[neurolad]

I have gambled all my life with no want to stop…ever, but I now know that this addiction is destroying my life. The last handful of years I have lost my family, my friends and maybe the worse thing…my self respect. My inability to control my urges to gamble is something I still find hard to comprehend as I feel like a relatively well balanced guy .
I am about to go into residential rehab in England with little idea at what is in store for me, I do this out of desperation at my own inability to get to grips with this addiction.
I will hopefully update my progress over my time in recovery…..

[lizbeth4]

Hi neuroload I wish you well in residential rehab. It’s never too late for recovery. Please keep us updated on your journey. Take care!

[velvet]

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Hello NL 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.

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!

[velvet]

Hi NL
Whether you are driven by desperation or not, you are about to embark on a fantastic programme that can give you back the self-respect you want.
I hail from the F&F section of this site but my CG went through the programme a few years ago and it not only changed his life it changed mine too, so I ‘know’ you can live gamble-free and happy. I hope that your family is not truly lost to you – if they want to support you then they are very welcome in the F&F forum or in the F&F group on Tuesday evening between 8pm and 9pm. They can gain knowledge of your addiction that will help them cope and understand.
I wish you well and look forward to updates on your recovery
Velvet

[neurolad]

thanks for the invitation , I will speak to you guys on the Tuesday F&F forum soon. I work most Tuesdays but I will try and leave early and meet you guys

[neurolad]

thank you for the reply, I will keep you updated

[velvet]

Hi NL
My invitation to the F&F group on Tuesdays is for F&F only. You said in your first post that you had lost your family through addiction and this group is for them if they want understanding and coping methods so that they can support you at this very important time in your life.
F&F are usually angry. confused and frightened which is understandable but when a CG wants to change his or her life, I believe, it is time to listen and understand more so that good support can be given.
Recovery is easier with support although not impossible so whatever they decide to do I hope that you will make this your turning point.
Velvet

[neurolad]

my family do not want support , they want results….these results are on me to provide. they have no want to understand my addiction. thank you for the offer though

[vera]

Hi Neurolad!
I met you briefly in the Group earlier this evening but had just announced my departure as you came in.
I hear you when you say your family don’t want to understand your addiction. I guess nobody but a CG could ever “get it” . The emotions and mind tricks that a CG learns to cope with are beyond the mental scope of most “normal” people. I often felt my brain was wound like a tight spring and that the only thing that would release it was gambling! The reality is NL, that gambling will never bring release because Compulsive Gambling is a progressive disease and no matter how bad things seem today, we must realize that there is still another layer even more dangerous, underneath what we perceive to be our present disaster. I think part of our “surrender” is accepting that our nearest and dearest may not ever be able to offer help or support. This discovery can make us feel isolated to the point where we will gamble again.
Every time I isolate myself , I am at risk. For this reason CGs need to seek recovery with people who understand us and have had similar experiences. In the run up to your admission to GH, I would suggest you stay close to this site or if there is a GA meeting near you maybe you could attend. No point in giving any more time, money or energy to the gambling industry. Once we accept that gambling has us beaten, the best we can do is throw in the proverbial towel and admit our defeat.
Best wishes in recovery. Focus on your new life one day at a time. Well done on taking the first steps. These are the most difficult. Everything changes when we kiss gambling goodbye! Never lose hope!

[neurolad]

thank you for the wisdom you have bestowed upon me, I am sure that I will beat this addiction and with the support of people like you, it will make it easier…..thanks again

[Author]

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