So I have been actively playing slots online for the past 4 years, I’ve tried everything to stop (given bank cards to friends, blocked my phone and laptop) but I always seem to find a way. I’ve been really fortunate in the past few months and managed to pay off my £40,000 of gambling debts by winning big, thought that would stop me.... nope! I continued to play, using my partners email address, opening neteller accounts in her name, taking new credit cards and having her as an additional card holder. I managed to win £26,000 the other day and blew the lot! Debt is now back over £10,000...Such a loser. Anyway I’ve decided enough is enough, I am a dad of three kids, own a successful business and do not want to keep being in this position. Any advice on how to stay focussed and not give in to temptation would be greatly appreciated. At my worst I have made myself ill with the stress of it all and I really want to conquer this. I believe that the vile companies that are allowed to operate need to be better policed, I can open an account and spend £80 for a single spin without any trouble. I get that it is a choice to play but as an addict this is not easy. Anyway sorry to go on and thanks for reading my sad little story.
Hello there, I have just typed up what helped on another post. I am going to be lazy and paste it below.
My poison was/are slots.
I am just over 100 days free at the moment. Got myself in a 100k mess. The steps I took are:
Told my husband absolutely everything, every last sordid debt.
Handed over my online finance details. He changed all passwords.
Handed over all my cards and he gave me cash when I needed.
Signed up to credit reports and gave him the account details so he can check whenever he needs to.
Signed up to GameStop and self excluded for 5yrs.
Also, before GameStop went live self excluded from every account I had. Did this in front of my husband.
Obtained telephone counselling from gamcare. For me this was the biggie as it got me to understand the reasons why I gambled then come up with strategies to cope with these issues in other ways.
Not going to lie it was bad with my husband for the first few months. I don't blame him and accepted most of it because it was true. Answered any questions he had and anytime he wanted to check my spending was also fine. That was his right because I brought the debt to his door to.
He is starting to trust me again, a bit too much for my liking. Our relationship is getting better and I am soo much happier not gambling any more.
I write a diary in the recovery section which helps me work through my thoughts and feelings.
I do regularly read the friends and family section of the forum as it keeps the devestation and ruin gambling can sause to our loved ones. I do feel bad for doing this as it feels that I am gaining my strength from the hurt others are feeling through no thought of their own.
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