it's been a while since i felt the need for support... so i'd better address it i suppose.
I began gambling when i was 16 as a bit of fun (didnt we all) as it was something my father had always done while i was growing up; and to cut a long story short, a bit of fun turned into a habit and a habit into a problem... A big one. 8 years later after many arguments, tears and broken promises it took my fiancee to leave me with my newborn son for it to finally hit home that i was addicted to gambling and needed help. That night was the 4th Dec 2012. That night was the night i joined this forum, and that night was the beginning of the new me. It was so tough to start with (may i add i was a betting shop manager at the time!!) but after spending night after night on here i soon realised that i was not alone. (FAO JamesP - honestly mate please keep doing what you do. You made such a difference to me with the advice you gave, just the fact that you replied let me know someone was listening so thank you) anyway... its been well over a year now since i last gambled, thankfully i'm back with my partner and my child. Betting rarely even enters my head, i even went to a casino for my friends birthday. spent 2 hours there and never felt any pressure to gamble. However in this last week i dont know why ive been thinking alot more regularly about gambling. Maybe a little complacency / over confidence in myself to abstain. So i thought i'd pop back on here to remind myself of some of the reasons i cant go back to that life. I hope to hear some of your feedback and hope that maybe my story helps even just 1 person to stop / keep on stopping.
Brett
Hi Brett,
Thanks for popping back on and giving us an update. It's always good to hear from someone who's been able to not gamble for a while and what's helped them to achieve that.
Complacency and over confidence are a couple things that sabotage lots and lots of people trying to recover from gambling. It's hard to always be vigilant about not gambling, so yes, coming back onto forums like this can really help remind you why you quit in the first place. Time can sometimes have a way of making people think that things weren't that bad, or that things might be different this time, or "I'm pretty sure I can control it better now", etc. Do whatever you need to do to challenge those thoughts, though, so you can keep your abstinence and recovery in the forefront of your mind. Coming on here from time to time, maybe offering advice or support to others that are in situations similar to what you went through, is a great way to keep yourself on track.
Good to hear the last year has been more peaceful for you. Hang in there, and I hope you continue to do well.
Travis
Hi, I have read your article and alot of it is me. Only in my case my partner and kid stayed. I used to manage betting shoos and started gambling at the age of 16, never seen it as a problem until I was lieing about my wages so I could have a bet and spending the limit on my credit card online.
I blurted out the problem whilst arguing with my partner and since then have not had a bet.
That night was 3 weeks ago, the urges are there but im walking the straight line.
I have the opportunity to bet at any time as I have access to banking but have chosen this way to prove I can do it. Sense of achievement.
To hear you have gone so long without gambling is an inspiration to a lot of us. I'm hoping to win my girlfriend back so your story is especially meaningful. I've only this week begun my journey. So don't give up and end up back at the beginning, because I want to remind you how hard it is at the start. You have your partner back, don't do anything to change that.
Good Luck
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