My story -

Hi Lostandfound, I like you also had a problem with scratch cards, I have spent about the same as you over a longer period, I have only ever won £100 a few times, I think winning large amounts is the worst thing that can happen to a gambler as you're always chasing a bigger win! I really hope you get the help to stop this awful addiction. All the best with your recovery!

Debra

Thanks Debra, I went to a GA meeting locally last night, it was nice to see other people who struggle as well, and - without judgement- it makes you think how bad it can get for us if you don`t stop....

I completly agree with Debra i was 1 of those who won big but thats when my problem really started, scratch cards are the worse they seem to be everywhere and in every shop and it seems to me i only really noticed this after i won. Now my money has gone and im still gambling like i have hundreds to waste. They're a complete waste of time and money so the next money i have spare me and the kids are going zoo thats my daily plan :D. I felt completly alone but its great to see im not.

Update: I haven`t bought scratchies for 8 days now, tomorrow is my assesment with Gamcare. I find it easier to stay away from them as I find to sort out everything else which has led me here..... but hey, it is a start. One day at a time as they say.... Oh, and my 2nd GA meeting is tomorrow evening too..... I know it is our fault, but reading the stories here make my heart bleed that so many people loose so much because of gambling.... And the industry is relying on us, as people who walk away after a win, wouldn`t generate them as much profit as us who get consumed by G....

Well done on 8 days gamble free.

I've said it many times but even 1 day is a good start for a compulsive gambler.

At the start it's largely a case of breaking that habit.

Things do get easier but then the next hurdle appears. The it won't hurt to just gamble a little bit once. Oh yes it will because that leads to the habit again.

It can be done, but at this stage, get every bit of support you can.

Steve70 wrote: Well done on 8 days gamble free. I've said it many times but even 1 day is a good start for a compulsive gambler. At the start it's largely a case of breaking that habit. Things do get easier but then the next hurdle appears. The it won't hurt to just gamble a little bit once. Oh yes it will because that leads to the habit again. It can be done, but at this stage, get every bit of support you can.

Very true. People often think that once they've reached say 30 days gamble free it means they aren't addicted after all and can maybe have a little bet again.

Today is Day 10. I really struggled today, and some of yesterday to be honest.... I went out as cat got sick, and was thinking.... what if I buy one? It would be fun, just one Bingo, I would do it slowly and I`d have 5 min fun, doesn`t matter if I win or lose..... Today it was the same.... except I went into one of my local stores, was by the till, then picked 2 chocolates and left...... ( I only had 3 GBP cash, and once the chocolates were bought obviously couldn`t get the Bingo. 1-2 GBP scratchies don`t bother me.... ) It was a very close call. ( At the moment I only get money for what I need - eg. travel, other arrangements etc.....) I was not planning on testing myself but I am glad I solved the situation.

Hi LostandFound, Joetheloss here.. I am glad you survived. The disease of gambling or any addiction is so Cunning, it has a life and a Brain and it is always thinking of ways to Get us to lie to ourselves and tell us "SURE I WASN'T TOO BAD". I am 17 Days now, That means nothing to me, I could be 17 years and go back on in a Flash. I put Money back in my Credit Card yesterday, A big Wad of Money Totally Wasted, I wish I had spent it on Something else, I wish I had put it to Charity, these are the thoughts that was in my head.. I cant afford to be sad after the Money.. That money was spent foolishly in one way, but in another way it might be the best money I ever spent. Next Tusday I will have to Withdraw another Big Wad of Cash and Hand it over, and the Tuesday after that, It is not easy, I worked so hard for that money. My Sister was buried yesterday in London, I did not Go. I had seen her a few days before she died, that was more important. But if I hadn't lost all my Money, I suppose I would have gone. I supported my Family by Contacting them other ways and writing stuff for them, I sent my Niece a Poem in Irish I wrote about her Mother , and she used it at the service. Stick with it lostandfound, I will be keeping an eye on how you are doing. I know if I gamble again, it is the end, My mind will not handle the Trauma I went through after the last loss. Even some of the time after loosing that money that night, I cant even remember, it is like a blackout from being drunk.. I know now I was out of my mind, and very lucky to be alive. All the best..

Hi Joetheloss,

Thanks for your kind words, still going strong, been 13 days, though counting them doesn`t do much for me..... I thought as well that I could have sent the money to charity especially that I always read up on animal shelters and I didn`t..... I think the main thing next time we almost lose it, do it just that! If you feel next you want to gamble, pick an amount of money -even as little as 2 pounds - and give it to a charity - that`s what I am planning to do.....

Had my birthday this week - I have to say it was quite miserable, my friend invited me out for coffee and I had to tell her I have to have a freebee on her as partner did`t leave money at home (at the moment I am under financial control, which I do understand, but it makes me feel even more worthless as I used to do all shopping, been always very good with money and saving - well, up until I`ve gone mad in the summer....Someone told me at the GA meeting you don`t need cash, you can go about your day without it- well, it is easy for a man to say who works and their wifes are looking after everything else, while I used to be the one doing everything....... Well I suppose it just shows I need to dig deep and find out what has caused this madness - obviously other than having the personality prone to addiction- as one won`t just be gone like that in 3 months....... Anyways, lots of reflections, analyzing, better and worse days, but we will get there in the end! Stay strong too......

Don't be miserable be happy, the important thing is you haven't gambled and you're doing what you need to, to do that.

Sod everyone else, it's time you looked after no 1 here, you.

Things will get easier, next time you'll have the money and you'll get the coffee, because you won't want to waste it on a 30 secs scratch.

Part of the recovery here is to make sure that you let certain people know you are watching your money and for those not very close to you, you could say it's for any reason. For those close, you tell them, you are concerned you are gambling on scratchcards and you are making sure you do whatever it takes to stop wasting money on them.