Hi I haven't ever posted on here before just read other threads but I'm at my wits end! I've been a gambler now for 8 years and have lost thousands! I'm currently 31 grand in debt and on my 4th week of counselling but I just can't seem to stop I feel so low and worthless I wish I could move forward and overcome this demon but I just don't know how please help any advise or words of wisdom would be greatly received.
Hi
If you were fighting a war would you give your enemy money to grow stronger and make you weaker. Im hoping your answer is NO. Well my friend your demon is your enemy and you are making it stronger ever time you give it money and this is making you weaker. So when the enemy is at your door ( in your mind) over the years your have made this enemy so strong its easy to surrender to it which makes it stronger so surrendering is the only answer. WRONG. You need to fight then run fight then run each time you fight you knock the enemy down (day 1) then run. Fight you knock them down again ( day2) and run. You cant beat the enemy in one battle it takes alot of time until it runs because its to weak but it hides waiting to grow stronger and make you weaker. We all have are own battles to win but the enemy is the same so help from others can help you win those day to day battles. Goodluck
Hi
Massive well done on admitting you have a problem and seeking help in the form of counselling.
Have you put any blocks/barriers in to stop yourself from gambling should you have a moment of weakness?
I feel this is key to help curb the thoughts and wants to gamble. I will go into some of the blocks in a minute. I am a compulsive gambler, gambling pretty much all day everyday, racked up serious debt and eventually lost my job due to gambling. I am now just over 100 days gamble free and rarely think of gambling. I feel the key to this is by letting your brain know it is not possible to gamble by putting blocks in to stop the possibility of gambling. Its strange but by putting blocks in and making them watertight it does something within your brain that almost switches off the thoughts of gambling. There are many but i will just mention some of the key ones.
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.
Also have you considered GA?
They and the internet informed me of these blocks and many others helping me abstain from gambling. GA also provides a wealth of knowledge and experience, like your councillor, to help work through this illness. Giving you advice to work through life problems which can cause us to gamble.
Remember its not a race and all your problems will not be solved overnight, take one day at a time and 'For today i will not gamble'
Best wishes on your journey.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
