Thank you for this forum,
I have been a problem gambler for a long time now, I have been paid my wages at 3am in morning and lost the whole lot before my shift starts the next day many times.
Around 10 years I have gambled , always has been a secret and nobody ever knew.
This time was my final time though, even though ive said that many times before this time I know it is certain.
I got paid two days ago, over £2000 in my bank.
I went straight to the bookmakers and lost £1200 on the roulette machine, i was hoping to get a win before they are limited to £2 spins.
After that I came home deposited online casino with bonus thinking thats how I will win it back and maybe hit a jackpot, then I could stop, however I just lost the remaining £800.
Despite this I feel good and actually excited, because I know and believe I can finally be free now.
I did feel very bad at first like every month when I gamble my wages, Ive just had a baby so gambling all my paycheck was a horrific thing to do, I love my family so much so how could I do such a thing??
This was the "straw that broke the camels back"
I have a small amount of cash to last me all month and theres no way I am gambling that.
I am excited to living a life without gambling now, the stress has been horrific, the time wasted and all the rest is just not worth it for me anymore.
From this day on I honestly believe I will not gamble again and that gives me so much to look forward to, I feel now as if a huge weight has been lifted of my shoulders and a new world awaits for me.
It must be great living life as a non gambling addict, just imagine all the fun can have it really will feel like walking on clouds.
Anyone else that has stopped can you please let me know how it is.
I know it wont be easy but the benefit of losing all my money just two days after being paid means that I physically cannot gamble this month ! The big test will be next month when I get paid but im going to make plans what to do with the money, and as soon as it hits my account I will assign it accordingly and leave only a tiny amount for me to access.
I feel like now it is time to draw a line in the sand , let by gones be by gones and move forward and enjoy life.
After 10 years of gambling and running out of money every month now I will just chill out and find new hobbies.
I have to make sure I dont even get tempted to gamble a tiny amount because so many times
"ill just put a few pound coins in the machine and see if i get a win.." soon turns into loads of money lost.
I openly admit I cannot control myself whem gambling, I cannot even be around it safely.
Thank you for letting me post this, I will read it everyday to keep myself focused.
Its never to late to stop gambling just call it a loss, I always told my self in the past I would stop, this month i wont gamble all my money, but this time I really do feel this will be it.
Thank you all for your positivity and helping each other out, I cannot wait for every month to tell another month with no gambling.
If i go this month without gambling it will be first month since turning 18 which in itself will be a massive achievement, im going to make sure I assign all my next paycheck accordingly so I cannot access it just a few pounds for my daily food and water is all i want and need for now.
For now I am just grateful to have tomorrow on the calender , a cup of coffee, and a functioning body that gives me hope and belief that I will finally be free - how exciting.
Hello, firstly welcome to the forum. This is a great place to visit and record your feelings and emotions whilst also receiving some useful advice from more experienced campaigners who have been there and got the t-shirt.
It’s great that you have come on here with such a positive and determined mindset. However, be aware that your mindset can change very quickly, especially in the early stages of recovery. If I had a pound for everytime I said, “never again” and then within 3 days I was back gambling, I’d be a very rich man. So be aware.
I’m sure deep down you already know this though.
My advice is that you could do with some blocks in place to counteract any urges that may come your way. A brilliant block that has/is working for me is ‘GamStop’, the online tool which automatically excludes you from any UK licensed online casino site for up to 5 years. That would limit your access to gambling online straight away.
Very best of luck in your recovery.
Keep posting and letting us know how you’re getting on.
Dan
Thank you Dan you are certainly right, I must I said in my mind ill never gamble again literally a thousand times before, this time I really want to be free from it, i have gambled before in casino for honestly over 12 hours straight with no food only water totally engrossed in each spin but i dont want that kind of life anymore.
i am going to get that gamstop now, thanks. the real big test will be next month when i get paid, i set up transfer to my wife and others so once i get paid i physically wont be able to have any money to gamble.
