Hi, it's been a hard Road to travel with a lot of lies and hurt along the way. I have gambled since the age of six so that's 40 years of highs and lows. I have lost many a day to gambling, as we all know the money is just the currency we use to do it. I would have walked round naked if I could have fed them into the machine. I look for excuses in my past as to why me with this addiction, its just another reason to keep hiding the problem. I am a compulsive gambler, when I gamble nothing or no one else matters.
I am here now wanting to stop. I need support to do it. That's the hard bit admitting I am not the rock I should be for my loved ones. It's also the realisation I am saying goodbye to a so called friend called gambling.
I no longer have the comfort of retreating into my shell and using it to hide away from my demons. That's all for now I will keep posting and take each hour away from gambling as an hour gained.
Thanks for the support and advice, glad to see that help through the dark (weak) times is only a click away. Much appreciated.
You have come to the right place for support.
Thanks Marko12312. Much appreciated. Got a good supportive partner. Been honest in how I used to get money to gamble. Hoping that by cutting off the supply it will help in the times of weakness.
With the many forms of gambling now available, to which I have over time taken part in. I have come to the realisation that by having no money or access to funds is the only way for me not to gamble. Will power alone has not been a deterrent. I hope that by using the forums to express my need to gamble it will disapate.
Nice one Galaxy, you made it to the right place!
Will power might not have been a deterrent but you'll still need some...it's not reasonable to assume you will never have access to funds, or one day find yourself with notes in your wallet and an urge to play. By all means give up control while you develop a new mind-set and create new lifestyle habits, but keep drumming into yourself that you ARE a compulsive gambler (that will not change even after 20 years clean) and that you desparately don't want to slip back into old ways.
Great start, the best thing I did was join this site - under duress from my wife I might add.
Thanks kevz123 wise words. Will start planning the life style changes.
How you getting on Galaxy? You're right that taking the power out of your hands is certainly a good move. It's still useful to drill down a bit further and try to understand why you gambled just to unearth some of the root causes rather than simply blocking the ability to gamble. One day you may get the power back and then you'll need to understand a bit more. Good luck though sir! Really good to have you joining the forums... as good as it can be in these circumstances.
how are you today galaxy?
Hi, I've joined in the hope this site and its members can help me. I'm really worried about my son and his gambling addiction. Things came to a head this morning when he was terrified that money his dad had sent him yesterday that his dad needed him to pay to someone he then blew it in a bookies, this is not the first time this has happened and I've tackled him begging him to let me help him but this morning I feared for his life when he told me he could not see another way out of this problem. i don't know where to turn or what to do next? Please can anyone help me?
Hi Galaxy, sorry to hijack your diary...I will pop over this evening when I have some proper time!
Worried mum, if you are still reading...Pick up the phone to GamCare & speak to someone. It would be better if you could start your own thread in the Friends & Family section where you should get a good response on how best to look after you first.
Thank you, I'm a bit unsure how this site works but I'll try, thank you again x
Hi Change, thanks for the reply, makes good sense. I have the full deck of reasons responsible for my gambling,too many truth be told. Escapism is a wonderful world to live in but it hurts others around you. It's a simple choose I have, gamble with my head in the sand and lose everything or stop. Everyone who knows me commends me on my life change achievements without knowing my illness. I have an addictive personality to which gambling at present is feeding. I am on day 4 so far of no scratch cards,bookies or lottery. So will keep all the blocks. In place and face each day one at a time.
Speak soon and thanks again.
By the way how are you doing.
Hi galaxy it seems like you making a good fist of this. It might be time time to start a diary on the diary section it will help you immensely
KTF
I'm good Galaxy. Fairly uneventful day. Plodding along with life but I want to be racing along so still trying to find that certain thing that is going to take my interest and give me a longer term goal. Well done at racking up the days. Keep going stay focused and don't get complacent. Keep the faith my friend.
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