Hello Dabbers 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!

Dabblers if you exclude from that site RIGHT NOW you will get your withdrawal straight away. Without the option of you being able to reverse it, it will be released as soon as you exclude 100%.

You obviously don’t want to gamble again, so will also be doing yourself a big favour. Youve lost 30 thousand pounds. Why would this 550 be any different?

Hi Dabbers, well done on looking for help. Read the other stories here, you will see a lot that you wioll relate to. You will also see the success stories – what are they doing that you can apply to your own situation?

As Geardie has already suggested, excluding from sites is a good idea, beter yet get a blocker for your PC and phone.

Financial barriers also help. Does your husband know you have that ￡550 coming? I am sure he would be delighted to help with financial accountability. He could also set any passowrds on the gambling blockers. If you are still tempted to use that ￡550 to gamble with then maybe he could set a password on the PC so that you can’t?

We all know that no money = no gambling.It is an old saying – actions speak louder than words. The actions that wioll help you stop gambling are the same actions that will help you rebuild trust with your husband.

Keep posting and let us know what positive steps that you are taking

It is a tough battle Dabbers, but one you can get on top of…. It’s not nice to feel all alone with it, you are not.

There are plenty people that read the forums but don’t post, the support groups can get quite busy at times.

One thing that’s proven each and everyday is that you can’t turn things around without support, so it’s been a good move posting on here.

Well done for excluding I know it can be a difficult thing to do.

All the best to you for your revovery. I’m at work and got to dash.

Take care.

Geordie.

I think what you’re experiencing is normal when giving up Dabbers. Like any other addiction there are some withdrawal symptoms. It might take a while but they will go.

Mind you it is feasible that you have an ongoing medical condition that you’ve never let bother you when you’ve been gambling.

It might be worth getting it checked out, and when you’re at the doctors it might be a good idea to tell them about your gambling and see if they can refer you to either an addictions counsellor or to the NHS gambling clinic.

All the best with whatever you choose. (Except gambling!)

Geordie

It took me a long, long time to let go of my loss, Dabbers. The trouble with holding on is that we keep trying to win back what we lost. I knew I would never win it back, yet I kept trying. Then, one night a man said at a GA meeting “gamblers never win” and the proverbial penny dropped. Although I still grieve my loss, its at a different level now. I have a lot of debt but its manageable and I just pay it mechanically, one week/month at a time.
Look at the wider picture and you will realize that money is the least of our losses.
Try not to dwell on it.

What a great feeling! You should be proud of yourself!
We all have suffered terrible loss due to gambling and it’s not just monetary!
Whenever you dwell on your loss, think about what you have gained! Your life! Your sanity! Your self worth and self esteem! You can put a dollar amount on that!
Keep working at it, you’re doing great!
Love K xxx

Keep moving on, Dabbers. One day at a time!

Having time alone and available funds used to be my downfall!
The good news is, urges always pass. The consequences of gambling remain the same.
Just use the “one hour at a time” method.
Well done on resisting the urge.
It’s very easy to succumb.

Hi Dabbers it was nice to meet you in group recently . You are making great progress. Well done on your honesty in Telling your husband. This addiction is horrible but you reached a year before and you seem to be very determined to stop . I truly believe you will .

Hi Dabbers, well done on your gamble free time. You managed a year before? Well done, this time though you aren’t doing it on your own. If/when you get to a year this time you will still be getting support here, you will be stronger.

Thinking about Vegas? Well we all like holidays, if you managed Vegas 4 times, with the resultant losses, think what holidays you can look forward to now :). Fancy the Mladives? A skiing holiday? Scuba diving on the Barrier Reef? Those dreams can become reality in recovery.

Nice to meet you in chat, well done on getting here. For trying to make life better, for wanting to stop and looking for help. Hopefully see you in chat one day soon again. There are no wins in gambling, its all loss.

P

How are you doing Dabbers?
Just touching base.

Well done for not gambling. Very sorry to hear about your family member. It is possibly the most difficult thing to do, to sit with a family member who is making the transition from this life. No one should be in pain on this journey. Are they getting all the appropriate palliative or hospice care? Remember that you are not alone and that there are people on this forum who care.

Dabbers – I am so sorry to read of the difficult time you are going through . It is an incredibly sad time for you and I am so glad that you are gamble free and able to give such support to your family member . Thinking of you both .