So here's my story, recently off the back off a 5 year gamban. Immediately the excitement returned. Having access to online slots again after so long. I used to go into the bookies to play slots so wasn't gamble free by any stretch of the imagination, massive amounts of debt. Gambled my wages in a matter of hours. Took out two loans back to back. Had the biggest win of my life. Enough to pay all my debts, the dream had hit. Enough to get me back to zero and have no worries. I sat for 2 days and gambled it all away. Not even a thought crossed my mind while I was doing it. The amount of times I've deposited hoping for a big win to get me out my struggles. Hope that it can all change, it did for me. And I put myself right back into it. This is the first time posting here. This is the longest in the past few days I haven't gambled just reading what everyone is saying. This is the first step to become gamble free. It used to be deposit for that big win to get my out my troubles. But now I understand it's down to me. I have put blocks back into place. I'm overwhelmed with shame and guilt at the moment. The fact of so many years gambling the financial ruin it has caused. The fact I've been telling myself that one big win and everything will be OK. And the ugly truth is. I am that guy who hit the big win enough to turn his life around, and chose not to. So I've laid out my story for the first time. I'm addicted to gambling. It feels liberating to just say it. I will be active on these forums and am going to look into some forms of counselling. Thank you for taking the time to read. Please share your stories as it gives me breathing space and room for thought.
Hi there and welcome and well done for making the decision to better your life and leave gambling behind 👏👏👏.
Last November, I too had just completed my 5 year Gamcare and like you, started to feel excited/free to be able to sign up to online betting sites.
Roll on 4 months to March of this year and I had already gotten myself into a few thousand pounds more worth of debt! Thankfully, I came to my senses and re-registered with Gamcare and put gambling blocks on my debit cards.
Roll on almost 9 months and everything in my life is again more calm, balanced and happier, knowing that all my hard earned salary is not being spent on gambling.
Put as many blocks in place as you can. These can really help to stop you in your tracks if/when those urges spring upon you as they often do.
I wish you hope and strength moving forward.
Take care.
Pink Lady 🩷🍎.
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