New to quiting

Hi Ojm

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your sharing your story with us.

You mentioned stopping gambling previously. I'm just wondering how you managed to do that/what strategies you used? It might help you now to think about what helped you stop gambling in the past. Well done for closing your online accounts, that's a great step. As well as closing your accounts, you can self-exclude, which would ban you from using that site and all contact (i.e. promotional emails) should then cease too. You can also self-exclude from the betting shops. As well as this, perhaps there is someone you trust who could take control of your finances, so that when the urge to gamble does come, it's even more difficult to act upon it?

Planning your free time in advance, as you have suggested, can be helpful. As well as this perhaps you have other interests/hobbies which you could start to focus more on. It will be important to fill your time with something else.

As well as these practical changes that you have already started to make, there is specialist support available. We provid one-to-one counselling: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/face-face-counselling/find-local-counselling#.VnAvfS1FCIY , and there are support groups provided by Gamblers Anonymous if you prefer the idea of group support: http://gamblersanonymous.org.uk/index.php/ga-meetings/find-a-meeting

If you would like to get in touch to discuss this further with one of our advisers then please do call the freephone helpline: 0808 8020 133 or netline: https://icontact.mplaurora.net/ChatApp/JoinChat.aspx . Both services are open daily from 8am-midnight.

I wish you all the best.

Laura

Hi Ojm

Firstly well done for admitting you have a problem and for seeking help. I can relate to your story as it took 2-4 years to get my compulsive gambling under control. I also gambled from the age of 17, I'm now 31. During those years I had spells of not gambling of up to 6 months, than slipped back into it. It is an extremely disheartening experience and a painful position to be in. I couldn't look forward as any hopes, dreams & ambitions would inevitably be consumed by gambling. .

There is no cure to giving up gambling, no on/off switch. It’s just about making a decision and applying it to your life. I accepted I was a compulsive gambler. I accepted that although gambling provided me with an escape from reality and provided entertainment, it caused extensive damage to my life & others around me. Been nearly 2 years now without gambling, I just make sure I keep my eye on the ball from time to time.

I think from reading your post, you have a great attitude already in dealing with your problem. You’ve taken the necessary steps of closing your online accounts & self-excluding. I fully agree that it certainly it is just about one day at a time. The longer you abstain from gambling the easier it will become. Try and keep yourself proactive in your recovery. Explore the forum, interact with the community. You will pick up so much information from others experience and strategies than be able to apply what you think works best for you.

All the best

Matt

ok so over the christmas period ive gone off the rails again, it started with a little go on roulette in the bookies and walking out £350 up and spending that on myself to then loosng a further £500 a few days later.

im ready to start a fresh, all this has done has made me realise that gambling is a vicious circle and you will never win. since ive been off work for xmas i havent been going to the gym and ive just been lazing around i hope starting back at work and the gym tomorrow will help me focus on staying away from gambling.

i was 11 days clean and now im back to square one, this time i will try harder!