Hello

Hi Andy. I can totally empathize with you. I packed in gambling 16 days ago and it feels like a huge relief. I ve self excluded using gam stop for 5 years and have put safeguards in place to make sure I don’t have access to funds at times I m in danger of succumbing to urges. Ie with a drink in. I ve also been going to counseling sessions which are excellent. My advice you you in the strongest possible terms is to draw a line under the lost money and self exclude. You will not miss the stress and misery that gambling brings. Good luck mate

Hi Andy, I too am new to this site. Missing it was one of my biggest worries. This time I am on 10 days gf, but I have in the past done a whole year gf. In the last 10days I have rediscovered box sets, films, time with my loved ones. I never really realised how much time I wasted gambling. I went to a family wedding at the weekend, these things used to make me feel irritable, and took me away from my gambling. This time I enjoyed every minute spent with my family. I now realise what a waste of time it was, you will miss it at first, but hopefully in time like me you will find better ways to spend your time. Good luck with your journey 🙂

Thanks for the advice,, I've just been gambling AGAIN since my post this morning,, in under 2hrs I've lost a week's wages!! Which was my last wage as my job finished last Friday. I tend to gamble MORE when the chips are down like this,, trying to get out of the hole I'm in,, but only getting deeper! I appreciate what your saying and hope i have the strength to self exclude soon. Thanks very much for your kind words and support.

Well I've just took the plunge and self excluded using gamstop,, 5yrs,, hopefully this is the beginning of a journey to a new happier life!!!

Well done!! I nearly relapsed this morning, quite proud of myself. After I have had my tea I am going to take the plunge and do the five year gamstop. Feeling quite positive about starting my new journey 🙂

Well done!! I nearly relapsed this morning, quite proud of myself. After I have had my tea I am going to take the plunge and do the five year gamstop. Feeling quite positive about starting my new journey 🙂

Please use game stop as soon as you can and not think about doing it. I too myself I’m at the start of my journey I registered to stop last night (when I actually found out it was a real thing to do). Today I have spoke to my parents and told them that I’m an addict and actually talking out loud about it has worked wonders. Even just today. There is a local GA meeting close to me starting tonight at 7:30. Not plucking up the courage to do this also. Seriously it feels like an elephant has stood up from my chest and made me able to breathe just from the few conversations I have had today.

I spent last night reading as many of these posts as I could, then realised what good it was doing to me and that I could and realised it was the same amount of time I would have spend gambling usually.

We can all fight this. Stay strong.

Hey "xxformexx, well done for not gambling this morning, you SHOULD be proud. I hope you do manage to do the 5yr exclusion on gamstop,, our big long exciting journey can start on the same day!! That in itself makes me feel not so alone,, i hope you manage to do it!
Well done to you aswell scoop,, hopefully we can all stay strong together!!

Ps,, for xxformexx,, IT WORKS!!!! i just tried to log in to my online gambling provider and it wouldn't let me!! It realizes I've banned myself for 5yrs,,, yee ha,, i now already feel relieved i done it!

Andy, I've done it! Excluded for 5 years........ I feel like I can breathe again. It's sounds bizarre but I often felt obliged to gamble to try win back my losses. I feel like I have a new pair of glassses and I am seeing clear for the first time in years. We've got this Andy.......here's to the future:-)

You will not regret it at all. On day one I self excluded for 12 months. Madness given that I had lost heavily hours before and was still thinking deep down that it would maybe just be a break, but I went back a few days later and extended to 5 years. Taking it at a day at a time but keeping an eye on milestones. I was paid last week and I m really looking forward to getting through a monthly pay cycle GF. Even after this short time I can’t describe the weight that has been lifted to admit the problem and do something about it. Well played both of you for taking the step and committing to it. I wish you both all the best.

Absolutely brilliant xxformexx!! Congratulations on having the strength to press the button!! It felt (perversely) like I was saying goodbye to my "dearest friend" when I done it,, i know that sounds CRAZY,, but gambling has been in my life so long it was scary to let go,, BUT WE'VE DONE IT NOW!!! i too gambled to try and regain my losses,, chasing my losses was when I was at my MOST reckless, so it must just be the way our minds worked at the time,, but that's behind us now,,, IT'S BEEN A BIG DAY!! i feel good you self excluded to,, it feels like I have a "partner in crime" already :)!! As you say xxformexx,, here's to a better future!! Well done us :)!!
Also big shout out to Paulscottb for the kind words of encouragement too!! Enjoy your full months pay buddy!! 🙂

Thanks to you all for your words of encouragement. I feel so positive today. I slept so well for the first time in a long time. My husband knew I had an issue but wasn't aware how much I had been gambling recently. I sat down last night and told him what I was doing. Once again he supports me, he was blaming himself, he felt like maybe he hadn't supported me enough last year. That breaks my heart as he has been so supportive, but I didn't want to admit to myself how bad it was, let alone anyone else. We are in a terrible financial position which is all my fault. But better days are on the way as I am getting a windfall from a family member which will clear all debt. So this is why it has to stop here, I realise I am so lucky, a fresh start with my man along side me. I am worried as having money is a scary thought, but I need to stay focused and occupied. My biggest trigger is boredom, which is ironic as when I gambled I had no time to do anything else!! So looking forward to doing all these things I didn't do before. I bought myself a book yesterday, as I am home alone tonight, I will loose myself in my book. Previously home alone meant unlimited gambling as hubs not here to notice! I was dreading tonight, but now looking forward to curling up with my book.. time to move on, to a better life.

Brilliant xxformexx,, I'm so glad things are on the up for you. Big shout out to your supportive hubby too,, I'm sure together you'll manage to break this destructive habbit that plagues people like us! Enjoy your book 🙂