So my story started when I was 18 fruit machines couple of pound here and there and progressed into more. Started a new job in 2000 as a retail assistant and worked up to a management position clever me. Met my wife bought a house and had children but in the back ground my addiction was becoming more frequent and uncontrollable but I wouldn't admit I had a problem it felt normal. Over a period of time at my place of work money became tight debt started to settle in credit cards,maternity leave etc so u thought of I borrow £20 pound from the till gamble and double my money I'll be able to replace the money before my day ends and make some money for myself so it started and yes I won and yes I lost and the quantities got larger and the till discrepancies were becoming harder to hide. Back in 2007 the discrepancies were noticed and covert suveillance was installed and yes finally after 5 years I was caught and arrested and charged with theft from my employer of a quantity of £25k I attended court which was suspended on the vpcondition I attend GA and cease all forms of gambling which I did I got to meet new friends,helped others and used tools and advice given to me life was looking up I wasn't alone these people understood my compulsion. Court came around I was issued a suspended sentence,9 months electronic tag. As a consequence of my actions I had a mountain of debt destroyed my marriage and career and I was left with nothing but my dignity. So now I've retrained in a different field and now in a well paid position I have a nice new rented property with my new partner see my children on a regular bases But the addiction is back mainly online I've told myself I'm in control but I am not so I'm here for help before I lose it all again
Hello Koliver37755
Welcome to the forum.
People can and do come back from relapse and there is help and support available here at GamCare. There is free counselling that you are able to access for 12 sessions and counselling services are throughout the UK. You can if you wish call and speak to a GamCare advisor and they can give you further information on this and other support available. The helpline is open 8am-midnight. The free phone helpline number is 0808 80 20 133
There is also self exclusion from gambling sites online and there is also software to block sites from devices http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/blocking-software#.Vre8GvmLQdV
You have your own evidence that you can be gamble free and your recovery can continue if you give yourself a chance.
Gamblers Anonymous meetings are still available if you wish to return to them http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk here is information on meetings and venues.
Keep posting we are here to support you
Caroline
Due to my shift patterns I am unable to attend meetings I'm hoping that I could get more frequent support on line here and at the GA website
Hello Koliver37755
Welcome to the forum.
Well done for rebuilding your life. That can't have been easy.
Good advice from Forum admin.
Blocking software is in my opinion the best place for you to start due to the huge amount of online gambling opportunities.
You know from experience how this addiction can spiral out of control and lead to catastrophic consequences. If you want to use the forum for support then you might want to consider starting a recovery diary.
Best wishes
Glint
Hi glint
It has been an up hill struggle rebuilding but it's possible to do and I will get there again I just basically thought just 1 bet I can be in control but it never works that way. Thanks for the advice I will look at blocking software today and I have also joined the GA online site it just means I can voice my views and thoughts anytime I like. I may not be able to attend local meetings but I have all the literature I have used before on both sites and I am determined again to beat this illness
Koliver37755
Still struggling to find blocking software for iOS the restriction facility on my iPhone works but you have to be specific to websites I.e. Skybet.com I typed gambling and every online site gave me access except the sites i was specific to help please
hi koliver
very strong post mate , really touching at work at moment but love to talk more in depth , it destroyed u and u know it could happen again as its powers are so strong , its ur brain we are messing with and our brains control everything
talk soon
joe
Hi joe
Yes this is how bad the temptation can get and I'm hoping my story will prevent other sufferers heading the same way luckily I'm not in any risk of offending but I'm at risk of spiralling into the dark lonely world of gambling so I'm here to support others and self help and thanks
Koliver37755
No expert on this, but I think K9 Web Protection should work.
If the information you require isn't on the above link then if you phone the GamCare helpline I'm sure they will be able to help.
Hi Koliver
good to chat in the chatroom this evening. I have just read your story and it's really compelling. You have beaten this before so you can do it again. Make sure you have as many blocks in place. As I was told when I stopped smoking 8 years ago.......one drag and you will be hooked again.....Same principles.
stay strong and very best of luck
Thanks glint will look at the app tomorrow when I finish my night shift
Tilly
Thanks for the advice I'm putting up all the barriers I possibly can using gamcare website and the GA website to take and give advice it's helping filling my void and good to speak to people who understand the gambling illness
I'll be sure to catch you again in chat and again stay strong and focused goodluck with your recovery
Koliver37755
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