Well this is a big step for me.
Im a 26 year old who has been through a fair bit in life. I have lived with anxiety from 6 years diagnosed but longer without the disagnoses. Today is the first day I’ve decided to stop using gambling apps on my phone to shut away the thoughts and stresses which fill my mind constantly. I have finally put a block on the apps and I’m moving forward.
scary to think how much I’ve spend using gambling as a way of dealing with this. Imagine if I decided I didn’t need to use this. Imagine what state my finances would be currently. Maybe I would have a mortage and planning for kids. But I shouldn’t think like that I should think positive in making sure a big decision and a confession to myself.
i have beaten myself up today and I’ve lost some money which I couldn’t really afford todo but it’s done now and I’ve made that mistake. I need to progress and move forward. These forums have really opened my eyes to see I’m not alone and that I’m not the only one who seeks gambling as a comfort blanket.
Things hit home for me last week when me and the misses had an arguement and she used gambling against me and she was right in everything she said. Your always glued to that phone watching sport or watching betting markets. We don’t spend enough time together you. She’s right we don’t, And that’s because i priorities keeping those busy thoughts whizzing around my mind all day away by stimulating my brain into thinking about betting and odds and so on.
I’m hoping people can relate and maybe leave a comment and speak about their situations. It’s a step in the right direction and I want to share this with everyone on here.
Welcome to the site . I’m sure that the way you are thinking is textbook for most of the gamblers on here . You have taken the first step , you now need to buckle up that seatbelt and enjoy the ride . You see , stopping gambling can be a really good thing. It’s not all doom and gloom you can start to enjoy what is around you that you never paid much attention to before . Ok practicalities . First you need to block yourself from everything . There is a website called Gamstop https://www.gamstop.co.uk/
That will self exclude yourself from all Uk operators . Then you need to confide in maybe your partner about everything . Hand control of your money over . Maybe seek your nearest GA meeting or ask GamCare for counselling . Fill your time with other activities and start a diary on here . You see , over 140 days ago I was just like you . At some point something switched and I told myself that enough is enough . We can never win because we can’t stop.Dont kid yourself telling you can beat the bookies , odds or what ever you think . It’s all or nothing . You stop today or you continue to tread water , suffer anxiety , live life without any luxuries or self respect . If you want to ask any questions pop onto my diary and ask away
Hi RyanB and welcome to the forum.
Yes its firmly linked to anxiety, stress and depresssion and it will take people who experience anxiety in a vicious circle of anxiety feeding off anxiety.
Its a complex addiction and its a drug your brain seeks. Its all sorts of things escape, dopamine, triggering of the reward centres and covering for issues within your soul.
The answer lies within us and you have to get to the root of why you are anxious and stressed and what can sooth that without involving gambling.
Your wife is right in everything she said. You must now start the learning process about this nasty addiction which preys on us.
Gambling is not the answer to what you seek. It ruins us. Try the gamble free path and see how it improves your life. Its a born again moment of openness and honesty.
If your wife can manage the finances you wont be gambling while your mind heals and you look at other avenues to combat any anxiety or stress in your life.
Youve seen what gambling does.The bank statements tell you what gambling does.
Are you now ready because its time to stop. Its a mugs agame and its not for you. You dont actually need it in your life and you wont miss it when you realise the money in your pocket is for better things to do with your life
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Thanks for the messages back in means a lot.
Just starting my day 1 of the no gambling. I’m hoping everything goes well and I keep positive. Work should help stimulate the brain plus I have a course to go to during my split shift which will help with the boredom. Still find myself beating myself up but that’s natural for me due to me being a perfectionist and not wanting todo things wrong.
Got a lot of praise from the misses yesterday due to the stopping gambling so that was positive. She’s currently away st the moment so it’s pretty quiet without her. Goes to show how much a depend on her presence to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Thanks for the comment Ryan, I too found it hard going to the horses and it caused me to relapse.
I hope you cope better than I did, all the best.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
