Hi,
I have been trying to stop gambling for many months now and looking through the posts on this website has helped me feel a bit inspired to quit. I could have written some of the posts I have read myself and its comforting to know there are others in the same boat.
I am 33, I have been gambling in bookies since I was 18. I have been gambling heavily for the past 5 years.
Every payday I pay debts from previous month then gamble all my leftover money.
Recently, I figured out I could clear my main debts during next 10 weeks (CCx2, payday loan and pawn shop). I just had to stay in house and make sure I bought basic food items no splurges. I would have 200 a month (next month) to live on. I did not gamble for 2 weeks partly because I had no money.
Anyway, after 2 weeks, before payday, I pawn an item to raise 100 to go gambling. If I had lost the money I could have lost my job as I needed travel money. I was lucky, within a few hours I win enough to pay all my main debts and outgoings before payday and I actually paid the majority of them after walking out bookies.
I decided to stop gambling there and then and figured out I had finally got that win I needed to stop and would not get another payout like that for a while anyway. š
Payday was 2 days later, I had a whole wage to spend on myself or historical debts. On payday I went straight to bookies and lost half my wage. Next day, went straight to bookies and lost the other half. Next day, CCs busted out again. My mind seems to get in a haze and I cannot stop myself from doing the same stupid thing every month. š
I never win, I get myself in to the same situation every month. I live on the basics every month and I have no money to treat myself to nice things. Its like i cannot settle unless I am skint and debts are all at limit.
Cheers,
Hi degenerate,
Welcome to the forum, and well done also for posting here.
I’m glad you find reading the post from our forum inspiring and comforting. Perhaps it’ll also create some awareness for you, to realise that it’s possible to overcome your gambling addiction, and that you aren’t alone in this. You’ll also find a lot of support and advice from here.
You came so close to stopping, and yet too far because, you were unable to stick to your boundaries. Keeping to the boundaries are very important in situations like yours. One final bet doesn’t work here; you just have to stop chasing your losses as you’re not going to recover those monies back. What you must do is to apply a strategy to help you to walk away from it.
I gathered from your post that your gambling habit has been formed over a period of 15years, and as a result, it will take you some time to stop it. It’s doable, but it won’t happen overnight. Habits are not easy to get rid off thus, you’ve got to be patient with yourself, and take it one step at a time, whilst observing the strategies and the boundaries.
It’s also important that you find something to replace your gambling time; something that can surely distract you from gambling - activities/ hobbies. You should try not to be put off by a relapse; in fact, that should even make you more determined to try harder to stop.
I’ll encourage you to try your best in following our advice on boundaries and strategies. Also keep reading the post from here for strength, hope, and for more strategies on how to stop.
In case you need further help, you can also reach us via our free phone Helpline on 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers. An adviser can also refer you for 12 sessions of free counselling if you think that would help you to overcome your gambling addiction.
Thanks for your post, and please do post as often as you can.
Best wishes,
Beatrice
Thanks for advice. I will give the number a call.
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