ex and would be ex-gamblers support thread

Welcome Leanne,
you can just turn up at a meeting, i'd go with a general one first before you start the steps. The meeting will welcome you and let you know some of the things you can do to help stop you from gambling...

hand over your finances, tell other half everything regarding debt (it will come out eventually anyway so tell them now)
put gamblock (for a fee) or k9 (free) on your phone
tell your friends and family. (the more people know the more they can support and help you)
take lots of phone numbers (or a list) when you go to the meeting so you can call other members throughout the week.

remember, the first step is to admit you are powerless over gambling. once you do this the rest comes in time x

Also remember you are not alone. GA will be filled with people who know exactly what you are talking about, they will have felt what you feel, done what you've done.

I've been in GA for almost 12 years now and not gambled for 11.5 years. It works if you want it to (i thought i was better than ga to start with, i wasnt.)
i barely think about gambling now and when i do i look at what i've achieved without it and realise that all it would bring is misery.

Good luck. feel free to message me privately if you wish

Lynsey x

Thank you for your advice, this weekend was a massive step for me, I wrote letters to my family members, OH and told my close friends, so the secret is out and everyone knows and the weight that has been lifted or my shoulders has been amazing, everyone is supporting me, my OH is taking full Control of my money, my wages paid in to his account and I!!!8217;ll be using a pre paid card that he will top up, I have a 3 year plan that clear my debt, my mum is also going to lend me some money and I!!!8217;m Lucky enough to have 2 meetings in my area so although the thought of going to 1 terrifies me I know that without it I won!!!8217;t get better so I!!!8217;m going, April 5th was day 1 of my new life

That's great Leanne. It's not easy telling others that you are a compulsive gambler so well you for doing it.

anxiety is common, in fact you likely always had it but the gambling muted it. once you stop you are much more aware of emotions and things going on with your body and mind.
Beta blockers or a mild anti depressant may be a good idea for a little while until your mind gets into a "new" place of not gambling xx

However, heart palpitations could be other things so maybe a trip to the docs isn't a bad thing whether you want medication or not x

TrumpCard wrote: »

This is so true, I have been gamble free for over 4 months now which makes me really pleased with myself. But all my colleagues at work have noticed I’ve become much more reserved and quiet lately, and I’m noticing it myself. Gambling used to give me a social buzz when winning and now I’ve got rid of that, I need to learn how to interact without it. Scary really how much gambling took over me in so many ways.

its all about filling the void. Most people i know in GA take up a new hobby. it fills the time and they get to meet new people too. I took up baking and netball...cakes made me fat, netball burned them off :T:rotfl: