Hi I’m new to this

Hi Bamb, 

Welcome to the GamCare forum. It sounds like you have taken some big steps forward recently. Admitting to the problem, opening up to your Auntie and also coming here for support all sound like really good ways to begin the recovery process.  

I was sorry to read that gambling has affected your mood and your relationship. You have come to the right place to get some support. 

I see you haven't gambled because you have no money left. While it is great that it has meant you are now 3 days gamble free I am concerned that must be a tough situation for you to be in. 

If this is causing some difficulty for you it might be good for you to seek some support from your local council. It might also be that Shelter can offer some housing advice and that the Trussel Trust can offer contact information for your local food bank if you do need it.

It could also be useful for you to speak to one of our advisers. They would be able to help you look at ways to block your access to gambling and offer you free one to one treatment. They are available 24/7 to offer support on our Netline and our Helpline (0808 8020 133).

Take care, 

Rebecca 

Forum Admin. 

Hi thanks for reading and the advice. I have blocked my account from letting me put/request money from gambling site but I found away around it using PayPal I have just closed my PayPal account to stop me doing it that way. I just can’t believe it got that bad and how it was affecting my partner and kids just wish I would have realized before it got this far. Thanks

jason 

Hello Jason and Welcome to the forum.

I hope you will get involved and tell us more. You have made a good start by telling your Auntie and joining the forum.

You can beat this if you follow the tried and trusted advice. There is no shame in being honest and reaching out for help.

Get your money protected and start learning how to heal your mind. In recovery you build a pride in yourself that you are doing the right thing

Show people how you mean to change and what you are doing. You will learn that this is a drug addiction more than anything.

Your life will get better when you stop the gambling and live gamble free. You have a journey of recovery to do. Its not too hard when you are truly ready to face this.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hi iv never been more ready to fight this head on. Just unsure of how I go about this. Any advice where I start? I seemed to have it under controle and then boom it came back with vengeance. Does something trigger it or is it just being weak on my part? Any further advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks Jason

Hi Jason,

I hope your keeping well mate. What you are going through is very difficult but you are not alone, there are many who go through similar issues but you have taken your first step so well done.

Gambling is very addictive, when you do it for a while and you experience the highs and lows, it impacts your thought process and before you know it things spiral out of control and you find yourself betting repeatedly. It starts to impact other things like family life or work. 

 I'm glad to hear how serious you are about stopping and getting your family back, I believe you will, but now is important to put things into action. 

In terms of your question, what triggers it, it could be a range of things. The main question is what you need to do. The answer to that is to keep yourself busy. When you are busy concentrating on other things it means you are not gambling. Plan your day. There are 24 hours in a day. If you work say 8 hours per day and you sleep 6 hours each day it means there are 10 hours left of the day. What do you do with these hours is crucial. Keep yourself fit, read, work on projects or things you have been meaning to do. When you do this and you have a routine your mind and body gets used to it and things become easier. 

When you reach certain milestones reward yourself. The money you save from not gambling, you'll be able to reward yourself using some of it. 

You will get through it Jason, keep strong brother.

Hi uwb027

your comments and advice are just what I needed to be honest I’m struggling already and sleeping in my car doesn’t help matters. Can you explain how all this group chats and live chats work and im not a very confident person to start with and a bit scared to tell the truth. 

Thanks Jason

Dear Jason,

I am glad that you're keeping in touch via the forum and that you've been receiving lots of good advice. It sounds like you have made some really positive steps already, but I am concerned to hear that you are currently sleeping in your car. If you now feel comfortable to do so, perhaps you could get in touch with us on the helpline 0808 8020 133 or via our live chat both of which are available 24 hours a day and we can support you in accessing housing advice and/or emergency accommodation in your local area. 

You refer to the chat rooms above; these run every day at 1.00pm and 8.00pm. You 'talk' by typing (so it's not an audio/visual call) and they are generally well attended, usually on average around 15 people overall. People share their experiences of gambling, and their recovery and share difficulties they may be having, and equally successes. The chat rooms are moderated, recovery focused and are generally welcoming and supportive. It would be great to have you along. 

Wishing you all the very best, 

Helen 

Forum Admin