Hello
On the 20th of December 2017, I finally hit rock bottom. Debts had accumulated to around £7k and every bet I placed went south in what seemed the cruellest of fashions. Slots were my downfall and I'd even started to shake and come out in a cold sweat when playing them (ridiculous - but that's addiction for you...). I estimate gambling had cost me a total of around £15k in total at that point. Looking back I think you think you will eventually win it all back.
I like to think I'm not a stupid man, I have a good job and am normally pretty level headed. It just shows anyone can fall into this trap.
The family didn't know (and still don't) anything about this and in fairness even though I have now reached my first anniversary of not having any form of bet I still hate myself for the deceit. That won't go away until I don't owe a penny to anyone.
I was lucky that my credit rating is still good and have been able to move my debt to a card that accrues no interest for two years. If I hadn't have stopped when I did - this wouldn't have been an option.
For me my epiphany came after a particularly bruising encounter on an online slot (that increased my debt by another £1000) and having retreated to the bathroom and locked the door, I curled up in a ball on the floor and thought how the hell am I going to get out of this mess. I decided I just HAD to stop gambling.
At that point, I had an account with Gamcare but somehow I couldn't access it and despite a couple of live chats, I never got it sorted out. So there I was going into 2018 on my own, with no support. Just my willpower to keep me from betting.
I know many of you now are in the same position I was then and would just like to share my thoughts and coping strategies on how to keep the devil in its box.
For me it's almost turned into a superstition. I was very lucky, that in January, one of the slot sites emailed me to say they were crediting my account with nearly £1000 - apparently, I was owed from contributions to a jackpot that had not been paid out. At the time I thought this was genuine but subsequently realised this was just a ploy to get me playing again - how low a trick is that?
Anyway, I withdrew the money and paid it off my credit card.
The point is, this event made me think that good things might continue to happen as long as I keep not gambling. I'm not particularly religious but do feel that all things happen for a reason. From that point, if I ever had the urge... I just thought back to this point.
Secondly, I made sure I kept myself busy. Looking back, I'm sure boredom played a big part in playing the d**n slots in the first place.
After a couple of months, I could see things were definitely changing. I was able to sit down and watch a football match without the urge for several bets. Previously, I had to have about seven different bets on the go - and when they died I'd double down on new ones...
As I sit here now, I've managed to clear about half the debt and have a plan that should see me debt free by the end of 2019. That will be a fantastic feeling.
I haven't sat down to write this to get the plaudits and the Well Dones and I appreciate everybodies case is different. There is one common theme though - We are all better off not gambling. Even if you manage to reduce your debt by £20, that is a GOOD thing towards things getting better. If interest payments are crippling you - there are organisations out there that can help. Don't be afraid to engage with them.
You really can do it.
Hi Stelvio
Thanks for sharing your story here on the forum. I know that you didn't write it to get a "well done", so I hope you don't mind me acknowledging your effort and commitment to stopping gambling. I wanted to also thank you for your encouraging words to our other forum users and for sharing what's worked for you.
Keep up the great work,
Warm regards
Leigh
Forum Admin
Mate you have done amazing and should be so proud of yourself, mine is a similar story I've chipped away at the days and weeks and now I'm close to 200 days gamble free and it feels brilliant.
Simon
That is also a fantastic achievement. I bet you feel so much better than 201 days ago! Happy Christmas and wishing you all the best for 2019.
Congratulations to you both.
Being debt free is a wonderful feeling so keep strong and keep it up.
Well done great post! I have now two months gf and paid a small element of debt back and looking at 2019 to continue this! Would love to write something similar in 2019
Stelvio wrote:
Hello
On the 20th of December 2017, I finally hit rock bottom. Debts had accumulated to around £7k and every bet I placed went south in what seemed the cruellest of fashions. Slots were my downfall and I'd even started to shake and come out in a cold sweat when playing them (ridiculous - but that's addiction for you...). I estimate gambling had cost me a total of around £15k in total at that point. Looking back I think you think you will eventually win it all back.
I like to think I'm not a stupid man, I have a good job and am normally pretty level headed. It just shows anyone can fall into this trap.
The family didn't know (and still don't) anything about this and in fairness even though I have now reached my first anniversary of not having any form of bet I still hate myself for the deceit. That won't go away until I don't owe a penny to anyone.
I was lucky that my credit rating is still good and have been able to move my debt to a card that accrues no interest for two years. If I hadn't have stopped when I did - this wouldn't have been an option.
For me my epiphany came after a particularly bruising encounter on an online slot (that increased my debt by another £1000) and having retreated to the bathroom and locked the door, I curled up in a ball on the floor and thought how the hell am I going to get out of this mess. I decided I just HAD to stop gambling.
At that point, I had an account with Gamcare but somehow I couldn't access it and despite a couple of live chats, I never got it sorted out. So there I was going into 2018 on my own, with no support. Just my willpower to keep me from betting.
I know many of you now are in the same position I was then and would just like to share my thoughts and coping strategies on how to keep the devil in its box.
For me it's almost turned into a superstition. I was very lucky, that in January, one of the slot sites emailed me to say they were crediting my account with nearly £1000 - apparently, I was owed from contributions to a jackpot that had not been paid out. At the time I thought this was genuine but subsequently realised this was just a ploy to get me playing again - how low a trick is that?
Anyway, I withdrew the money and paid it off my credit card.
The point is, this event made me think that good things might continue to happen as long as I keep not gambling. I'm not particularly religious but do feel that all things happen for a reason. From that point, if I ever had the urge... I just thought back to this point.
Secondly, I made sure I kept myself busy. Looking back, I'm sure boredom played a big part in playing the d**n slots in the first place.
After a couple of months, I could see things were definitely changing. I was able to sit down and watch a football match without the urge for several bets. Previously, I had to have about seven different bets on the go - and when they died I'd double down on new ones...
As I sit here now, I've managed to clear about half the debt and have a plan that should see me debt free by the end of 2019. That will be a fantastic feeling.
I haven't sat down to write this to get the plaudits and the Well Dones and I appreciate everybodies case is different. There is one common theme though - We are all better off not gambling. Even if you manage to reduce your debt by £20, that is a GOOD thing towards things getting better. If interest payments are crippling you - there are organisations out there that can help. Don't be afraid to engage with them.
You really can do it.
I am literally in this position right now, I’m a slot man and I’ve ruined myself with it, your words keep me slightly optimistic that if one person can do it then I can, I’ve hit rock bottom myself, thanks for your post
Fairwarrior, how are you doing? Have you managed to stop?
If you need anyone to talk too (even if it's just to vent) drop me a line.
There is a way out...
Also, thank you everyone for your kind words!
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