Day 2

We're all in this together , whether you gamble slots, roulette , or sports like myself, from what i've been reading we all want the same thing .. which is for us to be able to live a life without every day thinking about gambling. You've done a good thing giving your sister control of your savings, I lost 5k a few days ago and now in my overdraft to see me through this month. Taking it day by day and putting blocks in place is a good start. I come on a couple of times a day now to read other peoples stories and it helps big time. Payday will also be my 1st true test after actually saying for the first time i will no longer gamble. Good luck and and make sure you keep coming on here.

Hi Guy74.

Yes you must let that anxiety go. A chat with the doctor and counselling will be very important for you now.

Youve made the right move with the blocks and handing control of money over. They must be solid blocks and if you can discuss it with your family again that you are not to have any money back unless they see where its going.

So you are right in that ideally you should be living on a petrol and sandwich allowance while you regain a healthy state of mind.

Do you lead a pressured life at work? Do you feel stressed or depressed? All this can fuel a gambling addiction

Gambling is never the answer. Material possesions arent really the answer. In a gamble free state you will feel serene and thats what its all about. Heaping the pressure off and the things that dont matter.

Gambling is not an income scheme. Even the bookies/ casinos are forced to say it should just be for entertainment but addicts dont even register that. You may be playing for escape. One thing is for sure. Your mind is full of lucky clover and the casino knows exactly what your chances are because they have a nice life with your money.

This is now about finding out who you are. There is no shame in admitting gambling got to you and I hope your family understand how dangerous and strong a gambling addiction can be. Your savings need to be in lockdown while you sort things out.

You will feel good building up the trust again and you should provide receipts for larger outgoings.

There is plenty of help for you and you can get free financial advice from the CAB.

You can and you will completely beat this...come and join us

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Well the worst was stocks and shares. Initially I did a lot of research and did really well but sadly this only enforced or reinstalled my gambling addiction which meant I started betting online and in betting shops after years of not doing so, I a, just fortunate I sold my shares and gave to my sister and that any gambling I did online or betting shops was after I had paid bills so my IVA is still up to date payment wise, I also suffer from mild bi polar and in manic states I am liable to take risks, and at depressed states as now I feel helpless and alone and anxious which at times manifests into various physical symptoms. I am addressing this by starting CBT and cutting down on my alcohol intake. It's amazing how it creeps up on you even after years of abstinence and I am thankful I have asked for help now before defaulting on my bills and IVA and at least knowing my savings are safe with my sister. The only big expenses I am doing now are therapy costs in addition to CBT such as acupuncture and or massage to relax me. I know I am vulnerable right now and am glad I have taken this step. Day 2 and as I waited for a bus there was a lad brooks and it nearly made me feel physically sick just looking at the monstrosity. Well done to the Americans who banned online betting

Day 3 survived without the urge at all to gamble. Organised my finances for the remaining month, a month of austerity to teach me a lesson so I can minimise asking my sister for some of my money. Amazing how little I am finding how I can survive day to day mind you I am lucky I get free lunch at work which means I only need to eat lightly at work, cancelled some non essential payments and memberships and today I feel more positive about the outlook

Great you are doing the right things. Cutting down the alchohol is also a great move...Plenty of fruit juice and healthly food 🙂

Yes stocks and shares are a dangerous game and quite a few people on the forum have said how its linked to a gambling personality.

Its all about that healthy sate of mind so keep doing the counselling. It is available via the doctor so dont be scared of the doctor if you feel stressed and down.

It is about letting things go. It doesnt really matter what you own in that sense. The gambling industry are your enemy and that was never the answer.

It will all come together and you will wonder why you ever did it. Keep earning and keep happy

Best wishes

Yes. And it is a disgrace they are allowed to advertise so much on TV. Stocks and shares are also dangerous especially the AIM market. Although you can always sell a share that took up so much of my time constantly checking share prices every day, I had built a couple of grand up to 12 grand and some poor decisions and taking money out to feed an ever increasing gambling habit saw that value fall to 6 grand which is why and when I sought help. Sold all the shares and gave the money to my sister. Self excluded myself everywhere I could think of and giving her money every month instead of my stock broker. Today is day 5. I have no compulsion to visit a bookies or play online but I still look at stocks and shares now and again and can see how the aim market is rigged as are the chat rooms for shares. I am lucky to get out with some capital and have a few hundred quid left to last till next pay day from my stupid slip on Sunday. So I am pleased today will be day 5 of a gambling free life and my therapy continues next Tuesday. I think the next big test will be pay day so as that approaches I will for sure come back on here for support. Through my sister I have been amazingly frugal and realised how little I need to survive day by day by being careful with money and I am lucky I have that support. It doesn't help I have mild bi polar as when I have manic episodes or dark moods I am even more prone to lapses

One full week and no gambling or urge. Still managed to refrain from asking for some money as I have been very frugal the last week so hopefully the last £500 last Sunday will be the last ever amount I spend on gambling. Must keep away from stocks and shares as that is also a form of gambling that sets my mindset back down that dark path

Nice, I lost £2000 this weekend and I have £50 for the month. I won £4000 last Wednesday and it's all gone. I paid some debts, but have borrowed again since. Hate this. I'm on day one of not gambling. Stick with me mate and I'll stick with you. We can sort this. Gambling is awful just like cancer... It really is evil mate. Keep our money and get a buzz at seeing it grow. I've had enough of the ups and downs. And now I want to just pay my debts and be done with it. Feeling strong this time. First time I've used gam care etc... I believe in you.

Well I have not really had any urge to gamble at all. But the testing period of payday is coming up. I have managed to be very frugle this month and only had to ask my sister for £150 back of the money I gave her for day to day expenses. Payday will be the big test and I need to be strong then. Already set a standing order to send her money that day so I am not tempted