Finally admit it

Hi Glyn - I joined the site last night - today is my "day 1". I posted my issues in the new user section if you find a moment to have a read.

Persionally I've gambled on / off for about 9 years - the last 5 have been the most serious and detrimental. I would describe myself as a binge gambler - I don't touch a bet for weeks, even months - but there comes a point where the pain of before diminishes, I promise myself not to make the same mistakes as before, but inevitably find myself in the same position - loosing all I have to bet and the cycle starts again.

I'm fortunate in that I've managed to stay afloat financially - bills always paid each month - and I'm only carrying a comparatively small amount of debt.

However, the point I wanted to discuss with you is how are you dealing with the size of your losses - significant by any standard. I find that when I stop gambling, all I can do is ruminate about the amount of money I've lost - constantly thinking about it - it drives me mad. Any help or advice much appreciated.

Anyway, today is day 1 (again), following the most recent relapse - today I will make good decisions and won't gamble.

Hi cactus . just put the money you lost behind you , pretend you have bought something and you have to pay it off bit by bit , thinking about it makes you feel worse , good luck we are all in the same boat .christine

Hi Cactus - Thanks for your response and seems we are in the same boat Im 10 days in now !

Its a great question about the size of the loss and you are right its at the back of my mind all the time and even though Im having no urges to gamble I feel sick to think of how much I'd have

stored away by now. I don't have much debt just 1 cred card maxed out but its all the money I have in the business which has been gambled away which bothers me the most. I panic that if the business slows up over the next 12 months I wont have anything to fall back on ....I don't know what to think. I know nothing can bring it back and I know I need to be positive to move forward. Maybe you need to wallow in it for a while to realise how stupid you have been ???

Hi all

I thought I would write a quick message for two reasons

One I think your be surprised at how many people read posts but don't comment. It would be good if there was a like button for every post as sometimes I would like to acknowledge a comment but don't want to write a reply

Secondly I'm a binge gambler too. I have prob lost £350k over the years but I have learnt to let that go. Let's face it I'm never getting it back! It's gone and it's best if I concentrate on not wasting more and earning more. To be honest I think it doesn't matter what you have lost, I have read on hear people devastated on loosing £100 so it's just relevant to your lifestyle. Truth is no one wins. The past is the past and some day it will be history then some other day it will be irrelevant ancient history. So I try to life life for now and the future. Every day I don't gamble I win! Everyday I earn money at work I win!

I know what you mean when you worry about business and if things don't go so well you would wish you had the back up but you are obviously an intelligent person and you will find a way of earning a living one way or another. Let it go. You have done very well with little debt. We'll done.

Terry

Sevenoaks

Hi - Just checking in as ive not been on here for a few days - don't worry still gamble free and now 15 days in with not even a flicker of desire to bet.

Last Saturday was a bit strange as I had the house to myself and would normally be a full on day of betting for me but I just worked all day trying to make money rather than blow it !! this is obviously not a long term solution but kept me busy ...

Thanks Terry yes I had my second GA meeting and we discussed this very issue in terms of letting go of whats happened in the past...still niggles away though !

good luck all

Hey MGM,

Great news, keep going my friend. Onwards and upwards for us both. What goes through your mind when you see the betting advert? I am using these as a trigger of hate towards gambling. No real urges for myself either...I cashed out my loses and trying to put it behind and dealing with things to move forward. Keep going and keep posting. Many people here to listen when needed and many like myself like reading success stories! Stepping forward.

Hi All - firstly apologies I have not been online for months !!!! The good news is I am 5months clean not a single bet or urge to bet if im being honest. I am a regular at my local GA and find that great as a reminder of the dark days of gambling and the new members always keep you reminded of your own journey.

It will take me a while to get some business and financial stress off my back as a result of my stupidity but its great knowing that the cash that was in my account yesterday will still be there tomorrow .....im enjoying living life with cash and budgeting week to week.

anyway trust me there is life at the end of the tunnel.

the other strange thing is and im being totally honest with you I have no idea who is in the top 3 of the premiership , not seen a single minute of any games since I quit. just shows I have no intrinsic interest in most sports they were just a means to an end.

I enjoy boxing as the love of that is not effected by the rush of a big win / loss.....take care and best of luck to you all

Massive well done to you. As an ex compulsive gambler, I know how difficult it can be.

Main thing don't let the guard down, there will be urges at completely unexpected moments, but you just need to think how far you have already come.

Best of luck and do drop in even if every few months to give us an update.

Wow! Five months free is brilliant! I am in a similar situation to you with regards to having your own business and using money from there to gamble.

I am on day one of my journey and hope to be able to post back soon and say I have made it to week one, month one and so on.

Hi Glynn , reading your post and others , I feel exactly how you felt the first day on my first day of coming clean , today I have put my laptop into a computer shop to block all gaming sites , I'm hoping that feeling of feeling physically and mentally sick disappears . Your post is very encouraging . Keep up the great work .