Day 1 now is the time

I'm day 1 as well. Let's beat this. Not sure if you interested but maybe we could support each other seeing as we are at the same starting point. I'm dangerously close to losing my house. I have come to the conclusion that I have no will power whatsoever so need to lock down my salary into non easily accessible accounts.

Good luck and here's to a better future

Morning

Im not in a position to offer either of you words of wisdom yet, but I'm a compulsive gambler too and at the start of my journey. So far I have blocked myself from every site I can, but need K9 software installed on my devices and I have to hand my finances to someone else, it is the only way I believe, otherwise the gambler inside will work it's evil and I will convince myself of that 'just one bet' line. If I have no access to money or a place to gamble then I can't! I just have to get over the hurdle of asking for help and forgiveness.

You can do this!

Im more than happy to support everyone through this. As I'm here for the support myself. Talking about it on here makes me realise how bad I really do have it. I have said some many times that's it now but the next day I'm back to it. It's coming up 12 now and I haven't even looked at the racing so that's a start for me. It's definitely going to be 1 day at a time. Dog ears, what is it you gamble on have you tried steps to stop it. I have lost my house before. I have learnt a lot since then but if I didn't have the salary I have then I properly would be losing it again now. I'm close to losing my mind thanks

Hi Riley, well done on 12 days, that is a great achievment. Have a read of other diaries and you will find you are not alone. Put measures in place to prevent further gambling, consider counselling. It's great that you are happy to support others on this forum however, you are just starting your journey and it's fine to just look after yourself at this time.

Onwards and upwards. Keep posting your diary xx

Thanks Annie but it's only been the 1 day. I ment that I have just got to 12 o clock and I haven't looked at the racing which is a achievement in itself for me. I am going to find this really hard but I am going to get through it. I'm not giving my mind or money away anymore. I'm not gonna let it get the better of me no more. Reading other people's story really put in to perspective how much of a horrible habit this is and shows I am not alone

Hi there. I too am day 1. Been a long hard slog to admit where I have got to in life's journey. I have gambled on and off for 40 years. More on than off if I am honest. I have tried will power to no avail. I now have a partner who knows the full extent of my gambling and the lies and conivering I am capable of. Even to the extent of lying about the cost of a loaf of bread and pint of milk just so I had a pound for a scratch card. There is no easy answer to our gambling addiction. Just the knowledge that given the funds we will gamble. By cutting of any and I mean any access whatsoever to money is the first step to helping control the addiction.

Hello aer1983 read your post. Good plan about handing over your finances. No cards or money means no gambling. I also handed over all my forms of identity to stop me accessing money over the counter in my bank. I now walk around with nothing and am hoping this will see me over the weak moments. All the best in your journey.

My gambling addiction is around online casinos and FOBTs. Started on fruit machines in my mums pub. I tried counselling and managed to stop for 100 days. But I think that worked because I had a weekly target ie I wanted to prove each week to my counsellor that I hadn't gambled. One bit of advice that she gave me was to try to fill the void and replace the buzz that gambling provides. Exercise , reading volunteering whatever. Gambling filled my life. It's important to find other healthy activities. However the key has to be to remove the access to money. I have set up standing orders do that money is filtered into non easy access accounts.

Anyway day 1 nearly complete but the real test is the next time I see a bookies or have spare time on my laptop.

It has to stop. It's destructive.

How's everyone getting on? Stay clean guys. It'll be well worth it.

Day 2 today, going ok. Been off ill and still didn't look at the racing. I feel good I myself knowing that this is now my time. My dad rang to ask if I wanted Cheltenham tickets had to turn them down. It's either all or nothing. If I can get the first couple months out the way I can do anything. How are you doing. You feeling good?

I've just joined tonight, I've been struggling with gambling the past 10 years. I have a good job, nice house, nice car, and perfect wife, I have not a penny to my name tho. It seems like every penny I get paid I gamble, I sign up to online casinos, I gamble until I feel guilty then block my account with that site. This then happens again a few days later when the guilt goes. I have had some amazing wins on sites but nothing that could cover every penny I've ever gambled. I've got holidays to look forward to and home improvements I'd love to do but I can't save a single penny. I just gamble it all. I've given all my cards to my wife so I can't open new sites to gamble on. I just don't want to get to that point where I loose everything through gambling. I can go to casinos on holidays where I physically have no access to any more money once I've lost and I know this in my head, it's mainly online gambling and betting shops im struggling with. I just need some advice on what now, what now I've made the decision that enough is enough and the motivation not to gamble. I see there are a few people in here that are on day 1 too and I would love to go a whole year without gambling, right now 2 days would be more than amazing.

Coming on here was the best thing for me. Instead of loading up a betting site I just log on here and read the stories. So many of them relate to my problem. Yours seems very much like mine. I could be a very well off man but I'm not because of gambling. I have no value for money. I let my wife but what ever she wants because it will never amount for what I lose which is so sad. It's good you have recognised your problem. I find coming on here is helping me a lot as I had a habbit of just checking results and looking at odds. Now I have replaced that temptation with this site. Keep going buddy you can beat it if you want it. Your so much better than chucking the cash down the drain as am I

Yep another day ticked off. No urges but just frustrated about what I have wasted over the years and I'm also worried about the future. However the good thing is that no-one has got my money today. It is all mine. It is hard but the right thing to do is abstain. Be positive all.

Hi Barneya2007,
it's day 2 for me after 40 years of gambling. I find all the advice given very helpful but only you truly know what will work for you. How honest have you been to loved ones about the extent of your gambling. The thought filled me with horror before I told my partner. I dribbled the truth out over months till finally I realised all or nothing. She had lost complete trust in me. So had to face the fact it was now or never. All the lies came out and I could see the relief in her face as she listened. It won't be easy rebuilding her trust but I now sleep easier knowing there are no secrets.
That's what we do as compulsive gamblers destroy ourselves and loved ones in the process.
My point is to truly give it 100% you have to break the habit. Which can only be done with a fresh start. No money in your pocket,no cards in your wallet no forms of identity( cash over the counter from the bank) ( pawn shops need Id also) is a good step to breaking the triangle talked about in many of the posts.
Keep strong and keep on posting.