Thought I’d give this a shot along side all the other things I’ve decided to put in place..Gamban, beacon counselling sessions, self exclusion online and in shop. ( if there anything else anyone can think of let me know, I like sound of hypnosis therapy anyone had it?
a quick brief as I’ve notice there’s a few similar stories, we’ve probably all got the same or heading down that road if we don’t change.
started off in my late teens odd couple of quid on footy very controlled, as I broke into my early 20s stakes got higher, horses/greyhounds got involved and also the devil (roulette) each and everyday spending not only money but time. I was doing a good 8 hour shift racing about. I finally went GA after the mrs said it’s getting out of hand went in there nice watch on good few hundred in my pocket listening to these guys who are rock bottom. Got home told the mrs not for me that gaff in reality I look back now and think it’s just cause I wasn’t ready to stop.
anyway another year passes am now selling my belongings to bet and buy back if I’d of won (never happened) so I give GA a second shot age 23 wanted it a little bit more now.
went each week then boom am 3 months in bet free walking past the bookies not even batting an eyelid then it comes to my 4 month I asked someone to put me a bet on cos it still felt like I wasn’t gambling..yeah you guessed it back in Fred dones pocket.
today am in about 9k debt about 3k to loans the rest family, on the verge of break up due to becoming a liar, low self esteem, thief, (taking without people permission to win to put back). The positives I have is a well paid job, good health, determination and a plan.Â
within 6 months I will be debt free and but next 12 weeks 90% of my wage is outgoings.
but I need to channel my focus also wanting to stop and go beyond 6 months.Â
It’s mad when you think that we’re all reactive instead of pro active..like we come on here wanting to change straight after a loss, is that good or bad?Â
start CBT therapy Tuesday 8 sessions. i will update each month how am getting on. Long road but gym work and plenty of keep the mind occupied should do it.Â
@newman
I am on day 60 today and I can relate to this post a lot Newman. I come on here near enough each day to remind myself and potentially help others with sharing my experiences too.Â
honestly I wouldn’t mind trying cognitive behavioural therapy as Even tho I am 60 days clean I still have a lot of issues myself. I hope you can hold on for the next 6 months and get as much help as possible while taking each day as it comes and not gamble.
I hope you give GA another try as it’s helped me a lot in the past too.
take it easy
dave101
Hello Dave101
Well done on 60 days gamble free - one day at a time. How wonderful!
Please feel free to call our Helpline on 0800 8020 133 or using our LiveChat option to discuss the 8 week CBT Course with one of our Advisors.
The CBT Course can be taken in your own time and at your own pace with ongoing support available to you.
Recovery from problem gambling is ongoing and about moving forward, watching out for complacency and working on personal growth. Therefore, CBT is always worth the effort.
Once again Dave101 well done on achieving 60 days!
Best
Amanda
Forum Admin
Hi @newman and welcome. I’m day 144 now. My story is different to yours but I share the dreaded gambling addiction. If I can I would suggest registering with GAMSTOP and hitting the 5 year button. It’s a tough step but being honest with you the best one. For me I didn’t previously and I relapsed. I just couldn’t go with willpower alone. The counselling is a great idea also well done. There is another course that you can access via here. It’s called gamchange and it really helped me. It’s online based x hope this helps somewhat. Wishing you every successÂ
i hear you, it must be hard...I'm suicidal cos I have to live with the selfish sick ways of mybrother who is an addict, no joke, samaritans on the phone and I am counting out my pils to release from this hell...and bet the mods won't allow my post letting you know what it does to us - your victimsÂ
Hi Newman,
I could relate a lot to your post above. Very similar story to yours in that I started to gamble in my late teens and it spiralled then in my 20s. Unlike you I didn't attend GA or try and arrest my gambling really in any way and I found myself in a lot more debt than you in my early 30s. My missus caught me out two years ago and since then I've been on the path to recovery. It's not easy, especially at the start. It sounds like you've got the determination to turn your life around though so I wish you all the luck with that. In terms of what's the "best" way to recover, I don't think there is a silver bullet. Some people go on will power alone, others GA, others counselling. I've tried a bit of all three myself and they all help in their various ways. For me, it was understanding what my triggers were and knowing that you will still have urges from time to time and living with those urges. They don't make you a bad person if you want to have a bet, you just have to way up the pros and cons of acting on that impulse. Communication with loved ones is key though, so I would suggest you tell your partner and family how you feel and that will really help. The GA and counselling if you decide to go that route is very beneficial for finding out some of the reasons that caused you to gamble compulsively. No one really sets out to get massively in debt, there are usually some reasons behind the spiralling out of control. I dug a bit deeper in my recovery and found some of these reasons (you will never find everything I don't think) and I know now what might trigger me into another bad situation. Anyway best of luck in your recovery and I hope you get to where you want to be.
Cheers, Happy
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