Can not stop gambling

Dear @jacob-2, 

Thank you for sharing on the forum today. 

I'm really sorry to hear it is having such a big impact on how you are feeling and your mental health, there are services there to support you more with that side of things too such as the Samaritans and you can reach out to them on 116123.

I hope by reading some other stories on the forum it will bring you comfort in knowing there is a way forward from this and recovery is absolutely possible.

Please know we are here to support those affected by others gambling too, our advisors are available 24 hours a day on the helpline on 0808 8020 133 or via live chat. Do get in contact and we can talk everything through and look at all of the support available to you. 

Please do continue posting and sharing your story, 

Best wishes, 

Sophie C 

Forum Admin.

This is me in a nutshell im in the exact same boat just dont see how i can stop its the worst addiction of them all id love to get to no ppl on this site and try and talk and help each other stop ??

Hey All,

Proud if everyone for being here.  I never gambled a day in my life until after I t

Hi ballie,

We talk all the time, bail one another out, through talking. I gambled for 48 years now I've learned it's as much about listening as talking. Are you ready  ?. Please return & we'll talk some more.

Best Wishes

AL

Turned 40.  Over the next ten years gambling shredded my life and led to a divorce from my former wife, 1/2 of the time with my children (and dog) being taken away, and the loss of our house that was near a million dollar value. 
This time is different for me because this time I can say I WANT to quit.  Mostly because it is such a huge waste of valuable time and money.  So I can spend more time with my kids while they are young and have the money to pay for fun things to do.  Exercise, see old friends and make new ones,  find a new hobby.  These are the things we all need to do.  Also, my gambling was an off shoot of an undiagnosed mental health issue.  I didn’t have any control and certainly purposely do harm to my family in this way.  Forgiving myself is the most challenging thing.  
I am not a very strong minded person.  If I can quit, you can quit for sure!

Keep fighting everyone!

Greg

Dear Jacob,

I often read the forum,but I rarely express my need to support.But as a older *ex-degenerated gambler*I want to tell you can do it and beat this horrible addiction!!

I was heavily addicted for over 11years,now I'm heading to 2 years GF.

And I completely understand how bad you are feeling at the moment,but if you really want to change your life-the time is NOW.

You are still very young.When I stopped I was 40 and I can see how many damages I did mainely to myself.I mean the fact that career wise I need to start from the beginning like I was 20 again-as I lost all the experience,skills,confidence etc.That's truly painful.

How did I do it?

In my case I banned myself from every casino for life and I shifted my thoughts to some new hobby(music).And whenever the tinnest idea related to my favourite game appears-I start to think about something different immediately.That works so far.

Besides when I see it from the persepective how lost I was,how I wanted to runaway from life,that I really never won any major cash etc.that also helps to keep me away from this cruel addiction.

Please,start acting now.Giving up isn't as hard as you think.The quality of life change dramatically.

All the best in your recovery journey?

@forum-admin 

Hi Sophie thank you so much for the advice will use the information to get help and hopefully start of recovery

@bailie1010 

Hi bailie I feel the same I need to talk to someone In the same position I think now every time I get an urge to gamble I am going to talk to someone on here take my mind of things hopefully it helps 

@jacob-2 hey jacob yes defo mite be good to get other ppl perspectives and wats helped them and why they gamble maybe help each other out and stop this disease

@slowlearner yes al im ready the time to stop is now

I’m in same boat , I stopped about 5 days ago I have lied wasted money I’m 59 it’s so hard though because I’m so isolated where I live I do it will through boredom. He do you Cope not gambling what strategy do you use ? 

Know how you feel, I have made the decision to stop again, hopefully I can succeed. Sick and tired of losing my wages every month, even if I win I put it back and more on top. I realise I have no control I am a compulsive gambler , can't deny it, I loved it , and it consumed my life and made me miserable and ashamed of myself. I am going to use all the tools I can find. This forum, the cbt course, blocking with gabban , I really don't want gambling in my life anymore. Wishing everyone the best in there recovery.