First day quitting

Hi John

Welcome and congratulations on making these vital steps!

I would highly recommend joining in the chatroom sessions, getting Gamcare counselling and perhaps reading a book or two from others that have quit.

Even if financially it isn't noticeable to others, all the time you've lost, inability to make plans, sneaky behavouir etc must have a negative impact on the rest of your life.

Think about the magical moments that you must have been missing out on and use that as motivation to quit for good. Focus instead on hobbies, talents, things that definitely make you money such as career and safer investments.

Welcome and congratulations on making these crucial steps

Thanks Energzied,

I have felt a lot of relief already today. I am certain with continued dedication I will not go back.

Yes, a sneaky life at times. It hard and distressing looking back at all the bad memories.

I have a lot of debt to because of it but im paying it back and should be even by 2019.

I am currently looking for new hobbies to occupy my time at the weekend. I'm quite bust week days and nights so the weekend us the issue.

Look forward to chatting to yourself and more people.

Do you recommend any particular book (s).

John

Hi John

Like you I have gambled a lot over a long period and been able to hide the debts and have a good life. But it has all run out.....

The spread betting has been the killer!

I am dealing with my debt, moving, and starting a new business. A fresh start.....

I find that word games on the iPhone keep my busy as well as posting here.

Good luck and stay strong

Just wanted to say good luck. I'm in the same boat and joined yesterday. It's not an addiction anyone willingly means to obtain, for me it just started as a way to destress and now causes me more stress than anything! Stay strong, we can do this!

Thanks guys,

I am feeling much better since I have joined it's actually good to get it all off my chest. And seeing my mistake written down and highlighted the fact that I need to change my life.

Good luck with your new business HMMT. I am sure you will succeed.

Welcome Cigarettesandalcohol. Thanks for the post. Good luck and I look forward to chatting.

Keep the heads up and keep feeling good about yourself. There is a lot more to life than gambling...thats what I keep telling myself.

Regards, John

Morning John,

Feel the same mate. Its good to talk and sometimes seeing how much others have lost is somewhat reassuring.

I lost £900 in 3 days including £100 on a flipping beach football game trying to win money back.

For me it is boredom as well, but the inplay footy or horses takes over your life as well and makes one unsocial.

I still feel anxious and angry with myself, but this time I am not going back.

Good luck brother

Hi John

First of all welcome to the forum and as you will of already guessed there are lots of people on here with the same issues, a bit like yourself I said my gambling was down to boredom but after I've had quite a few sessions with a councillor, yes bordem is a factor but there have been other thing through out my life that have triggered me to go off gambling and I only got these answers from the councillor digging into my past and it all adds up now ! A good book to read would be a book called "the power of the habit" it's by Charles Dhuig I think, it's very good and and us gamblers will relate to a lot of stuff from it and I definitely give it a try mate. I come on here quite a bit as I find it very helpful and keeps my feet on the ground and reminds me as to where I don't want to be and that's gambling !

"It's good to talk and take it one day at a time"

All the Best

Darren

Hi Francis & Darren,

I really appreciate your posts. Yeah, I think that bordom is a huge part of the sickness. The way I look at it, if my mind is busy with other things such as reading, exercise and family I won't think about gambling.

2 days in and going strong. I'm going to post every day.

Darren, I have just got the book you recommended. Just finishing another book so I will start it this week.

Keep strong fellas,

Regards, John

Hiya John - Like you I've reached the point I need to get my addiction under control. I too have lost huge sums of money, and without doubt its robbed me of time with my friends and family. Today I have joined this, have tried counselling before and the urge is just too strong. At least here I can admit and talk about it and find a way forward without changing how those close to me see me.

11 days gamble free and feeling good. I will regularly post how many days I have gone free. This is not to seek congratualtions. I just read through some other persons posts and enjoyed seeing updates.

Life is so much compared to gambling. It's a mugs game and for the first time in my life I understand. My father use to tell me that many years ago but I couldn't understand what he meant. I fully see now that gambling is pointless and you can never win. You may as well burn your hard earned money. Them days are long gone.

4k paid of my overdraft last week so happy with that too. Have told the bank i want to close the account once overdraft is even.

Good luck everyone.

John

12 days gamble free. Pay day today and I was thinking about trying a bet on roulette to try and double or treble my money so I could put the winning towards paying of more debt. I thought about it for maybe 3 minutes then lifted my phone and started to type this. Once I see this madness written down I will resist the urge.

The thing I keep forgetting is that if i tried to win to pay of debt I will only go deeper in debt and deeper in this sickness.

Regards, John

Good thing you were able to stop yourself from that, John. The urge is really hard to beat, but once you clear up your mind, you should be able to stop yourself from doing it.

I'll try your daily posts as it would act as my diary on how I got (or will get our) of my addiction.

16 days gamble free. Survived the weekend again. I have to admit as long as I am not side tracked and lose focus I really feel I can do this.

Just finished reading another book last night.

Life is good.

Regards, John

18 days and feeling great. Keeping busy woth Gym and reading. Havnt thought about gambling really or had any urges this week.

Feeling really positive.

Have a good day.

Regards, John