Hey everyone
I wanted to post on here just to get it out. Im Henry, I first discoverd gambling 3 years ago. Initially it was £2 every saturday on both teams to score to betting £200 on a golfer with a 4 shot lead for them to lose it.
At the time, I had about 3k in savings and a credit card limit of 3500 (only had £500 on it). It all went downhill when I actually became "good" at betting. 3 weeks in a row I won 1.6k 2.8k and 2.2k off £10 bets. This as many of you will know was never enough, maybe I can win more I thought. £10 stakes turned into 50 which turned into £100 which quickly took its toll. Bang, all the savings was gone within a few months and credit card was maxed out.
With no more money I thought (and I have thought this every single time I have taken credit out) I need to stop, balance transfer and clear the debt. I had a good credit history so everyone was loving me, I was accepted for loans, credit cards etc etc and eventually when things got bad, payday loans. No matter what, everypay day I was down to my last penny and even when I won a bet, I'd re bet at least 75% of it. I like to think im a sensible man, I would never go into a bookies and hand over cash, so why will i spend virtual money??? That is the problem, I treated it as virtual as though it wasn't real.
I wish I could of told somebody sooner or found this website because now it is in the open with my family, I am 4 days bet free and have no urge to bet and really hope this stays. It is upsetting I will spend the next 5 years to pay off the debt and my family has to suffer to but its a goal I cannot wait to reach.
Glad to be apart of this website and hope you guys can help me or I can help you if I can continue not to bet.
Henry
Hi Henry,
well done for coming on here, and well done for being honest on the Forum and to your family.
Recovery is an ongoing process, and as you have experienced the initial shock of a big loss or the knowledge of mounting debt is not a guarantee that you will stay away from gambling sustainably.
If you haven't done so yet, please also feel free to make use of our Helpline ( 0808 8020 133) or the Netline to get some advice and support from one of our advisers.
Keep posting, keep sharing, keep reading and keep engaging.
All the best,
Eva
Forum Admin
Hi Henry,
I've just posted my first new topic on this website after creating an account yesterday and i can totally relate to what youre going through. I just want to say please stay bet free, dont even do a free online app bet, stay strong and life and your mood will become better and slowly your mind will unpollute itself just as a smokers lunge do when he gives up. I'm battling with myself constantly, telling myself 'why should i stop, this is who i am, a risk taker' but i know its completely stupid and im just too weak to give up, so seeing your post makes me feel motivated. Stick with it, you can do it and turn your life around my friend. All the best.
Hey all. Around 6 weeks after signing up to this website, I am still haven't gambled! I believe I still have a long way to go but if I could give any advise to people....just tell somebody close to you. Since coming out to my wife, family and friends, a big relief was lifted and I didnt feel the need to keep chasing lost bets. If anything, I don't want to see their disappointed faces again. If you tell somebody, if they love you enough, they will help you.
Even in the 6 weeks, I've been more sociable with my friends and my wife and I have oddly grown closer even after all the lies.
Hey
So good to read posts like this, well done on six weeks GF.
Can I ask, are you still watching and enjoying sports or have you avoided them? Totally agree it starts on the small “fun” bets, for years I did this on a Saturday afternoon. The worst thing I did was win, the stakes just got bigger and bigger.
Keep us updated on your progress and congrats again
Hey LeedsFan333 thanks for the support 🙂
To be honest since I stopped gambling, I still watch the odd sports but only if im bored/wife is busy. Before I quit, Id make excuses etc to stay in all weekend. She looks back now and thinks how didnt she have a clue because I use to watch SOO MUCH. For me personally I like sports(mainly football) and I will continue to watch the big games but I have given up watching horses/golf/darts (generally anything I didnt care about before betting!)
I have read your intro thred and I hope to stay strong and continue to keep yourself busy. 6-7 weeks on for me and I've gone back (not fully) to how I was before gambling took over my life. I have a bit of excess money to actually do stuff rather than spend every single penny after payday etc. I joined a gym to fill the evenings and generally help my mental state. Keep up the good work
henry_wilson wrote:
Hey LeedsFan333 thanks for the support 🙂
To be honest since I stopped gambling, I still watch the odd sports but only if im bored/wife is busy. Before I quit, Id make excuses etc to stay in all weekend. She looks back now and thinks how didnt she have a clue because I use to watch SOO MUCH. For me personally I like sports(mainly football) and I will continue to watch the big games but I have given up watching horses/golf/darts (generally anything I didnt care about before betting!)
I have read your intro thred and I hope to stay strong and continue to keep yourself busy. 6-7 weeks on for me and I've gone back (not fully) to how I was before gambling took over my life. I have a bit of excess money to actually do stuff rather than spend every single penny after payday etc. I joined a gym to fill the evenings and generally help my mental state. Keep up the good work
Hi henry thanks for the reply, yeah I think I will be much the same as you. Just cancelled sky sports too, when we going thru the bills. Thinking about it I was just watching a lot of the games as there was money on it. It’s a great feeling not being skint 3 days after payday, keep it going you’re doing great x
65 Days GF and 65 days since I told my wife and friends. It seems so long ago now but everything is slowly getting back to normal now. Wish it had come out sooner so I wasn't in so much debt but hey ho. Not had an urge to bet at all since. I've changed my lifestyle a lot. I eat healthier and now attend the gym 4 times a week, in the days im free...me and my wife go for walks or just watch netflix together. I barely use my phone anymore and its such a better place to be in. Everyone around me (even the ones that dont know) say how relaxed I have become. Thats because I'm not constantly hoping of a score result to come in for me these days. I have a long way to go but hope my short term positive story helps others.
Congratulations, Henry Wilson. You are doing brilliant in your recovery and it is good to read how your life normalises and stabilises with little things, such as watching something together. I am sure that other members here really appreciate being able to get a glimpse into how you are turning your life around.
Keep going!
Kind wishes
Gabriele
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