Hello

Hello Booknerd

Welcome to the forum.

Depression and anxiety problems are common for gambling addicts and often closely linked.

To highlight why you think you gamble is a very good start.

I'd recommend phoning the GamCare helpline and booking some free counselling to help you deal with gambling, depression and anxiety.

Putting blocks in place will help you stay stopped for when you have money available again. Self-exclusion, blocking software and handing over finances are all good barriers.

From there different things work for different people. Religion, hypnosis, self-help books, CBT, GA are all out there.

I find keeping busy crucial. I try to schedule my day to not allow time for gambling. Boredom is often a reason many gamble. The forum is a great way to spend your time learning how others deal with their gambling addiction.

Best wishes

Glint

Thanks for replying!

Yeah I'm starting to come up with ways to stop myself getting bored, I've even made myself a star chart! Sounds a bit childish I know! I've been to councilling many times before for other reasons and I felt that it didn't help me, but then if I have another relapse I can always try that again.

I've now self excluded myself and blocked the sites from my phone. I'm also going to tell one of my friends, I've kept it hidden because I've been so embarrassed but telling someone will help hopefully.

Hi mate you've come to right place for help , i was in such a dark place, gambling out of control , feeling depressed , but I've not gambled for 14 days since being on this site , it's good your putting blocks in place and self exclusion . Do all you can to stop the urges , try the chat room it's from 8 till 9 each night your will get good advice and help from people who really understand . Loz

Thank you ever so much for all your support 🙂

Nothing wrong with a star chart.

For some counselling might never work, for others it might be a case of finding the right counsellor.

Well done for self-excluding.

Have a good week.

Well I've failed already. Checked my emails and I had a free £50 placed in my account. And then ended up spending more. Now just as I thought money problems were manageable it got worse. Time to block emails now I guess and also maybe I look into seeing a councillor

Hi, BN,

Not a question of failing already, you can beat yourself up as much as you like, but it won't make any difference.

The real question is what are you going to do differently now? If nothing, no need to read any further.

If you want things to change, you have to do what it takes. Ditch your smartphone for a brick? More self exclusion? Report your debit card as lost so that you get a new one that is not linked to the websites? Hand over financial control? Go to GA? Make the phone call to organise counselling? Call StepChange?

Do what needs to be done and things will change.

Wish you well,

CW

Hi BN, look lots of people have relapses and some more than others but one day they get it right. You need to pick yourself up dust down and look at what may have triggered it and put other measures in place to stop it happening again. You can do this, don't beat yourself up you are better than the evil addiction. Read some of the diaries and you will see that it does happen and maybe find some useful tips to stop it happening again. Keep your chin up and tomorrow is a new day. Take care.

I don't feel so bad about the whole relapse anymore, thankyou ever so much.

I've been more pro active today. I've been at home unwell from work where it would have been so easy to spend all day in bed spending a few pounds but instead I've been trying to make them. I've sorted through some things that were hidden under my bed and I have listed quite a few items on eBay. Making money instead of spending it!