I’ve done it - I’ve actually done it. 1 whole year gamble free and I’m so proud of myself. This time last year I was in such a horrendous place. I was close to ending it all. I got stuck in such a rut - taking out more credit to gamble in the hope I would get that big win to pay everything off. I stopped enjoying gambling by this point and did it purely to try and fix my situation. I finally broke down and told my partner who thankfully was absolutely incredible. He took full control over my finances, helped me set up a debt management plan and I signed up to GamStop. I’m due to finish my debt management plan in December 2021 but I’ve been so on top of my finances that I’m hoping to finish it December this year! My advice to anyone going through this is talk to someone. Yes you feel shame, yes you feel embarrassed but gambling is no joke. It’s an illness and a self soothing exercise to take you away from real life. How many of you can actually say that you withdraw every time you win? It doesn’t happen and the hole just gets deeper and deeper. I never did. Sign up to GamStop - the relief once I entered my details was immense. Knowing I couldn’t gamble made it so much easier to carry on. Step Change debt charity were and are incredible. They listened to me cry my eyes out down the phone and literally did everything for me. My creditors understood my situation and didn’t judge at all. Yes some of them have been awkward but they stopped bothering me after a couple of months. I’ve not come on here to gloat. This website helped me so much and seeing people recover gave me hope. I hope I can do the same for some of you. I wouldn’t say I’m cured. I wouldn’t ever trust myself to just put ten pounds on the bingo ever again, but the satisfaction of using that ten pounds to treat myself to a coffee and a slice of cake in a cafe and not have that dark cloud hanging over me is what keeps me going. Times are tough right now for a lot of people - but please please please know that there is a way out. Don’t wait for that big win. Be the bigger person and quit now.Â
All my love xÂ
Well done on a year gamble free and for such a positive, inspiring post to others just joining.
I have been here a while and have just got to 50 days gf so I really hope I am where you are in the future but even after a short time, I know everything you say is true. There a life after gambling, a much happier, healthier one so I hope some of the new members read your post and take inspiration from it and know there is hope.Â
All the best,
Lively
Dear LCP5634,
Just a quick message to say a big well done on your one year gambling free. It's clearly not been an easy journey getting to where you are today so thank you too for taking the time to write your reflections in your very honest post. I am sure that others reading will take a lot of support and encouragement from your words.Â
Wishing you all the very best for the future,
Helen
Forum AdminÂ
LCP,
Fabulous achievement. Well done.
I love reading a post like that. Seeing how a life can be turned around is inspiring and a thing of beauty.
RR
Congrats. A year gambling free is a massive achievement.Â
Wow what a great post xxx Well done, we can all do this, I'm hoping to join you in December being a year gamble free too, then I will build from there... Lots of Love Adam
Great achievement, super post, well done.
Well done on a year gamble free and for such a positive, inspiring post to others just joining.
I have been here a while and have just got to 50 days gf so I really hope I am where you are in the future but even after a short time, I know everything you say is true. There a life after gambling, a much happier, healthier one so I hope some of the new members read your post and take inspiration from it and know there is hope.Â
All the best,
Hello Lively,
Â
Thank-you for your reply.
Congrats on your 50 days gf! Each day ticked off is a huge achievement and you should never get tired of that feeling. There is definitely hope, and there is definitely a happier life out there without gambling.Â
I hit rock bottom but I'm finally on cloud nine. I wish you all the best on your journey x
Lively
Â
Wow what a great post xxx Well done, we can all do this, I'm hoping to join you in December being a year gamble free too, then I will build from there... Lots of Love Adam
Looking forward to reading your post on 1 year gamble free!! You've got this Adam xxxxxx
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