enough is enough.

Hi J, welcome to the Forum,

In some ways, you have answered your own problem with what you have written my friend.

Winning is much more dangerous than losing - would you have lost another 7000 if you hadn't won that 5000 in the first place? Extremely unlikely my friend - your 5k win made you want more of the same, almost instantly, and then suddenly all your smaller stakes couldn't give you the level of euphoria you craved anymore.

Imagine you won 10,000; it would only be a matter of time before it was gone, and then you might be 15,000 down - it is always going to be the same way my friend, it is a vicious, fake, pointless circle - you don't want to believe it, you want to believe you can win, walk away and spend what you win but that will never, ever happen; gambling will always be a lose-lose scenario for you my friend; accept it, live with it and move on with your life.

It took me a long time to accept it - twenty years, before I stopped for good five years ago. It is beyond frightening as to where those years go and how easy it is to build significant debt.

Blocking software, like K9, Betfilter and Gamblock, are far more effective than self-excluding online my friend; I would recommend them highly. Then, I would analyze yourself very deeply; is there anything that drives you towards gambling? Is it boredom? Depression? The thought of "free" money? These urges are only temporary, they soon pass; try and work out a routine where you can work through them - try and keep your mind and body occupied my friend; they will lessen in time if you work at it.

I hope you can make some progress my friend, all the very best to you - this is a good forum, and there are some good people here.

JamesP

Well I've done it again after vowing yesterday not to play I found a site I hadn't yet signed up to.. This is.getting not only stupid but very frustrating now...

Hi J, one day at a time - so you just broke your own rules. Crazy eh, but start to stop again immediately. You took your first step when you came on this site, now all we need to do is keep you motivated. Think of all the better feelings you will have when you are no longer a gambler. Think of all the money you could save too. There is only one winner with gambling. You know that yourself since you already mentioned 5k up one day then 7k down the next. It's like vicious circles and the only way to stop a cycle is to intervene. Why not make your money less available to yourself, or get someone else - wife/ partner to hold the financial purse strings, giving you only the money that you need. It is tough to start with, however it's like self sabotage every time you make a bet. Win or loose you're remain in the cycle. Tomorrow is a new day, why not phone the phone helpline or attend a meeting near you. Let me know how you are getting on and remember there are loads of people here to help, good luck my friend, Sophie