Hi, I am new to GamCare as I finally have the urge to stop the mess that I am getting myself into, I could really do with some help/advice off people who are a little bit ahead of me in the recovery process to talk me through some of the starter steps to almost relax the urge to gambling. I’d start off just telling myself Il have a “quick £10” and then 3 hours later Il be £400+ down, even the bigger wins dont feel like wins just more “spin tokens” as id call them, I need help as I feel myself falling into a hole. Thanks 🙂
Just take it one day at a time. That's what's most important. Try not to think about the losses. Concentrate on not gambling which is winning in itself everyday. It's not easy at all. But you can do it.
I don't know a single person who gets there money back. It's just a downward spiral constantly.
Sorry to hear that we have all been there I wish it was easy to stop but it’s like a drug and it’s so hard to stop I am in the same boat as you and can’t really see a end to this gd luck with your journey and hope you beat it x
Yes the first step you have taken and that's accepting you are a problem gambler/ compulsive gamblers.
The next step is too abstain from all forms of gambling which can be very hard as the addiction is pretty strong and the mind will try to trick you into gambling or say this is alright this isn't gambling or gambling much.
Most of all is to take it seriously and stop completely NOW!
Keep seeking support on here or go to GA meetings to meet like minded people who know and have experience in this area.
If this isn't youre rock bottom then it will come if you continue to gamble.
Just for today I will not gamble
Dave101
@dave101 thank you mate that really helped?? I’m trying so hard to be positive from now!
also, about these meetings, I always worry people will laugh at me and I will be wasting peoples time as I fear what I’m going through may not be taking as seriously as other peoples situations, I have severe anxiety about it
@bnkf28c1pt thank you, I hope you can too! We’re all in this together!??
hi welcome , heres some tips ive learnt on here thru the years....
Number 1:
GET BLOCKS IN PLACE
Gamstop for online
Moses for local bookies
And Sense for uk casinos
It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.
Number 2:
When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping. Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively),
I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.
I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.
Number 3:
Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:
The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!
U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)
You can not take your cards out (more difficult)
You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.
There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)
Number 4:
With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish. It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019…..
MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….
@adam123 wow. Thank you so much Adam I will keep looking back at this advice because that is unbelievable, thank you mate??????
(@w5eln382q9 The first part is the scariest but it does get better. I am 200 days into my recovery after I gambled for 10 years every day. The journey has made me much more self aware and more conscious of my thoughts/ behaviour and actions and not just with gambling but with lots of aspects of my life. I would advise you to start writing a journal this might help with processing things. If you are ready, GAMCARE can help. I got help from having a weekly phone call so I didn’t have to go anywhere. My therapist was unbelievable- she ultimately saved my life. Everyone I have spoken to has been so amazing, they really care and want to help. I would say they have probably heard these stories a thousand times before so nothing can shock them. I never felt judged, I felt heard and seen for the very first time in 10 years. It was so freeing just to speak to someone. Wish you well xxx
@ae20 thank you so much, it’s unbelievable how nice everyone has been on here, I feel so positive about it all at the moment ??X
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