Lost 3k massive urges.

ouch,

you certainly aren't alone. I'm only 165 day GF but still struggle with the concept of day to day money. I'm forcing myself currently to trawl through finances and face into some of the decisions I've made. £6k in 6 years on bank charges alone, it's absurd, I've probably worked 4/5 months, 60/70 hour weeks just to pay bank charges.

Handing your card over can be a good step and certainly telling others is a fantastic thing to do but it cn't stop there.

Use the anger and despair as energy to take proactive steps to address your issues put in blocks where you can and keep talking to those around you, follow through on that counselling.

I think you should also be aware it is easier to take these steps right now becuase of the anger, we hate losing, the key is to still have the blocks and barriers and mental strength in place for when the pain of the loss subsides, which it always does.

My urges still ripple away under the surface, especially when I think of things I can't afford to pay for, then I want to gamble to win the money to buy the things I want - of course this never happens because I never win - because I never stop.

The bookies, maybe they haven't helped, maybe you have a case for contacting them but it's irrelavent really as if they gave it back to you today, you'd only give it back again in a few weeks time. Make it the best money you ever spent, make it the last money you ever gambled.

It's gone, accept that. The bookies are there to make money from you and I, they've done that. they beat you, they won. You can win now by not letting them have any more of your money.

I'm a compulsive gambler, today I am choosing to not gamble

Geeat advice thank you 🙂

Hello buddy,

I read your story with alarming similarity to mine when I joined some 580 days ago! I was on something like 67 days having had a small online gambling problem (tried it four times, a few wins then the fourth time lost all winning plus another £1800!) I came here, got support and put in some blocks. Thought I had it covered and then due to some pretty poor blocks on my end, burned through £3k in about an hour and a half. I didn't go into meltdown, I just felt kinda numb as I had already gone through the initial support, meetings and all that! I understood my gambling issues but the term "unhealthy" amounts of money was true for me too! I was amazed I could have spent all that, glad I had sense to stop as it could have been £10k of money that isn't mine. I have severely tight blocks now that I have never had to test since that day, and I'm fortunate that my problem was restricted to online.

The point of my ramble is........over time (closing up on two years) yes, the feelings of loss go away. But the money lost is actually not a consideration, the fact that it made me address gambling and rid it from my life is the most important! Money comes and goes, but if you carry on gambling it will always go......then your house......then your car......then your family.......then your friends......then your sanity. Amounts don't matter, your well being does.

Personally I feel amazing these days as there are so many positives. House, wife, kids, car, career, great friends. None of these are possible as an active, deceptive, unpredictable and guilty gambler!

Support is great but ultimately you have to do the hard work yourself. I'd never choose gambling to be a part of my life but I still understand I'm one bet away from having a gambling problem ! I will never be able to gamble again in my lifetime, but that suits me!

The urges will go, the fantasy will subside but it has to end now, or gambling will end you!

All the best!

Amazing words thank you and well done!!