Newbie with a compulsive gambling problem

Hi Carl & welcome. We are all at various staging of managing our CG problem ... some at the start of the journey, and others much further on. Please read some of the recovery diaries people have written, I have found them so inspirational, though it’s the early stages for me.

What practical steps have you put in place to help you quit ? For me, I have told my husband (big step), and given him control of my bank / credit card ...

Hi Horall and thanks for your positive reply I’ve already taken inspiration from reading other people’s stories, my first step was too join the forum in order to see what progress I am making and not lose focus of the fact that this really is an issue and slip back into old ways, a few of my close family members do know about my problem so logically I think that handing over my finances would be a good start, I’ve previously done over 4 months gamble free without doing the things just mentions to you. But now is the time and all basis have too be covered.

Well done on telling your husband having your other half too support you can only be a positive with your battle, after getting over the thought of telling him of course lol, what sort of gambling have you struggled with most ?

Carl.

Hi Carl, I’ve just been reading your post - I can relate entirely to every aspect. I have been gambling since I was 16, first on the horses then online slots. I have tried god knows how many times to stop gambling to no avail. I’ve lost £1000 today, came within one slot reel of winning over £1 million (crafty ploy by the casino to keep you playing on and dreaming away). Today though is the last straw

Hi Norland and thanks for the reply, I think that for me I always set out too conquer my addiction when I’ve had a bad day or lost a load of money, but too be honest I’ve gone months gamble free numerous times and it just comes out of nowhere when least expected, that’s the main reason I’ve posted on this forum too keep the feeling fresh in my mind even when I’m on track and things are going well. I know how it feels loosing big amounts in a day, but sometimes because of all the pressure and anxiety it feels like a relief when the money has gone and I can get back to life, weird isn’t it.

Anyway congrats on making the first steps on your journey I look forward to keeping track of your story and wish you all the best in your recovery, WE CAN BEAT IT.

cheers Carl.

I can’t really pin point why I gamble. Sometimes it feels like a way of enjoying myself, a relief away from working long unsociable hours. Then other times it’s down to chasing loses to try and get back to where I was. Maybe you could try writing on a small piece of paper every morning before work like, day 1 or 2 of being free gambling free and then taking it out and reading it when you get the urge to gamble. Sounds a bit silly, I know haha but it helps keeps your mind focused. I’m going to try taking up the gym and maybe few other things so when I get the need to gamble I’ll go to the gym and take my frustrations out in there instead, it’s a lot cheaper in the short and long term

Slots for me ... I suspect it’s associated to my depression ... I have vowed to not have another Christmas scrimping around

I hope it’s going ok for you Horall and you have a really great Christmas this year and every year from now on

Yeah it’s hard to put an exact reason on why we do it, I just know that every time I plan to kick it after a short while I can kid myself into gambling again, even though I know it’s the wrong thing to do I can’t help it, but obviously that’s everyone hears problem it’s just hard too believe we do it even when you know it’s wrong. In regards to keeping a note daily there is a diary section on this forum which I’m going to start using, and the gym will be a massive help I always find routine too big one of the biggest things clean eating too, healthy body, healthy mind and all that lol, cheers Carl.

Yeah too both you guys have a great xmas but not just that let’s overcome this problem and we can enjoy everything there’s a big world out there too experience places, people and good times but we are limiting ourselves with this disease, This is my time to beat it no if’s or but’s I hope it’s yours too.

Hi My name is Peter and I'm 63 and I have been gambling for 50 years. Until a year ago I was gamble free for 15 years it never entered my head to place a bet again and then I stupidly joined an online gambling website a year gone September playing blackjack since then I have joined other sites and my gambling has as they say spiralled out of control. My losses in this period are in excess of ВЈ30,000 and to make matters even worse I ventured to my local casino last weekend and lost another £14,000 playing the tables. This is sheer madness as I know from past experience there is only one winner. It's been 5 days now since I have had a bet but I still constantly think about my heavy loss last weekend. I lost everything to gambling in my younger days and it has been hard to rebuild my life and here I am again on the road to self destruction. Well I am once again going to beat this addiction I know it's not easy to stop so any help out there will be much appreciated

Hi Peter, at the end if the day all we can really do is draw a line under the losses and try to accept that it's gone and start over. It's hard but you just end up throwing good money after bad trying to chase it and you end up losing your mind