[gb1958]

I started this journey in 2018 and had 3.5 years clean before I slipped or I should say fell flat on my face. Since then, I probably have slipped 2 dozen times or more. I was clean for 6 months after my first slip, got another 6 months under my belt and then I started to think I had this gambling thing whipped. Wrong O.I have not gambled for 3 days now and I really want to stop this time. I am so ashamed of myself and for all the lying I have done to my family. In addition to gambling, I am also a shopaholic who buys stuff that I don’t even want or need. If makes me feel better to get this off my chest. Any suggestions or thoughts would be most welcome. Thanks.

[Antonio]

Welcome here and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums.
Giving up gambling can be a winding road and it can take many attempts to get there but I am sure you have learnt some things about you and about how to do it in every one of these attempts, effectively getting closer to finally be free of gambling.

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!

[charles]

Hi gb, well done on looking for help.

Well done on your 3.5 years years, the good news is this means you know you can stop.

When you stopped before did you use any support?

As you have found, there is no return to «normal» gambling. In fact often the addiction seems to try and make up foir lost time if we go back to it. Read the other stories here, you will see the sorts of thigns that have helped others stop gambling.

Do your family know about your latest gambling? I am sure one of them would be delighted mto help with one of the barriers you will read about — accountability. Limiting our easy/instant ability to act on an urge and not being able to gambel in secret is a big help. I would think this would also help with the shopaholic thing as well.

I will leave it there for now. You stopped before and you can stop again. This ti9me though you will have some barriers in ploace. This ti9me you can continue to use support to maintain recovery. 3 1/2 years was great and support will make you stronger still.

Keep posting and maybe I will see you in ojne of the groups here soon.

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