This is the first time in my 15 year plus gambling addiction i have sought some help. Over the years i have lost a fair but of cash that has only been balanced by a few 5 figure wins. I had kicked it almost exclusively for about a year but have spent over a grand since the turn of the year my buggest losses in a good while. One night in january i was down about 5k but managed to claw back around 4200 whuch i thought may have been a catalyst to frighten me back into submission. Tonight i dropped another 5 ton on slots. In the schene of things it may not seem a lot but i have a young family and i am racked with guilt. I have a highly addictive personality, which crosses the 3 worst addictions alcohol, C*****e and gambling (not every day but i find when i do either i binge). I find they all fuel each other. Apologies if i sound stupid but i want to catch myself before i slip back into my dark days. I had been doing so well for so long i thought i was over the worst of it. I have a decent enough job were i can mask my issues and never miss work etc so everyone thinks everything is fine. I realise i need to cut my vices out before i end up in trouble...
Hi Unluckyguy,
Well done on posting and talking about your addictions. I like you have lost a lot of cash over the years.
Joining this site has helped me immensely. It made me realise a few things;
1. I am not alone in this battle. The world has others like me who are addicted to the world of gambling
2. If you read some of the stories people have gone through and the devastation it has caused, you’d never have entertained the idea. I had been told about gambling and it’s ability to destroy a persons life but thought I was smarter than it and could control it. Sadly how wrong was I. Evaluate what you will lose and if you are ok with losing it. Money is nothing and over time grow but your family and the moments you share / house and job are.
3. Signing up to Gamstop was a must. That sits at the back of my head knowing I can’t gamble. I read some people set the ban for 6 months. I know everyone has their reasons but for me it indicates they’ve not really accepted that they are gamblers. I went for 5 years as I don’t want to be here in 5 years going through this process again. Hopefully I will be here Gamble Free.
4. Change is possible. You can do it if you want to.
5. Spend time with your family. You can never get that back. Create moments and take photographs on your phone. You can look at them on your low days and smile and go I helped made that little person or little people.
6. Set yourself goals. Set yourself small goals. Save £100 one month, then the next etc. In 12 months you’ll have £1200. Then treat yourself to something or your family.
6. Don’t dwell on what you’ve lost. You can’t change the past. Try to forget about your losses and move forward.
I don’t know how to advise about the drink and C*****e addiction as I’ve never experienced those addictions. I guess for me if I was in your shoes I’d look at what I have to lose.
I’m not sure if this makes much sense but I hope it does.
You are now on day one gamble free.
CJ.
Due to the way this forum works on my phone I thought I’d add a few things I have done to help me.
Removed all cards from my wallet and and removed the temptation to go into a bookmaker. With no or limited cash I can’t gamble. Ive given them to my mother to hold.
Disabled the gambling option on my card so if I did have it then I am Unable to use it for gambling. I use Starling Bank which is FSCS protected.
Move a small amount of money a day into a little pocket to remind me how well I am doing. At the end of a year my goal is to use that on Something I want. Whether it be a holiday or whatever.
Keep your chin up. You can do it if you want it.
CJ.
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