter and at a low point . He was very compassionate.I think it all depends on their own experiences of life, whether its a priest, doctor, teacher or whoever. The people who understand us most are fellow CGs.
As you know Paul it will not be easy to undo years of damage in 14 weeks but this is you CHANCE. Your blessing! I know you won’t waste it.
I want you to know you will be in my thoughts and prayers every day during your time in GMA.
It is never too late to start again. Take it one day at a time Paul. You will meet great friends in GMA.
You are not alone!

Your priest can suck on it!

Sorry to those I offfend, but I mean it!

God, Mary, Joseph…the baby Jesus (notice the capitalization..I do that to square my odds…isn’t that totally expected)), they can’t/won’t/don’t exist/teaching is we need to learn; not my concern. My concern is a very concrete, ingrained, impulsive, compulsive condition, which I not only HAVE to confront, but now…finally understand why I want to.

I also have bank coming, April 1st. Fool’s day.

I won’t be a fool because those days are over. I no longer want to walk off the stage; the lonely, defeated walk of shame to my car in the parking lot of the casino, knowing I’ll spend the next days, months and much MORE years regretting who I have become.

No. Today is a new day.

I’m so lucky to have money coming. As you. I won’t squander it though, this time. I appreciate now that funds are not a right, but a blessing. Mine will go to pay off debts I’ve acquired.

I am blessed. I have been granted that which I don’t deserve just because I was granted the opportunity to work hard and reap the benefits. But so have others; worked hard just to survive, but weren’t granted my position/blessed life (I can still call it that, gratefully).

Be good to yourself, my friend, as will I. There is life after gambling. The ones who committed suicide didn’t feel hope. I want to feel hope because suicide would be too easy…for me. Not so much for those who need me.

Congats! Don’t **** yourself over. I’ll be watching how you handle this balloon payment.

Your priest can suck on it!

Sorry to those I offfend, but I mean it!

God, Mary, Joseph…the baby Jesus (notice the capitalization..I do that to square my odds…isn’t that totally expected)), they can’t/won’t/don’t exist/teaching is we need to learn; not my concern. My concern is a very concrete, ingrained, impulsive, compulsive condition, which I not only HAVE to confront, but now…finally understand why I want to.

I also have bank coming, April 1st. Fool’s day.

I won’t be a fool because those days are over. I no longer want to walk off the stage; the lonely, defeated walk of shame to my car in the parking lot of the casino, knowing I’ll spend the next days, months and much MORE years regretting who I have become.

No. Today is a new day.

I’m so lucky to have money coming. As you. I won’t squander it though, this time. I appreciate now that funds are not a right, but a blessing. Mine will go to pay off debts I’ve acquired.

I am blessed. I have been granted that which I don’t deserve just because I was granted the opportunity to work hard and reap the benefits. But so have others; worked hard just to survive, but weren’t granted my position/blessed life (I can still call it that, gratefully).

Be good to yourself, my friend, as will I. There is life after gambling. The ones who committed suicide didn’t feel hope. I want to feel hope because suicide would be too easy…for me. Not so much for those who need me.

Congats! Don’t **** yourself over. I’ll be watching how you handle this balloon payment.

Just want to wish you all the best in GMA, Paul.
I know you will make the most of this wonderful opportunity.
God bless!

Hi Paul,

Just wanted to drop you a quick note.
Glad to hear you are on the right track. you have come a long way since i first started reading your thread. Keep it up!

Hi Paul
What a terrific, positive post.
I know the programme is tough but it works provided those who enter it are determined and you sure sound like you are on your way to a gamble-free life.
My CG went through the programme about 11 years ago and I didn’t know what to expect from him when he had completed the project – I was terrified of upsetting something I felt was so fragile. I asked him to help me so that I didn’t make mistakes and he did.
I think that when you use those building blocks there are things put into place that were never there before so the finished project is better than anybody could imagine. I hope you will keep posting, keep making the right choices and recognise complacency for what it is – a beguiling temptress who will only bring you misery.
I too thank GMA every day of my life
I wish you well with the rest of your journey and look forward to hearing your progress.
Velvet

Wishing you well my friend,
Living, the greatest adventure of them all!!!!!
Its been wonderful reading your posts, becoming so positive and full of hope.
Gambling will only bring us pain.
You can do this, in fact….you are!
Take care, K xx

Delighted to hear things went well for you Paul. I prayed for you every day. St Anthony guides us in the right direction if we don’t stand in His way!
Most of the mistakes we make in Life are because we want to do things “our way”. For a CG , that’s leads to total disaster as you know.
Are you in a “Halfway House” now Paul?

Well done Paul.

Reborn is right. I always say that life doesn’t begin at 30,40 or 50, it begins when we stop gambling.

Keep posting

Hi Paul
The half way house is there for a reason but you can manage perfectly well with the tools you have been given to live a wonderful gamble-free life.
I suggest that you keep posting and using the groups including the ex-resident’s group so that you can talk to others who are in your position for as long as you want to do so.
Full-time employment is not to be sneezed at and it is up to you now to keep control of your addiction and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Your post is positive and great to read but beware complacency – I look forward to seeing you go from strength to strength.
Velvet

It’s great to see how far you have come in such a short time, Paul. Thanks for your posts. Congrats. on getting a new job too.
Life passes us by when we choose to gamble. Live your life one day at time and keep it very simple.

Great work Paul. Shows that good things come to those who are willing to work hard at doing the right thing. Kudos to you. Keep up the good work and lets beat this disease together as a team. Glad to be on your thread and to share in your success.

Great work!!

How are things Paul?
Is it tomorrow you start your new job?
I just want to let you know I’m thinking of you and wish you the very best, one day at a time.
Give us an update when you can.

Happy to hear the job is going well so far.
Nothing like a job to keep you busy!!!!!
I hope you are enjoying your time with your princess. You blink and they are grown and married and have had a baby!!!! (Like my princess!!! lol)
Take care and enjoy your weekend,
Love K xxx