Hello,
I write this in the midst of another tumble throwing money at different gambling sites on this stupidly addictive game.
It seems to happen every 2 months or so, started when I was depressed about 2 years ago now.
I've managed to get myself into about £5k debt on credit cards, I have a self inflicted plan to pay this back, but I seem to be getting nowhere and relapsing every couple of months.
So I searched online and ended up here. How do I beat this habit before it beats me?
Sean
By using every bit of strength you have to choose no, on a daily basis!
I don't gamble online but looks like I am the 1st one to your post & the 1st thing I learned was the need to break the Time-Money-Location triangle, removing 1 takes away our ability to gamble! In your case, I understand the advice to be to exclude from every single online site you use (as well as others you may think you could be tempted to) then use a blocker such as K9 (there are loads if you look) on your system that should take away your location!
It's hard to repay a debt whilst gambling as we compulsive gamblers can only lose since we cannot stop! So, speak to Gamcare, go to GA, have counselling, do what you can to rid yourself of this vile addiction & the rest will fall into place! You really couldn't have come to a better place for help - ODAAT
Thanks ODAAT.
After joining the forum last night I realised its quite common, which just knowing there are others out there makes me feel a little better. I also discovered ways of blocking gambling sites, which seems amazing.
I'm starting 2015 with strong intentions and a positive mind now.
Good on you 🙂
Gambling will only fuel your depression & then it's a vicious cycle to try & break! Not only are these people 'out there' fellow sufferers, they are here recovering with you & are proof that regardless of how hard it is, recovery is way more rewarding than gambling!
It sounds like you may just have caught this in time before it becomes embedded as a daily ritual. Use the blockers, phone the professionals, you have to do whatever it takes because recovery doesn't ever get any easier but the hole gets deeper.
Stay strong in 2015 & do everything you can to resist those urges - ODAAT
I relapsed, and have spent the night awake worrying about it. Going to work with no sleep won't be great.
The blockers only work on the one browser, I used another. Temptation got the better of me. The desire to win a bit to try and get out of the post christmas debt has only led to me now having to live on a shoe string budget until pay day in 3 weeks.
I am determined to learn.
I am also looking at attending GA.
Sorry to hear about your situation , what is it you gamble on ?
I gamble on a deal or no deal slots game, on any available website.
Haven't gambled today. Not going to either.
Well Done for coming back mate & for being honest! The only way to win @ gambling is to not place the bet in the 1st place as even if money does come your way @ a given point, once you get to this stage, it all goes back & more! I did what you did right before I realised I had to quit, I had £300 in my account which I decided was not enough to get me through til payday. Off I went to win some more & what do you know, a short while later (probably only a matter of minutes) there was nothing in my account to get me to payday! Since coming on here, I have figured that the gambling I did is easier to control as it's not available 24/7 like the online stuff & I have no idea whether all blockers work the same way as the one you managed to bypass does but it may be worth a phone call to Gamcare for a bit of advice. I'm sure they'll be able to point you in the right direction of a GA meeting too. You have to break the Time-Money-Location to keep you away from gambling!
Never give up, giving up & eventually, you will find a way how to - ODAAT
ODAAT wrote:
Well Done for coming back mate & for being honest! The only way to win @ gambling is to not place the bet in the 1st place as even if money does come your way @ a given point, once you get to this stage, it all goes back & more! I did what you did right before I realised I had to quit, I had £300 in my account which I decided was not enough to get me through til payday. Off I went to win some more & what do you know, a short while later (probably only a matter of minutes) there was nothing in my account to get me to payday! Since coming on here, I have figured that the gambling I did is easier to control as it's not available 24/7 like the online stuff & I have no idea whether all blockers work the same way as the one you managed to bypass does but it may be worth a phone call to Gamcare for a bit of advice. I'm sure they'll be able to point you in the right direction of a GA meeting too. You have to break the Time-Money-Location to keep you away from gambling!
Never give up, giving up & eventually, you will find a way how to - ODAAT
Thanks O,
Right now its easy to break the triangle as Ive got £83 til payday, so its food & travel or gamble, food and travel wins!!
Hopefully I've learned my lesson now, but I'll keep popping back.
Keep up the hard work everyone.
Got to go to an emergency dentist, which I can't afford really, lost my 3 days no gambling as I put £20 from my credit card on slots.
Starting again, aiming for four days now.
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