30 years of hurt

So...37 days and still going strong with no real genuine thoughts of gambling. Still think of sport occasionally in terms of odds but old habits die hard I guess. Not even looked at racing or interested in doing placepots and avoided my usual downfall of golf. Now here's my current problem. I like to put bets on to give me interest in future...for example football season accas and winner of the European tour golf money list. When I gave up 37 days ago pre-season stuff was doing rubbish so didn't really give it a thought. I have bets on the European golf money list on Tyrrell Hatton to finish in top 4. I notice....somewhat typically...that now I've stopped betting he has won twice in the last month. Also my footy Accas, one of which is man city wolves Wigan and Luton is also now looking a lot better. This still gives me the interest in the footy until May. Irregardless of how these do I really enjoy these small stakes accas as it gives me interest throughout the footy season....or indeed the golf. For anyone who used to indulge in sports betting....are these totally no go areas in the future or if managed and controlled by someone else could these still be an option? I know gambling is gambling so my head states this is not happening in the future. But it also seems reasonable that as long as it was a controlled one off at the start of the football season it isn't going to hurt long term as it is a bit of fun. It sounds like I'm fooling myself and have no interest in putting on any bets currently but there's part of me thinking it's just like putting a lottery ticket on. It's a couple of quid for a dream of a win. Interested to hear what people think.....especially people who enjoy sports betting and can relate to my predicament.

Hi mate,

Sports betting was a massive part of my life, but it's roulette that nearly destroyed me. I have a season ticket so I'm always surrounded by people betting on sports and it used to bother me but it doesn't now. I used to think I could just get on sports and not play roulette but I would always end up playing regardless. Sports betting would always just be a gateway to gambling on other things so any betting is bad betting if your a compulsive gambler. I don't do any gambling whatsoever such as lottery, scratch cards or even raffle tickets. Complete abstinence is the way for me because I know if I slip I would just end back to square one and the horrible mess I was in.

Hope this helps

Dan

Hi nobbles,

I had a similar situation to this. My main gambling was on sports bet, I genuinly enjoyed doing them. I would love saturdays where I would get up go to the gym, come home get some breakfast then hit the bookies where I would study all the stats and line ups before doing my bets. Then I would go watch the games, if they were on TV, down the local with my mates. I use to love this.

When my gambling became a problem I would do silly bets on roulette or slots, so I convinces myself that if I could just stick to my 'normal' 'fun' bets I would be fine adn could still enjoy it. But it woud all come crashing down as I hit rock bottom, the main reason I kept going like any addict was I deep down did not want to stop gambling and would not admit the seriousness of my probelm and convince myself my £10 accumulator was fine as I did not want to give it up.

My mindset has since changed now I am a regular GA attendee, I look back on 20 years of gambling and realise that 80% of it was 'normal' and 'fun' bets but I have nothing to show for it while I have given the bookies thousands of pounds. At GA I was adviced to dispence with all froms of gambling (even raffle tickets), as compulsive gamblers it may start off slow but it will eventually worm its way back in to being out of control. Your miindset needs to be all or nothing if you really wan tot beat it.

Thanks Joe90 and Brummyboy for your comments. I will take them on board. The one thing I've learned as time goes on is the worst thing you can do is have a win. It's never enough is it so you always want to try again. Six weeks down now but I feel as if it isn't getting easier. I'm now past the initial anger and hate of what it's done to my life and am starting to feel a lot more boredom. Dangerous territory but still abstaining and that is the main point at the end of the day. Working for the next three days so hoping to get my game head back on! ODAAT. Keep stronstrong everyone else out there.x

Felt it was important to comment even if things haven't gone well. Day short of 8 weeks and gambled again.100 pound wasted. It's not the money but the breaking of my abstinence I'm gutted about. Once that feeling hits you and you start sense went out the window. Wife was away for weekend and got bored by the Sunday and back to square one. Trying to start again but every time I give up 2 months seems to be my limit as it seems to build and build I til I can't help myself. Told wife straight away so at least I'm being honest with her. Hope everyone else is beating their demons but here goes again. Counselling with gamcare tomorrow so hope to get back on track. ODAAT.

Nobbles - the reason you only get 2 months is because you're not doing everything that you need to do.

You're gambling brain is hardwired to look for opportunities like being alone, having spare time, having money, etc. In the early days (ie. first 12 months) these are the dangers that you must watch for and work around.

Treat your last bet as a 'slip' not the end of everything. Work out what it has to teach you, and it won't be wasted.

If you don't want to do any part of it ask yourself why (I guarantee its the gambler in you that doesn't want his loopholes blocked up).

All the best
Mike

Gamcare removed the link I posted in the previous comment, which contained detailed information on what has worked for me for the last 25 years.

But to read it click on my name, follow the link to my addiction blog, and read the piece in the center entitled “Recovery Strategy - Staying off gambling one day at a time”.