I have to stop now.....again

Register with gamstop as well

Thanks, I tried to but for some reason it didn’t like my post code and said it was invalid.

G100 wrote:

Thanks, I tried to but for some reason it didn’t like my post code and said it was invalid.

Hi G100 I had similar issues getting signed up. Give them a quick call and worst case they will tell you what you need to do to manually sign up.

They sent me out a form which i filled in straight away, took some pictures of proof of address etc they required on my phone and then uploaded them all on to a link that they sent me.

Little bit of effort but worth it in the long run.

Damo

Thanks Damo, i’ll Give that a go.

So I gambled today and already lining up some footy bets for later. It doesn’t matter how much you say to yourself “don’t do it”, the mind decides that it’s ok as one last time. Will I ever give up? Maybe when the football season ends...maybe!!

Lost again, and am now skint. Tomorrow will be a new start and hopefully I can stick to it this time.

Please don't underestimate how difficult it can be to stop - it's like a drug, and you're addicted. Can you hand over control of your cards to your wife ? If you remember the security numbers maybe report all of the cards lost & let your wife have all of the replacements ? So many gamblers have lost families or never made them in the first place due to gambling addiction. Please try to reset yourself and appreciate what you currently maybe take for granted. Can't you find pleasure in family stuff ? Also not sure if you gamble on PC or phone but if PC you can download a free gambling site blocker - TXNogam - for 28 days, and I think there's also a free one around now. Please don't underestimate how difficult it can be to stay stopped - it's a lot of hard work... have you tried GA ? Gamcare counselling etc ? Think about going beyond the surface of why you gamble delve deeper as it seems you're just scratching the surface as to why you gamble hence the not managing to stop. Have a look in the 'relatives' section on here for insight on how it can make partners / families feel. It isn't just about you anymore is it ? Is it really worth indulging when that deprives the people who you love who depend on you ?

Thanks for the advice. I’ve tried stopping a few times and as far as my wife is concerned I have. She stuck by me once but can’t tell her that i’ve Got myself in a mess again. I am determined to stop from this point onwards though and pay off the gambling debts that I have run up again. I always convince myself that i’m Doing it for entertainment and also to win some money for the family, however I know that i’ve Just been selfish all these years and ultimately gambled away loads of money even though I knew I was being a mug at the time. Sometimes it got to the point where it doesn’t matter if you win or lose and I seem to go in a trance until I’ve lost everything. Anyway tomorrow is another day and the start of my gambling free life again. Really need to stop now. It doesn’t help when gambling adverts are everywhere.....as they say “when the fun stops, stop”. Well the fun stopped about 5 years ago so I think it’s about time I stop.

know exactly how you feel G100. How can something so destructive keep luring us back in? I urge you to stop the cycle now - I was in same boat recently and I can tell you are struggling to let the losses go. I fell off the wagon after 18months gamble free and wish I came here and faced upto it straight away. Intead I kept gambling the past 6 months and I'm in thousands more debt! Relapsed in Nov, half heartedly came here in Feb but then slipped away only to return another 10k in debt a few months later. Somewhat similar to your figure. If you don't take the right steps now then it will be £20k, £30k the longer you leave it - the bigger that number will become. It's such a tough ride bud, like you the fun stopped for me years ago. Time for us both to tackle this properly for good!

Thank you for your comments. Managed not to gamble today and hopefully can stay strong. I’m self excluded from every bookie online that I know so that makes things easier. Just need to stay out of the bookie shops when I go back to work tomorrow. I think I will but it’s so hard letting the gambling debt go.....it’s always there in my thoughts and that’s when I get down and ratty. I know that the only way is to go cold turkey and pay the debts off every month....I did stop this time last year for 6 months and I was the happiest i’ve Been for a long time so I know that it’s the right thing to do. I wish I never started again buts it’s doen now so i’ll Have to face up to things again and try not to think about what an idiot i’ve Been again. I’m fortunate that I have a good job which covers the debts but it leaves me skint each month when really I should have ample spare cash to live a very comfortable life, 2 loans and a CC now to pay off so it’s going to be a tough 5 years and I need to stay positive knowing that every year the debt will reduce significantly and things will get better. It’s the guilt that eats you up when I look at my wife and kids faces. I hope you can stay strong also and that we can fight this battle and win.

ITDamo wrote:

[quote=G100]

Thanks, I tried to but for some reason it didn’t like my post code and said it was invalid.

Hi G100 I had similar issues getting signed up. Give them a quick call and worst case they will tell you what you need to do to manually sign up.

They sent me out a form which i filled in straight away, took some pictures of proof of address etc they required on my phone and then uploaded them all on to a link that they sent me.

Little bit of effort but worth it in the long run.

Damo

Managed to register with Gamstop so hopefully that puts a stop to any online gambling activities. Thanks for the advice.

Hi G100,

Next one for you if you struggle with bookies. Havent used it myself but there was an old thread that talks about being able to exclude fropm multiple bookies at once. The tel number is 0800 294 2060. Give them a call.

Will power is a great tool but make as much effort you need to get those blockers in place...make gambling as difficult as it can be.

Totally understand your issue about your debt. Mine was between 40/50k and is now down to just above 20k so we are not talking small numbers. Was tough to deal at the begining but I now enjoy watching it come down. It gives me a sort of satisfaction and It serves as a reminder to me on how much destruction can be done by gambling.

Damo

Thanks Damo, I might try that also but my main issue has always been online gambling and specifically roulette. I used to gamble sensibly until one night when i’d Had a drink and just thought i’d Have a go for a laugh and entertainment. I Actually won about £500 but the next day I lost that plus £1000 on top. Then the cycle started of trying to win it back. As we all know that never happens and eventually I had debts that had spiralled out of control. 5 years later here I am, however I do feel different from other times and before i’d Only exclude for 6 months as in the back of my mind I thought i’d Give it a rest and then go back and play sensibly.....that never happens unfortunately as would love to just do an accumulator on the football and then leave it for a week. Being a compulsive gambler that led to bet after bet on all sorts of football matches and ultimately goal bets where I always lost by one goal. Anyway 2 days down and haven’t thought of gambling today. Have read lots of stories on here which certainly help and the support and advice is very much appreciated. Thanks J

At the football tonight, and i’ve not contemplated gambling today. 3 days down.

Nearly 4 days down GF, feels good. Been talking to the wife and playing with the kids which makes a change to following football scores on my phone. Big 3 days coming up for me as Friday is normally when it all starts and then i’ll Be chasing losses Saturday and Sunday. I have about £100 to last till payday and normally I would gamble this away. My challenge now is to only spend money on normal things and get to Monday GF.....that will be 7 days then and my first major milestone in this constant battle that I am determined to beat. With GamStop in place I feel confident that I won’t have the opportunity apart from tomorrow to go into the bookies so that’s what I need to avoid.