Hi all.
I'll keep it short.
Id been 'clean' for over 2 years till January this year when, for reasons I really don't know, I started it all off again. It began with 100 pound then 200 then 300 etc etc you all know the story.
I hit the bottom last week when I blew 2k of my wife's money. I confessed all to her then went to my parents and done the same with them, I really didn't want to but I thought the more truth I tell to family the more support I will get. Yes they were all angry sad mad confused but over the last few days they have calmed down and agreed to help.
My first step was cancelling my cards and giving the new ones to my dad (he's 70 this year old git).
Second step was promising my family and myself I'm done with it all.
third step was coming here and hoping for some help/tips on where to go what to do next.
just so you all know I'm 6 days free and long may it continue.
Cheers, dave
Morning Dave,
Welcome back and well done for owning up to the forum about your slip. A positive you must take from this is the two years you were gamble free, you know yourself how you coped in these years and also the barriers you put in place to stop gambling. Losing the wife's and parents money terrible and damaging as it was sounds to be the CG in you chasing the previous loses. Sit yourself down mate and think hard what the "trigger" was that undid the two years hard work. This is what you need to address. I spoke at my GA meeting the other week about if I ever did gamble again and my first bet lost I know I wouldn't be able to stop there, I'd bet again and lose control. I hate losing and the CG in me feeds of this weakness.
Can I ask why you've handed the new cards to your dad and not the wife? Also did you attend GA meetings in your to years?
Glad there's calm after the storm, now the hard work begins again for you. Building trust with the family and also a positive bank balance. Congratulations on 6 days already, heres to plenty more and a gamble free future.
I'll keep an eye on your posts. All the best.
Hey shep
Thanks for the reply.
I have thought long and hard about why I started again and I'm really not 100% sure. The only thing that change in my life at that time was I got a promotion at work so maybe the extra stress or extra money was a trigger but I just don't know.
The card thing was my idea just so they are out of the house and I have no access at all to them, no cards no gambling.
My wife while very angry to start with has been very good and understanding, I've agreed to pay it back at £50 a week.
Day 7 today going to take the daughter out for a bit take my mind off things.
Here's to a brighter and happier future for all
cheers.
Sorry you've been bitten again by the gambling bug.
I started my gamble free journey in 2009 and on several occasions, also found myself falling back into gambling. Like you started with £50, then £100, then before I knew it I found for I went through a period of a few months where I was getting fully sucked back in and was doing £300 or £400 a month.
You've done the right thing, in owning up and getting help from your family.
Even 7 years down the line, I have blocks in place, which I continue to review and update if necessary. Had my fingers burnt too many times in the past to know, I must continue to keep my guard and blocks up.
Welcome back man, sorry to hear about your recent gambling problems. I have had plenty times over my 3 year recovery where I have been drawn back into the gambling scene. It seems that it will always be there in the background but it is something like Steve says that I must constantly review.
7 days in is fantastic, just take it one day at a time. If you have beaten this before I have every faith that you will do it again 🙂
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