My husband of 19 years passed away 14/11/21 and my gambling habit began not long after. My children were 11 and 2 at the time. My eldest has autism and ADHD and my youngest absolutely has both but masks them at school so is undiagnosed. On top of that my mum lives with us as she cannot live independently. I thought my life couldn't get any crappier but it did - my best friend of 15 years passed away 31. After this my gambling got even worse. Up until tonight I was depositing around £500 a month, sometimes more. I've just signed up to Gamstop and Gamban. Hopefully I can kick this horrible habit.
Hi Funko80,Â
Thank you for sharing your post and for being so honest about how grief was a catalyst for your gambling activity.
It sounds like your family are really important to you and are a big motivation for your recovery but that they also contribute to your daily stress levels. Recovery is possible Funko80 and sometimes taking some small steps can see your recovery progress. Have you thought about any hobbies or interests that you could do to take the focus away from gambling and increase your me time. This would add some fulfilment and enjoyment into your journey of recovery.
The forum is a great place for peer support and as you will have seen there is lots of advice, support and encouragement to help you with your journey.
Can I suggest that you contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Live Chat to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.
Keep posting and sharing Funko80
Warm regards,Â
HelenÂ
Forum Admin.
If you get the urge again to gamble, come back here to this site and read some of the stories similar to yourselfÂ
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Well done for making it here, you are not alone
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Dave101
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Just for today I will not gamble and enjoy that I am not eating my socks for breakfast.Â
Sorry to hear of your loss and you aren’t the first person to get sucked in to gambling during a period of bereavement…you won’t be the last. Put the gambling blocks on your phone and you bank account (most accounts can block gambling now) this will help dramatically. If you aren’t in debt because of it then stop now! Trust me it can get so so much worse using payday loans and credit cards to fund it. I am 3 years away from being debt free paying more than the average mortgage to debt each month I have lost my children house and wife because of gambling. You still have family with you to keep you company and get you through it. Take it one day at a time, tell yourself you won’t give in today. Gambling will always be ready to take you back so stay on your guardÂ
A warm welcome to you
You are in the right place for real help here with all of us over time we will all contribute to a new stronger you and all your familyÂ
What I found most helpful was getting out in my local community helping others worse off than myself the social contact works wonders
Along with all the usual control in place plus looking after myself physically and mentally through exercise workouts and breathing techniques it is possible to have a new dawn in life for you and your childrenÂ
Keep up the good fight for a better life
Best MH
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