If i can finally shake the gambling ill be able to really enjoy life am sure of it and in a way im glad i just lost, because if i won id still be at it now and the cycle continues. ill let you know next month how i get on, thanks again for your advice, im really glad the fobts have been limited but i cant think "oh now its limited i can play it" because am sure it will just lead to harder gambling again.
Install Gamban on your computer as well
I totally agree with Dan. Register to GAMSTOP immediately, you do this, you can't gamble online. You can, but to some dodgy sites with really bad websites and interface, which will never pay you anyway.
I have registered with GAMSTOP 9 days ago and I got salary few days ago, Usually I would have wasted on gambling half of it and leave money just to pay bills and survive until next month, but this time I have not done it.
Why? Because I am registered to GAMSTOP. It is very effective, not just the "exclude" but also it is taking away your urge to gamble, because deep down you know you cannot and you do not even think about it at all.
Join Amazon Audibles for free 3 months of audio books. Basically get 3 credits free. They give you 1 credit per month.
They have Allen Carr stop gambling the easiway for 1 credit.
Please download it and listen. It does kind of repeat itself but it really is the bible of giving up the gamble.
Find Sean1 diary and read his posts he has helped me so much and such a inspirational motivation kind of fella.
And.. Feeling good.. You need to start feeling angry. You have been conned for years out of your hard earned wages hunni. Fight back by not giving them one penny more.
Goodnight.
Bella xx
Welcome to the forum new start.
Im glad you have some positive feelings but you need to be aware that its process of learning and healing the mind.
Its a born again moment of finding the serenity to just let it go. Unfortunately its not about willpower of just thinking Ive had enough of that. A gambling addiction is so powerful that makes a mockery of willpower alone.
You will need to be ready to feel a pride that you have handed control of your finances away. You need to self exclude and block everywhere with a feeling of pride.
Learn about the addiction and it wont be ready to let you go without a fight. Talking to people close is crucial.
There is a pride that comes from knowing you are ready to seek help and take the right measures. Its like a serenity of being at peace with reality
My best advice is that counting the days should not be just a tick box exercise. The days will come if you are at peace with your own mind. I You need to focus in on yourself and ask if you are ready to have full monitoring of what cash you are allowed and how you are using any gadgets. Its actually a relief that someone will be monitoring your credit reports and access to cash.
If you are really ready to stop you will reach out for all the help you can get
Giving up trust is a small price to pay compared with the ruin of extinction gambling. You see I wouldnt trust you with money but thats a good thing because I care about you. People you trust will help keep your money safe and thats very important
There is no room for complacency. This is an addiction that can grab you anytime and it may always be within you. It can be beaten though and you will reach a stage when you cant believe it was you who did those things in the past
There is no shame in admitting to a gambling addiction. It affected countless numbers of people including plenty who are not ready to face it yet. Its a drug addiction to put it simply and with time to heal you will learn all about that
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Great advice above, I’m 2 months away from handing over my bank, I simply can’t at the moment for many reasons I’m not going into but I’ve got someone I trust primed ready, I’ve excluded form the lot and with fobt now a waste of time to me I’ve only one weakness and that’s sports betting in bookies.My driving force is the last chance I have, I’ve never really given this a full go, fully committed and put things in place like I have, I know I can do this because I have to, no other options or chances.Getting my finances under control then letting go will be massive but one I know I have to do.
We can all be gamble free when we gave nothing. I’ve said it myself. Easiest thing in the world to say you’re not going to gamble tomorrow when there’s nothing left yo gamble.
It’s the tomorrow when you will have money in your bank which is the hardest
Stay strong brother. I am new to this and just posted for the first time this evening myself.
I don’t want to rain on the parade but I’ve seen many people come on here after a big loss ( usually straight after payday ) claiming they have seen the light or feel like they have turned a corner they will usually journal here for 3-4 weeks and then once the next payday comes we will never hear from them again
My point is a lot of compulsive gamblers who have hit breaking point and lost all their money will use the forum as a coping mechanism to deal with the financial loss without ever actually thinking or dealing with the reason as to why they are gambling to begin with
If you are serious about stopping and not just consoling yourself about a loss you will need to tackle the underlying issue head on
@nipped - harsh, but true!
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