I'm such an idiot to start playing online again!

[Let_It_Ride]

whilst I haven't been able to stop cold turkey I do not have very strict limits set at the one casino I do play 20, 50 or

I should have said 'I do have strict limits set' and not 'I do not' finger trouble!

[lojo]

thanks Mike, you are right gambling can be fun when controled, look at KK, wish I had some of his will power.

whilst I haven't been able to stop cold turkey I do not have very strict limits set at the one casino I do play 20, 50 or 100GBP which is very positive progress when you consider I was depositing 1000s in one session last year.

and just to keep the thread complete, I did PM pina a few days ago and offered her my apologies, she is good people and we're cool again

I hope that you are ready to quit for all time if you hook up with a twelve step program, and I hope you are ready to give your life and your will over to god as you understand him, because otherwise you will have a horrible time. I wish the best for you, and I want you to take solice in knowing that at least half of us here have at least had 'issues' with gambling. Some are well, some are not, but they wouldn't be anyway

I, personally, seem to be a little obsessed with the forum, if not the action. I would prefer to gamble than... most things. I would prefer to hang out here than there, I seem to need the company of misery. I'm sick that way, that is sick. But, in me, it is not a disease, just an oddity. I can get over it, prolly but it doesn't really present a problem in my life. (now I'm rubbing it in your face?) you know why you shouldn't, you know damn well! You have an addiction, it can be CURED

I'm glad you may have found some folks or a clan or a way; as long as you do not spread that 12th step virus of the mind, as long as you do not HAVE to save another soul to stay 'sober' from gambling, and mostly, as long as you can save your own life, I am happy for you.

Don't pick up and don't use.

Your neocortex will be there when your faith fails, count on it.

There are no outs.
You willdecide to quit until the last star sputters from the sky and then you decide to quit another day beyond that.
You have every ability for survival that god granted to man, and beyond that you have the voice of survival in your very spark of life, and that spark cries out,

I WILL SURVIVE

and you will survive by the simplest means and live the luxury of being one of more than six billion people and your quietest dreams will be your greatest joys,

those moments of silence that used to you drive to destroy yourself will become the moments when you find the shh shh inside. it is nothing to fear, the silence is you, the silence is god, and god, and you are a number that cannot be counted to.

You are in the perfect place right now, a place of love and healing and all you had to do was ask.

May your healing powers restore you to your perfect self and may you never let it ride again.

May you never let it ride. But be yourself..

[lojo]

I should have said 'I do have strict limits set' and not 'I do not' finger trouble!

Please PM me if you have any trouble stopping completely. Can you actaully play within limits? I'm worried. This is not heroin, this is not booze, this is a deep seated need. I can walk you through it. You MUST STOP COMPLETELY for now, you may be able to challenge it later, but not now! Why are you playing? Please ask yourself that question and listen for the answer before you make another bet. You have the ability, you are not powerless over this.

Why am I gambling?

Listen.

because it feels good when i win

it is a simple disconnect.

it doesn't feel good when i lose, it does not

i gamble to feel good

there are other ways to feel good

the urge will pass whether i gamble or not

the urge will be gone in a while no matter what

how do i want to feel then?

to hell with that, i need to feel good now

THAT WILL PASS too

The urge will pass no matter what you do, it WILL go away.
Try some finger excercises, count, bend them, get focused. Your greater brain will tell your left little finger to bend, bend it, laugh at yourself when the other finger bends too

Now look at your hand, can you put it on your leg? Can you? Can you tap your fingers on your leg? Now if you aren't ready to completely control your hand - your hands gamble - if you aren't completely ready to stop the action take this action. 1-- call your sponsor! Sit on your hands! do not let your ahnds out from under your ass or legs NO MATTER WHAT until someone is there to sit on your hands for you. Have your friend unplug your internet connection. DO THIS yourself if you can. count things if you must, rock back and forth if you must, but do not let your hands gamble. I'm here. PM me, i will walk you through the little time it takes for the urges to pass. I will call you anywhere on the planet.