Gambling again

Hi jonny19817, 

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It sounds like you are trying to take steps in the right direction by putting blocks on your bank card. Like you have found out these are easily removed. This is 1 strategy of many you can put in place to limit your ability to gamble. 

You are right, this isn’t only a financial battle but about your emotional and mental well-being also. 

If you haven’t already done so, can I recommend you give one of our Advisers a call on either our HelpLine on 0808 8020 133 or our NetLine, they will be able to talk you through all the support that is available to help you on your road to recovery.

Kind regards

John

Forum Admin

@jonny19817 it's not like smoking or drinking, it's worse.  There's an old saying in GA, drink and drugs will kill you, but with gambling you'll kill yourself.

There's so much advice on here about what to do to help yourself but this might help a little.

You asked how do you stop. Use the word how as your guide.

H is for honesty. Be honest with yourself and others. Something I expect you've not been for a long time.

O is for open-mindness. Be open to the idea that there are things that you can do that might work. Lived experience is great. When people tell you what to do, ask if they did it and how it helped them.

W is for willingness. Be willing to do things that you don't want to do. Be willing to try.

When you're feeling like this and you've had enough, now is the time to take a step and put proper blocks in place. Gamstop, MOSES, change banks to one which doesn't do gambling transactions, contact the Gamcare advisers, contact and go to Gamblers Anonymous, tell someone who can help about your problem.

Good luck.

Chris.

Hi Jonny19817.

You can beat it and make it history.

You can never be complacent about this highly dangerous addiction again and you need help to close the doors which are wide open.

Its not about your willpower alone. Just thinking you will stop yourself gives the addiction a comfort zone to work on you.

You need to do the cold turkey while your mind resets and gets healthier. However while you do that you need to be monitored and report to people close to you who can make sure most of your money is out of harms way.

Focus on what its done to you again. You have no control over it and its actually a mugs game. Its not set up as an income scheme for you. Its set up as an income scheme for the gambling dens. As an addict you are beyond money in and out...its a drug addiction and its one of the very worst.

You have to understand its not about treating you like a baby. You are an adult but you have no control over your own mind when it comes to gambling. You know its wrong behaviour because youve seen the results. Its delusional and youre missing the bit about losing when you risk your money in that way.

Your mind craves the drug or urge to gamble. You dont like losing money..who does?...so you immediately chase the situation.

Your mind is fighting itself and you shouldnt be gambling. Instead you should cherish the money you have and go and earn some more with more work.

I promise you will look back on this as the illness that it is. Focus and strength will keep you away from it but you can never be complacent about your vunerability again.

I dont gamble now because I have better things to do with my time and money. I dont gamble now because I have control of my mind and my mind just associates it with pain,  sadness, a scam and a complete mugs game.

You cant do this alone. Tell somebody you trust...your mum, your partner or a close friend.

Are you ready for whats needed? I would stop you and know if you had been gambling anything...Thats what you need in your life 

A bit awkward you may be thinking as we all did. Thats NOTHING compared to the deep misery and new lows gambling has in store for you

Its not square or nerdy to be gamble free. Im not missing anything and the money mounts up again for proper living

Best wishes from everyone on the forum