First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

Hi Stace,  Well done for getting blocks in place. I’ve been struggling for years and the Gamstop really helps although I have turned to other avenues and other ways, which can even be worse . Just tried contacting my bank to stop all gambling transactions also. It’s amazing how bad gambling can be and what we can do to get around things. Just went to me first GA meeting last week and really think that it is my way forward , being able to talk, share and almost feeling accountable to something or someone other than myself. Great support, advice and stories that really hit. Good luck and hope all goes well. 

Thanks Krypt..

I'm so glad I found this site. When it's happening you do feel all alone and empty.  Thanks for your lovely reply, It really means a lot to me. Hope you're doing well and you're on  the road to recovery.

Dear @stacer50,

Thank you for your recent post and for taking the first steps towards becoming gamble free, I'm very proud of you. This is a place where you can keep coming for support from your peers and to share your journey in to recovery with us all.

Things sounds difficult for you from the negative impact of problem gambling, well done for reaching out and for adding Gamban to your phone. It's fantastic to hear you've self excluded with Gamstop too. 

You've already made amazing progress.

I'm concerned about the affect this has taken on you, your health and marriage. It may be beneficial to make an appointment with your GP so they can support you further and discuss options available to help you. There are also mental health websites with helplines that you can contact for support on the below links:-

https://www.supportline.org.uk/

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Do you have any other support network around you that you trust and would feel able to reach out to? It may help to release the burden of keeping it a secret by making people aware how you're feeling and why. There's no pressure though, this is your choice and it has to be what feels right for you.

You can also access our chatroom's that open twice a day at 1pm until 2pm and then again at 8pm until 9pm with an extended closing time of 21:30pm on a Sunday. 

Please know that you're never alone with this, I can see you're going through a very difficult time. You don't have to go through it alone, we're here with you and we believe in you and your ability to change your future.

If you need any advice or help with financial matters including covering essential living costs or debt then please contact one of the below organisations to discuss things further.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ - Advice with financial matters, any options available for help with essential living costs, debt and legal if needed.

https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

https://www.payplan.com/

https://www.stepchange.org/

You can also self exclude from Bingo Halls, betting shops and arcades if you find yourself accessing these or having urges to go there by contacting the below organisations.

https://self-exclusion.co.uk/

https://www.bingo-association.co.uk/

https://bacta.org.uk/self-exclusion/

If you would like to talk to us or if you feel a free referral for counselling would help you then please either call our helpline on 0808 8020 133 or access our Netline (web chat) via our Gamcare website. We're open day and night so we're always here for you and anyone else affected by problem gambling including your partner if they feel they would like support too.

Sending you all the best, please be kind to yourself and remember that you can do this!

Kindest Regards

Joanne

Forum Admin

Dear @kryptonite,

Thank you for your support in this thread, it's much appreciated.

Well done on contacting your bank to block gambling transactions and for self excluding with Gamstop. If your bank isn't able to meet your requests or requirements, it may be worth looking at another bank account that blocks gambling transaction and allows you to put a limit on the amount you can withdraw on a daily basis? 

There are different banks that now offer a similar account, many people find the Monzo account useful and it offer both of the services that I mentioned above.

https://monzo.com/about/

If you would like to talk further about other blocks and self exclusions or you feel you would benefit from a free referral for counselling then please either call our helpline on 0808 8020 133. Or access our Netline (web chat) via our GamCare website. We're open day and night for anyone affected by problem gambling to gain support, advice, help and guidance.

Sending you all the best.

Kindest regards

Joanne

Forum Admin

On the road, speed bumps ,obstacles and dark tunnels but staying on the road and looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. Gonna try post more so hopefully keep in touch. 

Thanks Joanne...

I have the best family and friends around me. I already feel like a weight has been lifted.  Me and my husband are working things out. It's been tough on him too. Thanks for the support x

Evening,

Reading the first bit of your post was like reading my own, I ended up getting addicted to slots while at the local bingo hall, even though for years I had been to bingo and never touch a slot machine, it just took one go.

I'm happy you have made the first step towards stopping. I'm 11 days in and feel great. 

Xx

Hi Stace... Well done and such a brave thing to do.. I guess we all are brave here then aren’t we, for being here in that first instance?

Its an illness first and foremost and like other illnesses it only needs a catalyst, or trigger, to start up again.

Going on here every moment you have will help you I am certain, going to a close-by GA meeting will add to your support and ‘protection’ from the trigger areas... keep yourself away from ALL types of gambling is also a huge key in this. When I go to the meetings last few weeks I am astounded that there are people still there who no longer gamble but turn up even after over twenty years of attending!! Why? I can only say its the power of these meetings and the people who attend that keep me from gambling. I did have a relapse last year and start of this year whereby I succeeded in taking my marriage to the very brink by gambling like a complete nutter... they said I was trying to make up for the two or three years I didn’t gamble and was clean from it?

So, my penny worth would be this; Do not lie, ever, especially to your partner/husband, remove the tools to gamble with and pass them over to someone who you trust, (money, cards etc, etc...) also tell your partner that they have absolute permission to go into your phone at no notice and check any connections or links to gambling at all... I still get stuff from gambling companies now so I print them out, show my wife the phone,  and we are collecting all these to eventually pass on to our MP in the Spring. I have dementia early onset and so am ‘labelled’ as a vulnerable person... however, I believe we ALL are vulnerable people when we have this disease yet are bombarded with enticements etc to encourage our gambling? Drug suppliers to children are evil people in societies eyes, but large companies that undertake the same tactics on us are not?? where is this fair? Lets try every moment of every day to stop them? I cannot work any more due to severe spinal operations etc and so my days as a handyman have halted... I still retain the urge to ‘Help’ people though so I am now trying to engage our MP’s on this road regarding stopping these ‘Corporate’ bodies to be more responsible.

OK... its people like you that encourage and inspire me and others to do this, well done and thank you.

Please earmark my website www. https://minusmymemory.com at some point as in the near future I will be standing in front of the congregation in our church (usually 200+ ) to add to my testimony my fall and rise from, (hopefully) my gambling addiction.

I am praying I will be pointed in the direction of some others here that will help in the structured response to those gambling and gaming companies who simply interested in their bottom line?

Blessings,

John Pops

Johnpop's. .

Wow !!! You're words of encouragement made me get a tear in my eyes. Such powerful words. We're all amazing for coming here and putting blocks on everything. If you notice on every advert on TV 9/10 they're gambling companies.  It's disgusting really isn't it ?? Me and my husband are on the way up thank god. I hope you are too and keep posting your wonderful insporational words xx