Completely ruining my life

Well done for posting here, at least that means your acknowledging that you have a problem. As you see from other posts and stories on here you are most certainly not alone or unique. I too am a compulsive gambler and know the misery you are feeling right now, but I also know that this cycle will inevitably continue until you commit to doing something about it. 

When I hit rock bottom for the final time I eventually plucked up the courage to go to my nearest GA meeting, after a few months it of going, listening to others, telling my story, reading the literature it stated to sink in that I could make recovery a part of my life and it has changed me for the better. Its not an easy addiction to tackle but then again nothing worth having is. 

You can start the process by putting some simple blockers in place, sign up for Gamstop and self exclude so you can no longer gamble online. Go to your nearest GA meeting and get everything off your chest there, listen to the advice given and make a commitment to the recovery program.

You can do this and you will change your life for the better if you do.

Best of luck

Thanks for your reply and advice Joe. 

I have looked into a local GA meeting and will be going next week. 

just struggling to accept my losses right now! 

Sounds very similar to my story. I lost just over 10k on the 15th March last year in one drunken online spree. Haven’t gambled since. Still paying off the debt but I m getting there and it’s so nice to see clean bank statements every month. Blocking online has been a life changer so start there. Do you feel able to tell your partner about it?

Hi Paulscott, cheers for the reply. 

Glad to hear you are almost a year GF well done! 

I would love to tell my partner so then I won’t have to cover up a massive hole in my finances but we are just coming out of a bad patch and I have promised her before that I haven’t gambled for over a year(complete lies)! I don’t think we would make it if I put this on her now! 

You said about blocking software? What one do you use? I have just tried betblocker and it doesn’t seem to work?

cheers.

Hi,

Make your story the success story, 

Through GamCare and the support you will find, will motivate you in the correct direction.

One has to watch for those moments when relapse is highly likely, you move beyond and to higher and higher strengths. There is no shortcut to building up the bank of days ... gamble free, and on that parallel your bank account as well.

Believe in yourself and you will succeed, and be watchful for those varying states of mind that you will encounter, as the cancer lurks within and can strike anytime, even after a decade of being clean.

Stay clean and stay in charge.

All the best.

Thank you for the words of encouragement Pica.

I’m completely gutted but in a strange way excited to see what the future holds! 

cheers

It totally melts my head , been gambling for nearly 40 yrs barred myself from online last year which was a good move but find myself standing in books on a Saturday and capable of losing 3-5 hundred quid a wk no probs . Need to stop ASAP  , few health problems starting which are 100% gambling caused . Day one ! 

Hi ?? 

The last time I logged on here was 2017. I have been a gambling addict since 2015... anyway, was doing really well for the last year.. ‘controlled’ at least. Christmas just gone was expensive, my son is now 15 and his birthday is in November too! It sent me into panic! I gambled my savings... back to square one, the same place I was 5 years ago. I have tried to block me accounts and put limits but just opened new ones. 

I Finally took the plunge 10 days ago and reported my bank cards missing ( new start)... also contacted the bank, they have BLOCKED gambling from my new card! I tried to gamble last night, but physically couldn’t! I feel this is the only way for me as I gamble on Slots online. 

I suggest you try the same? Shut down PayPal etc too. 

I wish you the best of luck. You can stop. 

K x

Last night I lost £700. I have left myself with absolutely nothing for over a month. I’m 30 years old and have to grovel to my dad for food and gas money which I may not even get. This has happened a few times in the past year. I wish you the best on your journey.

Hi. Sorry for delayed reply. Here is the link for gamstop which I ve used to block for 5 years. https://www.gamstop.co.uk  
Best wishes my friend.