I’m new here.Never say never!

Hiya, I'm sorry to read that you've had a small slip on your road to recovery but please do just treat it as that and get back to being GF. I will be 3 years GF in Jan '21 and have used only GamStop as online was my problem, it worked wonders for me although I was in too much financial trouble at the time to concern myself with trying to get around it in anyway and by the time I'd got myself on the route to financial recovery any urge I may have had was gone (thankfully!!). I don't let my guard down at all and visit this site frequently to remember my journey and to offer support to others.  I fully recommend that you put whatever blocks in place that are available to you as they will most definitely help you in those times when you have an off day.  I wish you all the very best on your  GF journey.

Thank u si_mon to take your time to read and comment my post?

What a amazing result you have achieved,3years wow!!Please tell me what was giving you the biggest satisfaction and motivation?

The fact that you were paying off your debts and not creating the new ones?

The piece of mind ,less stress or mood changes when not gambling?

or something else?

Yes,I think I’m ready for this Gamstop step as in my everyday life I represent all or nothing thinking-so probably it will be beneficial if I knew that there is no option I can play..

if you could do it,big chance I can do it?

xxx

Hiya, I think there's a bit of everything thrown in. I was in a right state 3 years ago and it was causing sleepless nights and general anxiety, that is obviously now a lot better and has been for quite a while (coming clean to loved ones and friends helped me with that too).  

My problem was pretty much gambling on my phone, I just couldn't put it down, I was fairly cash fluid due to having my own business even though lots of it wasn't mine but the tax mans. Once I actually took my head out of the sand and realised the c**P I'd got myself into I cancelled my betting accounts and a couple of months later I registered with GamStop, I think the registering with GamStop largely contributed to my not returning to gambling as I do remember feeling quite complacent about things a few months later but with that in place I was blocked.

I paid the last instalment of my debt last week, just before my birthday and that was a fantastic feeling. I can now look forward to being in the black and rebuilding my credit rating (my credit card utilisation was through the roof at one point, I had 8 cards and high credit limit. I used to take out cash to put into my current a/c and either transfer to my betting account or use it to pay bills that should have come from my income. I shudder at some of my actions once the fog lifted but accept that it's happened and look forwards, I think I'm lucky to have that mindset as I know lots of people do have problems with letting it go)

Back to you, you've shown that you can abstain from gambling but you just need some of those safety nets such as GamStop in place for the moments of weakness/complacency, you will not regret it I promise. I wish you all the very best and look forward to reading up on how you are getting on with things, you absolutely can do this!

Hi there again,

Gamstop is put in place.I feel very ambiguous about this.As probably for the first time since these 11years I did something serious to stop myself from gambling.I must admit that some part of me will miss my escapism tool-it’s not easy to give up something which I was sooo attached to for so long.

But when I think about the damage I made,how many times I was depriving myself of some basic goods.Not mentioning about constant juggling with overdrafts,borrowings from my friend to cover up my debts.I know already that quality of life will be much different when I stop..

coming back to your reply...I like the way you present the facts from your life.I can feel your calmness-yes.something had happened in my life,the lesson hit me really hard-but now I can give example to others...

and this is how you made me to take this big step.

thank you xxx

It’s a bizarre thing to be giving up a hobby, something that you enjoy and love. I’m the same, I love horse racing! 
I love talking about it, I love the research, it’s something I’m passionate about. But I get carried away and it then becomes damaging. 

Remember the negatives! And all the heart ache and that sick feeling you get!

And never let your guard down that’s my weakness! You think you’ve passed the addiction and you have one fun bet, but you end up chasing and loosing it all again.

 it’s also hard to come to terms with knowing you’ve lost all that money, all those nice things we could have had but remember if you didn’t stop now it could be a lot worse in years to come.

Good luck xx

Hi Lofty931,

Nice to hear from you.

I love horses,I always wanted to have one?Shame that placing bets on them put you in some trouble-as we can see it’s very easy to cross that line and be addicted from actually everything.

You know what I hated the most about being a gambler?The fact that I was behaving like zombie,I was numb-counting hours to play again...as I had daily deposit limit put in place.I was waking up after midnight when the limits renewed again.As I was playing on my phone-I wasted some lovely moments in my life being busy starring at my phone.I stopped looking after myself,my close ones as the buzz from the game counted the most.But when I think I was from runaway from myself and real life for 11years-that’s what I regret the most.

Money and debt wise-I could have a better quality life.....but I can do it from now on-when I have no pratical chance to play anywhere as I’m banned?

I wish you to stay positive!Try to shift your energy and potential(analitical thinking) you have to something not involved with money.I think you can achieve a lot in life.

xxx

Thank you @miafortuna some wise words.

How are you feeling today? Any plans or goals you’ve set yourself for the future! 
Keep positive and fill your life with positivity. X

Hi there,

I keep receiving the emails from some branded gambling sites that Gamstop has been applied and I’m banned from playing with them-so I have no other choice than enjoying my life day by day:)

I got myself my second dog recently-so he keeps me busy.He is my natural Prozac?

The one thing I have to say,when I was playing the day were dragging ,every hour was like nightmare as I was waiting for the new game to be available for me.
Now I simply live day by day:)

and what about you @lofty931?Have you found anything which replace your „horses”?Something what keep your thoughts away from playing?

I hope you did.

xxx

@miafortuna how do you feel when you see those ads? 
Im glad you have something to occupy yourself with. What sort of dog is it. That will keep you busy.

Luckily work keeps me busy and studying my degree. I also enjoy running and exercise.

However I used to enjoy laying on the sofa and enjoying a few bets from time t time. But although it was enjoyable some times, most of the time it was stressful.

Hope your having a good day and nice to talk to you xx

Hi there again?

As I’m renting my property I managed to  convince my landlord to have small dogs only chihuahuaxpapillon and pomeranianxyork.But they need lot of attention,proper walk to the parks etc.I do enjoy that as I like being fit.

You asked me how I feel seeing all these adds about casinos?Well I try to ignore them and shift my thoughts to something different.
Another positive thing I found out about you is the fact you are completing your degree?What subject?(if it’s not too personal)
I gained some good education as well,but 11years of playing made me feel reallylow about myself.
So please stay focus on what you are doing?I knew you must be clever when you said about these research on horses,the way you explored this interest of yours....apart from loosing money bit?

Anyway,life can be so unpredictible,what makes it more exciting maybe,but from the other side it’s a shame there are so many people in this world who got lured by gambling asking question why me?

Have a good evening.

xxx

Sounds like you have a good landlord! 
I would love to have a dog, unfortunately i do long shifts so it wouldn’t be fair. 
Must get hard taking them for walks when it so cold and miserable outside haha. 
That’s good you keep yourself physically fit! 
What did you study and I am doing my nursing. This addiction can get absolutely anybody and some people just have more addictive personalities.

What do you do for work? I’m trying to picture you as an individual, you sound caring xx

Nursing...it’s about carrying for other people as well;)

Apart from speaking fluently French ages ago?(BA)I did few Levels 2 in Mental Health problems and counselling?Yes,I do love listening to people,helping them.So we have a lot in common...but I’m really bad when it comes to expess my own feelings.But this  forum is a great platform for it.

In general I believe that sensitive people are more susceptible to be affected by addictions:(

xxx

Ah mental health that’s my area! 
I am the same it’s easier to help others than to consider your own feelings.

oooo la la french hey! 😉 

yeah the chat does seem to help which is good! And it helps occupy the time, and somehow build relationships over a negative situation. But that’s often when it brings the most kindness out of people 

xx

Hiya, just seen your post about putting GamStop in place. Very proud of you, well done!!