Hi everyone
I stopped gambling about 1.5 years ago when my partner found out that I used some our our savings on gambling.
unfortunately I started gambling again for the last 5 months but this time I’ve been taking out payday loans ? worse thing I could have done but I could not help it. It all started when I win my first bet so in my head I could win all the time , how wrong was I...no you don’t win but I enjoyed it.. not the winning so much but the fun of it. I only done bets on football £5 bets lucky enough I’ve never done large amount but it adds up to more than I should have spent.
My partner found out again I was gambling and I broke down lucky that she has not left me. She is now supporting me to get out of the gambling situation I have put myself in.
the worse part of gambling for me is the guilt of when my partner found out, how selfish I was to do it for the 2nd time. This time I am determined to get over this permanently as I cannot go through the guilty of hurting and lying to her. I want to better myself...
main reason I started gambling was because I was bored. I moved away from my family and friends and haven’t seen them much. On my day off from work I would be lazy and start putting Bets on to occupy my day, then I started to enjoying it and doing it everyday and hiding it from my partner.
To help me with my recovery I have put together a plan (with help from my partner) It includes the following
Cutting the time I use in my mobile phone ( I used for gambling)
more hobbies ie jogging, playing football, reading, spending more time with partner and going to my hometown on my days off
Hi ant and welcome to the forum :)) .
Boredom is certainly a trigger for gambling as are many other thing's like just dealing with life, changing that mindset so that you no longer run to gambling by finding thing's to fill that void is is key to moving forward with a gamble free life .
Your fortunate that you have an understanding partner that's stuck by you but if you give in again and gamble next time you may not be so fortunate , then you stand to lose a whole lot more than money ? .
You've made a good start , your partner knows and your looking to fill your spare time as well , have you thought of self exclusions or gamban or other blocking software for your devices ? or even downgrading your phone to a housebrick for a while , at least until you regain some more control ? .
There's ton's of advice on here my friend along with unconditional support as well , so if you need any more tips then just ask :))
I'm sure we'll talk again at some point but until then look after yourself and I wish you well :))
Alan
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