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Here are a few strategies I found helpful in staying away from gambling all this time:
- Keeping myself busy and focusing on work.
- Watching documentaries about people recovering from gambling addiction and how they have turned their lives around to the best.
- Spending the money I earn on paying bills and expenses beside the friends I took loand from, which brings me relief and a sense of control fighting the chaos gambling created in my life.
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That said, I still remain in touch with the gambling field as part of my work and lifestyle which I genuinely enjoy. My deep knowledge of this field feels valuable to me and I choose not to let it go to waste. While this close connection between my healing process and working in the gambling industry is without actually gambling, doesn’t tempt me anymore. Day by day, the desire to gamble is fading and I feel stronger in my journey.
I would love to hear about your experiences if you faced addiction or any opinions, suggestions, or stories you like to share. Let’s support one another on this journey.
First of all, i wish you success with your new lifestyle, and congratulations! It takes backbone to do something to fix your life. I understand completely how easy it's to fall into such pit, and while i haven't done that in a level i couldn't recover from, that was mainly because of my credit history i didn't have an access to such loans. Which in hindsight was a blessing. I would have totally spend it all into gambling (or bad investment in cryptos).
Your strategies are good ones. Best one beside a strict budget that i have, is to pay essential bills first, and never ever play a money i owe to someone.
Also talking to other gambling addicts helps. In that way i see myself better, because i see all the delusions i had back in time, and what i could be if i made some wrong choices. What pits to avoid and what techniques work. Just talking about it clarifies my thoughts and feelings too.