Denial

Hi

i joined this morning and feel the same I’m scared to block myself because playing helps me block my mind from other problems and sadness but now  at a point I risk losing what little I have left ie partner which I’d be nothing without he doesn’t know how bad my debt are .... yet but still at this moment I want to play just for a chance to put some money back  before he notices .... how can I be so stupid yet itching to do it again 🙁

Hi both of you I am 29 day gf I have got myself in debt gambking and trying to pay things back slowly.i was at risk of losing everything and still wanted to gamble I somehow turned it around I'd gone from a mindset of * I could lose everything will be okay *, to everything means the world to me I can't lose it.

I use candy crush as a distraction no in app purchases but find it helps to divert my mind and give me a similar buzz gambling did. 

I've had the TV off overnight and just watched box sets as trying to avoid gambling adverts

It's hard but I'm trying thankyou for sharing

Posted by: SJA1801

Just joined and am new to all this, took the time to read some of the heart felt accounts and support given, it really is encouraging to read all the posts from real people with real situations similar to my own. Not sure if this is my first day of taking control of my gambling as i am scared of what life is like without placing yet another in play football bet on my phone, I know i have a problem but still feel in denial. Cant see what i am going to do if i stop gambling, i dont like exercise and have an addictive personality, what on earth is going to fill that void ?

I want to be able to gamble responsibly and manage this but in reality i know i cant but am still not ready to fully admit the issue to my family or even consider life without gambling but know something has to change....

Reading some of the posts has already helped and its clear I am not alone and support is out there, it would be interesting to find out what other people have done to fill the void of life without no gambling ?

Thanks for reading.

Hello SJA1801 

Welcome to the Gamcare forum and thank you for sharing with us. It's positive that you recognise a void is likely to arise once you decide to stop gambling and what to do fill that void with is an interesting question to pose on here. I know a lot of our service users find it helpful to think back to a time before their gambling became problematic or to consider how they spent their time during previous periods of abstinence. What hobbies did you have? what have you always had an interest in but have had no free time to follow it through? I feel you may find the answer within you although other suggestions are always welcome here! 

Feel free to contact us on our helpline: 0808 8020 133 (24/7) if you require any further support.

Tom

Forum Admin   

Hi all

thanks for your replies, it’s so good in some way to know I’m not the only one with this battle but not great we are all going through it all....

my hobby is watching my football team up and down the country, once and sometimes twice a week. I am very lucky that my hobby involves my son and father so a joint hobby for us all, I have to say though I am gambling whilst at the matches and due to the large amount lost/losing I am continually borrowing to feed both my gambling and hobby. I have to admit that when I get paid I try to buy my footy tickets straight away as I know I won’t have the funds later in the month and if I don’t I borrow it, it’s really awful. 

thanks to you all for your support 

I did it again so so stupid just keep thinking 1 big win but instead lost now have no shopping money really don’t know how I’m going to get through till o get paid on the 1st I’ve blocked 1 site this morning but can’t seem to manage more that that don’t know what’s wrong with me x

Hi Busterbear,

Consider registering with GamStop the self exclusion scheme from multiple online gambling companies www.gamstop.co.uk and/or get in touch with us and we can talk through blocking software, including a free option. 

Best Wishes

Fiona

Forum Admin