Day 26 and thought I should now start my recovery dairy.
I've spent alot of time thinking in these last few weeks and trying to work out where it all started and how it got so bad. I've been buying the odd scratch card and lottery for about 10 years and started online bingo about 8 years ago, playing a small amount mybe once a month. But I think it became more 3 years ago when I stopped smoking, started buying scratch cards every day thinking it's better then buying ****, and bingo online couple of times a week almost like treating myself with the money I saved from smoking. This went on for about 2 years before I started to think I'm spending way too much and never winning, then I discovered slots, seemed easier to win bigger amounts, untill I stopped winning and started chasing loses mybe 6 months ago. So I shut down all slots online and just stuck to bingo and scratch cards. Then I thought if I used actual money in the machines in town I wouldn't spend as much, I was wrong, so over the last 6 months I totally emptied my savings account of about 4,000 and spent my full last wage trying to win some back. That was my rock bottom, I confessed to my family and friends about how bad things had got and I've not gambled since! Still early days but it's already feeling easier. I don't think I would have got this far if it wasn't for this site, so thanks to everyone for all the kind words and good advice!
Well done mate for sharing mate, keep it up. One step at a time. It does get easier a your title says. I'm 16 days gamble free now and I can tell you that I feel 100 x better now that I did 16 days ago after dropping £1100 on the online slots on pay day. Onwards and upwards.
congratulations! You have a good start.
I also gave up smoking 9 years ago, and I think those who used to smoke a lot are in a risk group with gambling, as it all seems to be just different types of cumpulsive behaviour.
Let's keep it up 🙂
Hi JamesArthur,
Welcome to the Forum, and thanks for sharing your story with us.
It seems like you’ve been struggling with your gambling problem for a long time, and have now decided to take the plunge and do what it takes to overcome it.
Well done for gathering the courage to inform your family & friends, and I guess you now have their support too.
Try and stick to the strategies that is working for you, and it’s great to know that you have since not gambled after your confession.
Please try and contact us on our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers to find out about other help options available to you.
I wish you all the best in your recovery, and please keep up the good work!
Kind regards,
Beatrice
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