I’m new here, hoping this will help me stop. I’ve tried to stop several times but always fail, I keep saying next payday I won’t gamble but I always do. £500 lost 2 days after payday so now I have to live the rest of the month making excuses to my partner why I have no money. I thought I’d be able to just stop myself with willpower for my kids, but I end up depositing £15, then next minute I know I’ve spent hundreds, it’s like you black out and keep chasing, then you snap back into reality and realise what you’ve done. I feel so guilty thinking of all the money I’ve lost that could have been spent on my children instead. I’m really determine to stop this time, really struggling with my mental health after this big loss
Dear @lxxx,
So sorry to hear how this last loss is really impacting your mental health. This is the real danger of problem gambling - how it slowly but surely has a huge negative impact on you not just financially but emotionally and mentally as well.
I am so glad you've come on the Forum and posted, this is a brilliant first step. I would also recommend that you sign up to www.gamstop.co.uk - just to make sure that next payday you are unable to access any gambling accounts.
If you call us on our Helpline or Netline we can also discuss blocking software, banking blocks and further treatment support: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/
You are not alone, we are here to support you.
Wishing you all the very best,
Eva
Forum Admin
Hi lxxx, first off, welcome , I'm sorry you've found yourself having to join gamcare, but so glad you have. Its a huge first step, welldone.
The 'mum guilt' was slowly destroying me. I suffer with my mental health anyway, but wow, gambling had a huge impact on it too. I've been gambling 5/6 years and used it as an escape, I always felt guilty, but this year that guilt feeling was getting worse n worse. I couldn't think of anything else. Like you I constantly thought what could I spend that money on, what treats could I have got my kids etc, it was eating me up. I couldn't do it anymore. Its been 6 weeks now since I last gambled. You can do it to..
Something I have found helpful doing was, when I last gambled, I got a piece of paper and I wrote down exactly how I was feeling. From mentally to physically. Just absolutely everything. And I do keep reading it back, when I do it feels like I'm right back there, makes me feel utterly sick. Maybe you could try that.
Also with online gambling, there's good blocking tools. Sign up to gamstop and install gamban. I only signed up to gamban a few weeks ago, after just not letting myself for 5 years, and I'm so glad I have.. its a massive help.
Remember your not alone in this. If you want to talk to others going through the same , theres chatrooms on here at 1pm and 8pm everyday..
Take care, you can do this
Stace
Thank you for that, I’ve taken your advice and written down exactly how dark it’s made me feel, I will go back and read it every time I feel tempted. I just can’t wait for next month to start so I can have a fresh new start with money in the bank and no money worries, just seems forever away. I will try and remember to join the chat this evening.
I’m EXACTLY the same! Absolutely sicken myself but still do it!! It is exactly as you describe, deposit a little and swear that’s it and before you know it your depositing your last tenner!
im disgusted in myself the money I’ve wasted on this that should have went to my kids and home!
I’ve just signed up with Gamstop today for 1 year, total mixed emotions at the minute as I know I now can’t gamble but feel proud of myself that I have done it!
We can get through this together ?
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