Need to stop gambling (horses)

Try to stop this dreadful addiction . Stop now right away go cold Turkey accept the money has gone you cant get it back. Take one day at a time it comes down to this simple thing stop ! do not watch or participte it only feeds the addiction. You must starve this addiction of the oxygen it needs to survive in your braim best wishes

I'm trying, it's so fustrating I've got myself into this mess. I've also used 1800 savings I had around 4 months ago. I'm meant to be saving for a house etc and I'm here on good money, struggling because of this. I never had financial issues til I got into this trying to workout how to survive on 200 quid 

Hi need2,

Welcome to our fantastic gamcare community.

Well done for making that first step and reaching out, your story reminds me of mine to a degree. I had to hit absolute rock bottom before I took decisive action, you are doing this before you hit that point, be very proud of yourself!

The money is gone, but you have put yourself in a situation where everything is manageable and 2 years from now, providing you are well behaved, you will be debt free, imagine if you could hit that point being 2 years gamble free also.

We, as compulsive gamblers are very fortunate that we can put many blocks in place to prevent us from gambling, alcoholics and drug addicts do not have such luxuries. I strongly advise you do this as a matter of urgency, yes, it is tough, but it gets easier!

Speak with one of the gamcare advisors and they will be able to give you all the information that you need.

I also am a very big advocate of the Allen Carr self help book, you could read this also.

There is no secret or key to giving up gambling, but putting as many blocks in place as you possibly can will be a massive help.

I wish you all the best in your recovery.

Mark 

I've accepted the monetary loss. Just annoyed at myself, the most worrying thing is I've been hiding from my girlfriend she thought I had stop and havent. Just kept it hidden, she did say if its happens again she will reconsider things as I promised I was over it all

Well, with all that in mind then, now really is the time to knock it on the head.

Be brave, talk with her and let her know that you have reached out to gamcare to further help you with your addiction, most partners are very understanding, I hated having to tell my wife, and gave her multiple opportunities to take my child and leave me, but she didn’t, she pulled me closer and loved me more.

She will have to, along with yourself accept that what is in the past stays there, and will work with you to make your future a much brighter one.

From my experience on here it seems that most CG’s partners can deal with the gambling, but not the dishonesty.

Get the blocks in place and explain to her that you have done these things in order to help you both, having your nearest and dearest as support is invaluable in your recovery.

Mark

Cheers mark. Think I've got to bite the bullet know shes gonna go mad too. But I know it will come up

Good luck with your partner. Hope things go ok and that she’s supportive. You will feel so much lighter when she knows.

Em x

Posted by: Need2stop2

Cheers mark. Think I've got to bite the bullet know shes gonna go mad too. But I know it will come up

The hardest confessions provide the biggest relief, it’s very hard, but extremely worthwhile.

Mark

Having been where your partner unknowingly is my advice would be to take her anger on the chin. Don't try to explain or justify your behaviour because you can't and don't ask or expect her to trust you round money now or anytime in the future. Show her you mean what you say this time with the action you take rather than the words she's heard over and over.

There's lots of advice on blocks here. Do what it takes to stop now before that manageable (believe me it is however it looks) debt spirals into impossible amounts.

Good morning need2,

I hope you are as well as you possibly can be today.

Any day is a good day to reset yourself, but Monday seems to be the preferred option for most. If you haven’t already, make today your reset day, tell the harsh truths and wipe your slate clean.

Life will be tough to start with, but will get easier with each passing day.

We are all here to support you.

Mark

Thanks mark yesterday was a busy day, didnt gamble day 1 of no gambling I'm off today and annoyed, need to go do a shop, get a haircut and squash this now, logged into see I had a 64 quid credit charge on my credit card which has put me in the red by 10 quid. Paid this from, current account, also my phone bill went out, which I thought already had but hadnt so now stand with 47 quid in the bank. And about 40 quid cash. If I can get a shop today the girlfriend will do the next one and get me closer to payday, I have self excluded on all betting apps and looking for a good blocker on my phone, I dont worry about going to a bookies as hate them, handing over cash is far harder than seeing numbers in a bet account. I havent spoke to my girlfriend as feel I can do this get to payday and correct this myself without her been bought down by it.

Need to keep busy today, I did apply for a credit line of 400quid but was instantly declined and I dont really want to look at a payday loan 

Hey Need2Stop

good going on your first day gamble free... keep it up, as every day gamble free goes pass, you’ll start to feel clearer headed and much more positive about the future. Every so often the niggling withdrawal craving will come by. The trick is not to entertain it, don’t get into dialogue with it, give it ZERO airtime. Just straight NO?

as for your phone; Gamban can be downloaded to most phones to stop access to online gambling sites.

stay strong. You got this 

Em x

Thanks, really good day today, whilst it was horrible watching the cashier put stuff through I got an excellent shop from lidl for 58 quid (in my budget) and reminded me I never want to be in this position again, wouldn't think I was on decent money, I'm annoyed its taken me to this point but am using the energy to get myself to been debt free in 2 years, I have a commission based job and will also overpay off anything else to get myself back in the green, keep having mates message me about Cheltenham and saying I ain't going and am having a break on the horses. Noticed I had to pay for gambloc not helpful really as I currently have 20 quid in my bank. Been gym, had haircut and staying strong. Bill's are paid, food is in the fridge, counting down til wednesday the 25th til when this should all blow over and I'll be comfortable and can focus on the long term goal of ridding my self of this terrible illness. 

Thanks for the support on here everyone its helping and little stories of today are really helping me 

Day 4 of no gambling to start today. Cant gamble cus no money the real test will start when I get paid. Feel really lethargic and just well tired and drained. Keeping busy at work.