I've posted before here and yet my gambling has continued.
i started off playing online with blackjack, initially it was only about £10 that I'd lose. Slowly it went up to £20 a session. I'd watch people gamble £50, £100 and thought I'd never get to that point. I'm now at that point, I play slots online basically everyday. I've lost around £300 over the past three days and nearly fully depleted my pay cheque. I really can't continue to lost this sort of money, it effects my mood massively and I feel it is starting to limit life.
I want this to finally be the point that I stop, I am looking for the advice of others who have stopped. What helped you to avoid slots? I find that my access to money nowadays is so so easy, I can access my bank account in seconds, when I run out I can borrow money. It puts me in very difficult situations.
Friends know that I gamble but they don't know quire how bad it is. None of my family know and I would find it incredibly long difficult to tell them.
At this point I feel like I've lost any structure in what I'm writing so I'm just going to waffle on for a bit. It upsets me how easy it is to access various online sites. I have banned myself from tens of sites, probably around 50 sites. You name the site, I've had an account but I just keep on finding more to access. Even though I know the chance of me winning is minute I just chase and chase and have to stop! I've got to the point of losing my appetite, all motivation to work hard or go to the gym is gone. I can't handle it anymore. At 20 I shouldn't be in such a situation and I only have myself to blame.
This is finally the time that it all ends, I've had enough. I've said it before in a post that I'm going to post on this forum daily but I never did it. This time I'm going to post as regularly as possible to update you on my progress but mainly for your assistance in Quiting for good. Even though I've never met any of you and probably never will I feel like we can all hope each other and together we will stop.
Lastly, if anyone has any advice on how to wipe out existing debt (£600 or so) I'd really appreciate it. I want to get back on my feet and back to the old jolly me. Thanks guys and best of luck.
Hello thatitguy,
It's great that you've come back. I hear where you're coming from with your frustration that there are so many sites to exclude from. You mentioned before that you had trouble getting blocking software for your Mac. Did you have a look at Net Nanny?
You may also be able to block gambling sites by contacting your internet provider and your mobile network provider. There's more information at our website: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do
Have you considered counselling? A lot of forum users have found it helpful, and it's available free in most areas, and by webcam if you can't reach a face to face counsellor.
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/face-face-counselling
As you said, keep posting - the more you post and comment on other's diaries, the more support you will receive in return. Look forward to your regular posts.
Best wishes
Deirdre
Forum Admin
I have a similar story to you! I am a gambling addict and just lost my food money for the rest of the month! I hide my gambling but now need money and have debt problems! I used to only gamble disposal income but my belief in thinking I could always win it back with one bet meant that I now keep going! I panic after placing a bet thinking right need to win it back now! I just loose bet after bet and swap from site to site! Like me I wonder why I do it? It is like self punishment putting yourself through this over and over again! Payday is gamble day and the rest of the month with £10 a week for shopping! I survive! Why? Just so I can bet! I loose money over and over again! I think about what I could have bought with that money! I may as well just given it to a stranger! I am working to give my money away! Why? These are all questions I need to answer before making a bet!
Hi Deirdre,
Thanks for the advise on net nanny I shall take a look. Regarding the counselling I know that I can get the webcam counselling for free and decided that would be the next step if I can't stop on my own this time. Thanks for the help and support! Loseroraddict, I feel exactly what you are talking about. I'm sure we both know that the chances of us making a return on our bet are extremely low but do it anyway. Personally, I'll lose a bit and think it's okay I can get by with what I have and then I'll gamble again and trick myself into thinking I'm okay. You should try as I am to come on here regularly and read the stories of others and chat to others.
I feel like it really is helping me, I have not had the urge to gamble since Sunday and I feel better. Thank you so far for the assistance. Regarding money, I've realised that stopping and focusing my thoughts elsewhere such as work is the only way to reach the target of no debt. I am working toward a promotion and will achieve it and pay off my debt. I'll keep you posted, good luck everyone.
Hi
I was in the same situation as you I have signed up to many many sites and blocked and banned myself and always managed to find more. It's so easy to say just put a tenner on and walk but never works like that. We chase and chase and always ends up the same. Your debt is not too high but if you continue down this route the debt will just get bigger and bigger. Can you hand over your finances for a while till you feel strong enough. Cancel your card so you don't remember the numbers and when you get it scratch the last security code or get someone else to do it so you never see it.
Also try to keep your self busy using a gym or going for a run or bike ride anything to keep you occupied.
Don't beat yourself up we all make mistakes just stop now because things will only get worse if you continue.
Life is for living.
All the best x
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.
