Hi to anyone who’s kind enough to read this.ive been a compulsive gambler for25-30 years now.ive gone bankrupt twice first time only partly due to gambling second time totally due to gambling.im ashamed and hate myself,I’m going through divorce now not sure how much of an impact gambling had on it but let’s be honest a part.i can’t believe I didn’t learn my lessons first time but I still can’t stop gambling,I don’t owe much now but every spare penny I have goes gambling I have little or no money but know this is caused by gambling,I want to either cut right down or stop,I can’t take how it makes me feel anymore and want to save to do more for my kids,I just don’t know how to stop myself thinking about gambling I wake thinking of it and when to put my next dream bet on,reality is I just lose all my money,I just want to stop but don’t know how any advice would be great,thanks in advance.
Hello there Sb73,
Welcome to the Forum. I hope you get a lot a feedback by other members. You have been gambling for many years and it is natural the you will need support to give it up. It might be unrealistic to believe still that you can cut it down. If you could, you would have done it. It is possible though to aim for recovering from gambling. There are group meetings by GA you can attend for ongoing support. We also provide one to one treatment. I would encourage you to contact us and speak to an adviser for further support and advice.
Wishing you all the best,
Forum Admin
Hi sb.
I would say that unfortunately there is no half measures. No cutting down. Stopping is the only way. I have done the “I’m not addicted”, I’m “cutting down”. It won’t work.
Break the habit, self exclude. Use gamstop.
Speak to Gamcare and ask for counselling.
I’m relatively new to realising my addiction but not new to gambling.
I have found this site, the stops, the talking in general very helpful.
I wish you every bit of luck with stopping this vile addiction. Read some of the diaries, read the success stories. Xx
Thanks Sarahs16 and admin,I’m definitely going to go for the councilling the hours I work and have kids makes it hard to go for regular time but I’m sure they can help me with this I have to try to win my biggest fight ever and going through divorce with kids that’s saying something just don’t know how to get my confidence as a person back and believe in myself x
I feel your pain , our gambling urges can be controlled by our emotions and sounds like you have one hell of a tough time at the moment , my adivse would be to seek professional counselling , takes a few weeks to be seen but then your getting proper help.
I also work shifts so wouldn’t be able to commit to a regular GA meeting at the moment but I am keen to start the counselling.
SB 73 , welcome. I have been advised that I have to put as much effort and time into stopping gambling, as I put into gambling itself...a sobering thought. As Sarah says, there are no half measures. In these early days is it possible to get someone else to manage or monitor your finances? You need to stop your access to funds to gamble with. Also it is a case of finding other things to fill the time you would have gambled; blocks at bookies, casinos, online ...they are all aids in the early days. Take one day at a time...when you wake up, just focus on not gambling for that one day...looking further ahead is daunting. It's not easy, but your lif, your self esteem will get better. GA has helped me, being in a room full of people who understand and don't judge. All the best on your journey.
Rhoda wrote:
SB 73 , welcome. I have been advised that I have to put as much effort and time into stopping gambling, as I put into gambling itself...a sobering thought. As Sarah says, there are no half measures. In these early days is it possible to get someone else to manage or monitor your finances? You need to stop your access to funds to gamble with. Also it is a case of finding other things to fill the time you would have gambled; blocks at bookies, casinos, online ...they are all aids in the early days. Take one day at a time...when you wake up, just focus on not gambling for that one day...looking further ahead is daunting. It's not easy, but your lif, your self esteem will get better. GA has helped me, being in a room full of people who understand and don't judge. All the best on your journey.
Rhoda wrote:
SB 73 , welcome. I have been advised that I have to put as much effort and time into stopping gambling, as I put into gambling itself...a sobering thought. As Sarah says, there are no half measures. In these early days is it possible to get someone else to manage or monitor your finances? You need to stop your access to funds to gamble with. Also it is a case of finding other things to fill the time you would have gambled; blocks at bookies, casinos, online ...they are all aids in the early days. Take one day at a time...when you wake up, just focus on not gambling for that one day...looking further ahead is daunting. It's not easy, but your lif, your self esteem will get better. GA has helped me, being in a room full of people who understand and don't judge. All the best on your journey.
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