Hi,
I've literally just signed up on here. I have had a problem with gambling for the last five years. Started of with on line sports betting wouldn't matter what it was I would bet on anything from the moement I woke up to the moement I went to bed. This was hidden from those around me up and till about 3years ago when things got so out of hand I had to tell my wife what was going on. I thouhht after a couple of counselling sessions I had it sorted and felt as if I had kicked it but i hadn't. My 12 year old daughter found a betting slip in my pocket in my jeans and it has come out again that I am gambling again. I can't pin point the period of when I started again and I don't know why has anyone else experienced this. I have seen a mental health nurse and been given medication for depression. Can anyone else relate to this.
I can relate to much of it and i know many others will.
My first advice is spend some time reading round the forum. You'll find many in the same situation and some very simple, practical and effective advice.
Do that first and let us know how that's worked for you. Well done for being here. It's not an easy journey, but it's worth it.
To be honest I have looked at alot of the topics on here and things that have been suggested I have tried, my wages went into wife's account only used the card when needed fuel or shopping but I have still ended up in this position. Waiting for free bets to come along and then would start gambling of that. I have rang someone last night and self excluded from the bookmakers so that I'm not to served if I ever go in that's something I didt do last time and I have also contacted ga and am. Going to my first meeting this week. Just can't get my head around how I'm in the process this position again knowing from last time the effect it had on people around me and loved ones.
And you've used the free blocking software on every device?
I've limited my opportunity so much that to gamble would be such a ball ache, that even I, a compulsive gambler, have given up trying to get round my system. I've beaten myself and it feels great (oo-er missus)
How long were u gambling for and how long have you not been doing it
Cheers for that makes sense I like my sports cricket football any sports really so may need to consider what I do about it moving forward. Ive been in touch with ga and will be going to a meeting this week and have had a call from a Councillor today as well I missed the call so going to get on to them in a minute.
How long were u gambling for and how long have you not been doing it
I’m 41 and I gambled for over 20 years.
I earn a good wage and as a result my stakes rose. Looking back,it was crazy! I was out of control. In absolute control at work, with my family and in my community, but privately.... absolutely out of control.
Today is day 153 of not gambling and I genuinely never thought that would be possible. I’m never going to get complacent, but I know I’ll never go back to where I was last year.
It helps talking it through and it also helps hoping that my advice can stop others from losing the plot! Hope this helps you mate.
And unlike ALN (and due to having a job linked to sport) I still watch sport.
in fact I watch as much as I ever have.
what I don’t watch is horse racing, dogs, Chinese division 3, college softball, quidditch etc.. basically all the s**t that I would’ve bet on.
I now focus on the teams I support (Leicester City and Tigers) and other sports i enjoy (Boxing, Basketball, Cricket) and do you know what, I’m enjoying it more!
I cried at both champions league semis through pure emotion and I don’t like either team! I’ve rediscovered the joy of sport without worrying about corners, cards, next scorer etc..
Different people do it in different ways, and you’ll find what’s right for you. If it ever reached a point where I thought it was detrimental to my health, I’d have a go at the ALN approach.
I wasn’t mocking you and I wouldn’t mock anyone on here.
I was offering another perspective and if you read again, I said that I’d try your approach if it ever reached a point where I needed to.
I’ve seen others react in a similar way to posts. Maybe recovery makes us sensitive? Maybe the written word doesn’t always come across in the correct way? Maybe I need to consider my posts.
Apologies that you were offended. Your suggestions that I’m mocking you or not taking the illness seriously couldn’t be further from the truth.
I 100% promise you that all I have is respect for you.
I may lay off for a while as I hate the thought of offending someone in this predicament. I wish you well and I value your open and honest discussions. It’s helped me to form opinions and to see that there are many approaches, but ultimately removing temptation and opportunity are key.
Guys I value both ur options and there is no need for anyone to come off here. You are both trying to help and at the end of day that's all that counts. Doesn't matter which way you are dealing with it as long it's been dealt with and you are both doing a better job of it then me so need all th input I can get. I was up till four in the morning making notes on what has happened in my life since I was about 18 not finished it yet but feels good to get things down on paper. Have got my first ga meeting on Sunday and assessment on mondsy for councilling. On medication for depression now which lookin back on things I'm convinced has been there for years untreated, I've f****d up massively and hurt a lot of people especially my wife just praying it's not to late.
@rio2019
Don’t worry, we’re cool. You’ll find that tensions can rise here, as you’d expect. @aln is well respected by me and gives good advice.
I hope today has been kind to you both
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