Hi everybody,
I've decided to give up gambling today after 15 years of gambling. Horses have been my love. I've not done too bad over the years but it's created allot of highs and lows.
The last 2 years haven't been too bad financially (the best I've done) but I'm giving up for my own overall well being.
Over the last few years my gambling became heavier with larger stakes and I started to experience physical side effects. Before a race where I had a large bet placed I would need the toilet. The anxiety it created which I thought I was able to switch off in my mind affected my body. More recently I experienced an anxious, nervous cough while betting.
I think gambling addiction is progressive because no amount of knowledge can remove the risk element and riding your luck is not a peaceful state of mind to adopt. It's destructive.
I've had the big wins accompanied by a feeling of euphoria and the bad patches accompanied with heavy losses and a huge sense of regret. I've ridden my luck and got away with it and had times when it's not worked out. Overall I've been quite disciplined but emotion innevitably takes control sooner or later.
I've come to the conclusion that gambling probably has served as a form of escapism and created a distraction for me personally. The fantasy is exciting and I will miss it. I love studying horse form and it's been a big part of my life.
The trouble is allowing your overall mood and sense of peacefullness to be in the hands of the gods is a huge trade off.
I would say to anybody going down a gambling pathway to remember win, lose or draw you are making a huge sacrifice.
Gambling isn't stable and gambling addiction is all consuming.
Wish me luck. I'm pretty determined to move on now. Of course I think about the big win that could be round the corner, but it's still in my mind not worth the trade off.
I think that's the key. It's taken me 15 years to realise but winning isn't worth the trade off. You might be one of the lucky ones that wins life changing money but how much of your time, peace of mind and ultimately your life (which isn't that long) are you willing to sacrifice finding out. I've given that careful thought and have placed the restrictions on my accounts. Now I just have to stick to what I have decided, start a new chapter and not be tempted back by the glamour.
I think I can do it. Positive words would be appreciated.
Hi Simon
Welcome to the GamCare forum. This is just a note to let you know we're moving your thread to the 'New Member Intros' section as you're more likely to get a response from other forum members there.
I'll leave it to other forum members to offer advice and support just now, but if you would like to talk things over you are welcome to call us on the helpline 0808 8020 133 or chat to us on the Netline. http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/frontline-services/netline
Best wishes
Forum Admin
Yeah well done on your big decision mate. I wish you well. Gambling in my case around 15 yrs also and love the horses too. Gambling infected all departments of my life ..so enuf is really enuf
Hi Simon
Well done for taking the step! Gambling isn't a life for anyone like you say even when you win it's not worth it, gambling brings into your life so many character defects without you even realising it so your never the person you could be,
It's a long hard road ahead but you will see the diffrence very quickly if you keep off a punt.
Use every tool you can get your hands on to help and itl make it that bit easier as just will power is the real struggle.
You can do it mate just take it 1 day at a time or less if need be.
Matt
Hi Simon,
Well done for admitting your problem.
I've been reading this forum for 6 years,your opening post really hit a nerve with me.
You summed up the effects of gambling,it really does take over every waking minute of your life.
I'm currently on 98 days gf,I'm at peace,but I know if I place that first bet the madness will enter my world once again,every penny I own will have a question mark over it.
It really is a 1 day at a time strategy,two weeks in things, get easier I'd say.
Keep away from that 1st bet,we can't win cos we can't stop.
No more nervous coughing! Something I've definitely experienced- come to think of it,the whole gambling experience started to become a painful,uncomfortable experience.
All the best Simon.
Hi there,
I've just read this after wanting to do the same thing, i was just wondering how you are getting on? It would definitely serve as motivation if youve kept it up as i suffer from exactly the same thing, betting on horse races. It gets to the point when im up and im just bored, i dont even bother to withdraw the money, i dont even look at it like real money until i lose it and then start to think about what that money could have bought. Anyway, be good to hear from you. Cheers
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.
