Hi

You have certainly come to the right place , have you rang Gamcare for advise ?

Hello Conor,

Welcome to the forum and well done for posting.

Pay day has been a trigger for many of our forum members and you will read posts here where people describe various arrangements that they have found helpful in reducing risk, for example putting their savings into an account that doesn't allow instant access; setting up standing orders to transfer some of their salary into someone else's account like a partner or parent, or creating more transparency around their finances so that their partner or parent can monitor transactions. Many members have described feeling liberated by reducing their instant access to money, as it can make it easier to put thoughts about gambling to one side.

If you like you can tell us more about the type of gambling you do, and whether you're interested in taking a break from gambling. Other forum members may mention methods that they have found helpful. Reading though forum posts you will find many inspiring stories of recovery.

Take care,

Forum Admin.

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

@John Thanks John, no I haven't rung them. I prefer to look around here and see how other people have dealt with it first.

@ForumAdmin - Yeah I have done that to a limited extent, my credit card doesn't allow gambling transactions and I transfer money to it on payday, but hadn't thought about the savings account that doesnt allow instant access. Thanks I will definitely look into this.

As for the type of gambling, it's really online casino games that get me. I don't feel the urge to keep going like I do with anything else. I have been to horse races and live casinos etc and never had it get out of hand, not even interested in a lot of it. I go to the races and not bet at all, just go for the day out. I think with the online casino games it's the fact that it's easy to spend money so quickly with them and the rewards can be so big.

@Free Yeah I know what you mean, I find it very difficult to stop when I start. Hopefully turning 29 and having a fresh start will help. Just got to get through this month.

I think having this new job will help a lot. Since my laptop broke, my only real access to the online casinos was through my work computer, but I won't have that option at the new job.

My only saving grace from this episode was that I paid off £800 for a holiday (I owed my gf it) and some money to my credit card before I blew most of my wages. Now just have to work out how to pay off everything else I owe for this month!

Hi Conor - good for you for trying to do something about it. Try keeping a recovery diary on here - I've found it a great help and the supportive messages have helped to keep me strong - now up to 54 days clean. Small steps but every clean day is a positive step. All the best - Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Thanks. I think that being on here and the supportive messages will be invaluable. Around pay day will be when I need it most.

Well done on the 54 days!