In complete despair

While you choose to gamble no one can help you. When you choose to stop and admit the problem you can get help and support. Betting, gambling whatever you want to call it is a choice.

Thank you, Merry go round. How do you manage to stop gambling?

Hi Bluescreen,

Many, many thanks for replying. You talk absolute sense. Yesterday, I self excluded from my two accounts and feel great for doing it. Letting go has always been the most difficult thing to do and accept. I have always hung on, forgave myself and returned within days to gambling. This time feels very different. I never want to place a bet again. I am receiving support from my friends and family and I have my first Counselling session next Tuesday.

Today I will not gamble and that's what i must say to myself every day. Each day I can become stronger and I want to reach small milestones at first such as a week, two weeks without placing a bet.

Thanks again, Bluescreen.

Hi Knoc40,

Welcome to the forum, and well done for sharing your story here.

It seems like you’ve finally taken a step in the right direction by doing something about your gambling problem when you’ve been struggling with it for 30 years.

I’m also glad to learn that you’d be starting your counselling sessions soon with Gamcare. Hopefully, that would help you to come to terms with what you’ve been through with gambling problem, and support you to find a way to move on to a gamble free life.

It’s also good to know you’re getting support from your family and from fellow forum members.

You have the power and determination within you to go for that change, thus I’ll encourage you to go for it without looking back. It works if you follow the advice we offer you.

I wish you the best in your journey to recovery, and please do try and stay in touch so we can continue to support you, and also to know how you’re getting on.

Best wishes,

Beatrice

Hello Bluescreen and Beatrice,

Thank you for your great support. I'm really struggling this morning and feel like I can't cope with things in general. I have support from friends and family yet feel very isolated right now.

It is small steps but I always seem to want to run quicker than I can. I have real deficits in my thinking and hopefully my Counseeling can begin to address them.

Cheers Bluescreen !!

Today I feel a little brighter, going to Counselling later and this is Day 8 of my recovery. I'm so focused on extending my very small milestone each day and will take one day at a time. It does feel great knowing that I have no idea of what horses are running and what the results were. I cannot change my past and I only have today.

Day 15 today !! No motivation to look for money to bet with. I have my second Counselling session tomorrow and the first really helped. I am struggling in some other areas yet I believe if I continue to be gambling free then this will help me move forward.

Red Letter Day today because I am not gambling!!!