Tried giving up before. Mainly under duress and pressure from family/friends. Failed. Continued gambling, continued lying, continued being a waste of a human.
Decided today that I will stop. No mitigating circumstances, no excuses - straight up stop.
Recently got a girlfriend, a cat, a job.
Have still been gambling but without outside prompting I have decided it’s time to stop.
26 year old male, just closed all of my accounts (l*******s, skybet, hills, 32red, coral, b*****r and B*****d). All of which had a £25 a day deposit limit.. all of which were hit almost every day for years. Plus losses in shops all over Scotland
Net loss on l*******s - £11,327
Net loss on skybet - £4,258
Net loss on b*****r £9,252
Net loss on hills - £7,360
6 years worth of wasting all my potential. Time to become a real member of society.
Will be posting on my new member thread daily.. for myself more than anything but if anybody would like to follow it and offer support.. it would be greatly appreciated.
And lastly, hello - my name is James, I want to change and I will change
Have woken up this morning (its 730am in Scotland). Having accepted that I’m not going to lose what’s in my pocket I’ve also made peace that I’m not gonna triple it or double it - I also made the realisation that my life/mental well-being/finances now are no longer dependant on events happening at a racetrack in Chester or a virtual horse race at Steepledowns.. I don’t need Leeds to win a game and more than 3 goals. And now I have accepted that and I have accepted that the only way to get money is to go to work, do overtime, work hard and become a reliable member of the team.
My thought for this morning - I have been through a lot and lived a whirlwind life, ups and downs (seoerate from gambling) and if I avoid gambling I can have proper ups more regularly (dates with my gf, taking my niece out for days out regularly) as well as not needing to sit staring at my phone or TV every time there’s a football game or tennis match on. Psychologically I am a nightmare (abuse and still not over one of my parents death as well as bullying and disrespect from several people) but I, James, am going to stand up for myself and do this for me.
People call me selfish when I gamble but the fact is - I’m being selfish now by actually looking after myself. And part of me feels conflicted about that.
Day 2 of the rest of my life - away to take my gf to work then chill with a coffee until I start work. How normal - I love it!
Hi James. I'm also a new (old) member. Joined again 2 days ago after losing at online roulette. Thought I could do this on my own but have accepted I need support. Day 2 of the rest of my life as well. We can do this
Jill
Just joined today. Over 10 years its took me to finally do something.
Hello James know the feeling when you mentioned you lost one of your parents my heart goes out to you. When my parents passed away i was totally lost and i just gambled to escape the pain. It does get better with time but you're always miss them but don't punish yourself with Gambling it won't give you a happy fulfilling life. I have gambled for 50 yrs and literally embarassed to say what i've lost but it is no different to any other gambler i've just gambled longer in some cases. Whilst your a young man stop compulsive gambling it is very progressive in nature. When we gamble we build little dopamine circuits in our brain which are hard to dislodge these develop from the brain getting a reward when we win ie Buzz..Dont live your life looking for this Buzz not worth it. Concentrating on building some anti - gambling circuits to help you inhibit this terrible addiction bless mate.
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