Hello guys

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Hi Conor

First of all a very big well done on admitting you have a problem.

I wish i could have had the balls to come to identify my problem when i was 18 and sought help like you have done by coming to this forum.

A couple of things you could put in place to try and stop you from gambling:

1. Control of finances - Is there someone you can trust to take control of your finances and look after your money for you? Without money you cannot gamble. I know this may feel as you are regressing back to a childish state however it takes a lot of courage and balls to let soeone else manage your money.

2. Blocking Software - K9 is free and works on all devices including iphones. There is also net nanny and a couple of others. I personally use K9 and it works a charm, have someone else install this for you and have them input the passwords, someone you know you cannot manipulate to get these passwords. This software will stop you accessing anything to do with gambling.

3. Tell your family - this is by all means the hardest one to do and probably the one thing that keeps us gambling the longest. However having experiening telling the ones i love i feel it is the best thing i could have done, for myself and for them. You may initially upset them however they DO want the best for you and once you admit you have a problem they will be willing to help.

Have you considered going to GA?

I gambled for 10 years racked up massive debt, lied to everyone and eventually lost my job due to gambling. I started going going to GA in January and now over 100 days gamble free. It really can provide the knowledge and support needed to help manage this illness and most important keep you vigilante to any possible relapse in the future.

Also be aware this is a progressive illness, you have done a great thing by identifying your problem so early. As i have already stated i wish i could have done this when i was 18 and made the positive moves i have waited 10 years to make. Carry on gambling and all the problems you are facing now will only get worse.

Good luck on your journey and remember 'For today i will not gamble'

Hello Conor

I appreciate how you’re feeling and that you’re not sure what you should do, so well done for taking your first steps in joining the forum for support.

It sounds as if one of your triggers may be linked to seeing advertisements. Try using specific strategies like changing the channel or taking a tea break during an advert on television to help avoid these situations. If the adverts are out in the public domain then you could try reading magazines or books on tubes or listening to music to help distract your attention. Stopping gambling is a process and you might have some difficult feelings for a while, especially about losses. Keep posting these feelings here if you can

Gamcare offers a free one to one face to face counselling service which can be set up by our online Advisors check out http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/face-face-counselling

If however you feel you need support information and guidance with any debts then you may find it helpful to look at http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org/

Kind regards

Cade