It has cost my life

This is gambling for you it will take stuff from you money cant buy, this addiction make you selfish, it turn good people into monsters, lying cheating deciving is all part of the package after my last relapse i made a promise to myself i will do everything in my power to stop this addiction, you have to go to extreme measures its the only way, it will burn u to ground, the addiction is so powerful no matter how smart u are no matter how much money u have if your an addict it will take everything away, its happened millions times before the gaming industry have professionals making games more and more addictive its only business for them, the gambling industry isnt going anywhere so we as gambling addicts have to go extreme lenghts, one bet can change a person life as u know, the addiction can be contained but never beaten even the people who have been G/f for decades understand the seriousness of this addiction they just dont feed it, im happy to contain this addiction if it means sarcificing anything that will temp me gambling ive lost the fight but not the battle 

Hi josh,

Sorry to hear your story but please don't give up. I would focus on sorting out the gambling first and prove to your girlfriend you can do it. The first thing is try and put blocks in place. It's really difficult to think that you can never gamble again. 

I have had many ups and downs but now I've been nearly 2 years without a bet. I was 50k in debt and spent 5 years paying off an iva. Now I have a house, wife and 2 kids 

It's very difficult to start, but you have to start somewhere. I have gamblock in place which believe me is the best thing. If you asked me would I like to gamble again the honest answer is yes of corse, but I can't anyway with the blocks in place. 

Life is a lot easier and less stressful without gambling. I also have wife and kids to think about and the guilt from the lies can eat you up. 

It takes time but you can do it. I was in such a terrible place and managed to get back on track. 

Not sure if this helps, if you need to chat sometime let me know

@danp4 thanks really appreciate your response I’m on the right road. I need to do it for myself and hopefully my ex can see what I’m trying to do. Thank you

@tazman thanks for the response I feel back the right road it made me a compulsive lier to my gf which hurts me most. I’m going to prove everything I can to myself and her. Thanks 

Hi @josh1991

Thanks for the post. I really enjoyed reading your story, very humbling and sobering. I agree with many of the points posted by @danp4& @tazman and echo their sentiments. I too took on an enormous amount of debt and constantly lied, the final straw for me was stealing from my mother which broke my heart. I couldn't see a way out but I managed to do it by making decisions and backing myself to deliver on those decisions. 5 years on I am out of debt and and have a routine that helps me survive. 

Keep going 

@oranje01 thanks for the response it’s such a horrible addiction it’s an illness we will all get through this together.

@oranje01 these stories are far too common it goes to show why the gambling industry is worth billions, their are ppl promting stuff like match betting to other people which is totally wrong as some the viewers maybe potential problem gambliers in the future yes it might work for very few they shouldnt be promoting it 

@josh1991 

I agree with your illness analogy. The damage is long lasting. I've learnt the hard way but still have a strong desire to gamble, I've made it virtually impossible for me to gamble however it doesn't stop my from attempting to try, fortunately my attempts are futile as the blocks and selfexclusion framework is preventing me from gambling.

@josh1991 mate u need to be careful even places like the cinema have some form of gambling i have already had a relapse because of it u cant be involved in any form of gambling even if it innocent on your part, even going to the cinema their a risk for a relapse has they have those stupid games where u can win prizes, plan ahead and do everything in your power, ive started booking tickets in advance and going just in time its very easy to relapse so u have to put extreme measures in your part, a single mistakes is very costly