It's now been a week since I reached out for help with GamCare and so far feeling positive about my progress.
I can honestly say putting the exclusions in place is the BEST thing I could have done. If it wasn't for reaching out here I would never of known this was even a thing.
Little things like looking at my bank account and seeing payments of normal everyday life other than a list of deposits to gambling sites is a good feeling.
I know it's still early days and the itch was certainly there on payday Tuesday but knowing that I actually couldn't access the sites has been a godsend.
This is my first weekend in months I am not worrying about where my money is coming from, not having to ask to borrow off friends and family and shamefully explain why so close to just being paid.
This forum is helping a whole lot. Reading other peoples success stories, relating to others who have also reached out for help recently like myself.
I've still got debts to tackle but currently in communication with PayPlan about these so fingers crossed I can get some kind of plan from this.
Feeling hopeful for the future.
Well done I hope to be in the same position as you next week.
Ive blown it all my whole wages, maxed out credit cards and can’t even get a payday loan, wife is away and back tomorrow so I’ve got to work out how to explain this all to her when she doesn’t even know I gamble. Not the type to take bad news well so dreading it.
Good evening May94 @qv4j0ef5i1
That is such a uplifting post that will also spur others on as well.
Once you make that decison yourself to stop it is really empowering. I supported my son through gambling harm for 9 years.
To wake up with a clear head and money in bank to choose what you do with your money is fabulous.
Be aware of your personal triggers and reach out at those times .
Gamcare and the Community are here in force. Well done and have a great evening.
Your never alone on here.
Best wishes
Patsy
Dear May, that's great to hear! I will keep supporting each of us to stop! As for me, I am at day 2 now and it feels good. 🙂 Before I would still gamble with free money, but that kept the gambling alive of course.
Keep it up!! :))
@the gambler: I hope you have found a way to tell your wife. It definitely helps to open up I know now from experience. Keeping it a secret is one of the biggest fuels of this addiction. Take care!!
Well done May. 👏👏👏 It really is a good feeling/reminder, looking at your bank account on a daily basis, to see “normal” payments coming out isn’t it!👍.
The Gambler, I wish you luck and strength and Charlotte, keep going - day at a time. 🙏.
Take care all.
Pink Lady. 🩷🍎.
@vujesp0ryd I understand that feeling as I have been there. Sometimes the only option is honesty although I know all too well how hard that can be. I had to come clean to my partner at the start of March when I had no money to pay the bills within hours of being paid. Keep logging on to here and chatting with others on threads like mine. It's the best thing we can do is continue to support one and other and no judgement here as most people who write on here have been in the exact same positions. Let me know how it goes telling your wife. Wishing you the best.
Take care
May
@j2nxf0khgl Hi Charlotte, thank you so much for your response. I'm glad you are feeling good! Lets continue to support each other on this journey. Well done for also taking the step to stop this awful addiction.
Sending lots of support and well wishes, May x
@j5a6meyr4z Hi Pink Lady, thanks so much for your reply. I cannot believe how something so simple such as seeing normal payments being made to my account like a trip to tesco or getting a can of diet coke at work has made me so happy. Not seeing those dreaded slot deposits coming out in the hundreds has made a world of difference to my mental health.
I hope you are well and wish you lots of strength and support for this journey x
@ofb741hvqs Thank you so much for your lovely response.
Seeing normal every day payments coming out is a good feeling even for the most simple of things. ANYTHING but those dreaded casino sites and money being wasted on gambling websites.
I most definitely am trying to be much more self aware of what it is that triggers me. I am still getting regular ad pop ups from these sites which although I can no longer access keep appearing on my fb/insta this can be difficult to see but when I remind myself of how good I've felt this past week it makes me want to keep going.
I'm logging on here regularly to remind myself its ok to speak out regularly, it's good to get it off my chest.
Take Care,
May
Day 8 since I put a stop to the gambling.
Last night was the most difficult, I had a letter through the post and it was a leaflet from a casino website telling me they had put a £30 bonus in my account and to play by this date...
My partner asked what the letter was and I quickly crumpled it up and said rubbish as I threw it in the outside bin. That's exactly what it is - rubbish.
Just over a week ago getting this I would've took it as some sort of lucky sign I would've thought 'oh wow, this is a sign I am going to win some money.' I would've logged in and ended up in a spiral, I would've spent that deposit and more. No matter how much I won I would've just lost it again. I see this in a different light just one week later, this isn't a lucky sign it was a sign to test me. I am a strong believer in the power of the universe, I take the letter as a sign from the universe that it's testing me now of all times in the earliest of days trying to see if I will crack. As soon as I threw this away I went back inside ran a bath, sorted out a pamper night for myself and went in to give my baby a goodnight kiss as she slept. A clear conscience is what I have today. Although, tough to receive and could have very well gone the other way again this makes me feel stronger about sticking to quitting the fact I resisted every urge I had.
It's funny how things work, never have I ever received anything to do with these sites through the post in the whole time I have gambled yet as soon as I quit I get this? I think it's very important to remember these bonuses are too a scam. Wagering requirements/unable to withdraw having to play with these funds. All one big con to get us to sign in and catch us in the web.
Was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience so close to quitting, or how they have dealt with the temptations in front of them such as ad's on fb etc...
Wishing everyone on here a positive, gamble free bank holiday weekend.
May x
Well done May @qv4j0ef5i1 for resisting the leaflet, that is just fabulous.
Have an amazing gamble free weekend and keep throwing away the leaflets !!
My son almost gave up once when he came home with a carrier bag full of cash from the bookmakers shop. At that time he was totally isolated from everyone and was no longer feeling the buzz. He did not feel he belonged anywhere except amongst gamblers in betting shop. Took bag back down next day and lost the lot and more. Depression and self hate then kicks in.
So all the leaflets and adverts are there to entice. Never ever do you win, misery is the end result and so much harm to yourself and others you love.
You are doing so well May. Keep up the great work
Patsy
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