Really need to be strong

Hi Paul, I know exactly what you mean about not knowing why you cannot stop when it comes to online gambling. The online bookies & casinos are clever & these games are designed to suck you in with near missus, bonuses etc. You've done the right thing & admitted you have a problem. Gambling online is so dangerous you can lose endless amounts in next to no time. I've gambled since my teens played slots on & off for years but they are no where near as bad as online gaming. I am 101 days gf ( gambling free) it hasn't been easy but you can do it. You need support & to be brutally honest with yourself. Good luck you can beat the addiction cheers Mike.

Thanks Mike for the support and kind words!! Really appreciate it. Wow 101 days gf, thats awesome. That's my aim to avoid all forms of online gambling and get my life back & finances. It's only been 3 days for me so far without gambling and the temptation is there but I'm fighting this as I really do want to beat the addiction and get my life back. Thanks again Mike for your message of support!!

Hi Paul.

I can relate to your story, I started betting on football on the weekends when I was 18 that was never an issue it was not till I hit 20 than I discovered online casinos. On my 23rd birthday I attended a GA meeting with a big push from my partner. It's almost been two years now and I have not had a bet since, try a GA meeting if I'm honest it was nice talking to people openly in the same situation and there experience helped me a lot. When you are in the vicious circle it feels like you will never get out but you will. There is no better feeling than being in control of your life again.

Good luck!

Josh

Really great to hear your story Josh!! So pleased for you mate that you seem to of got hold of your life again!! That's what I want and am determined to do. Sounds like GA was a big part of it and is definitely something I will be looking into. Thanks a lot Josh for your incouragment it means a lot to know there are other people in the same situation or have been where I'am now and that there's a light at the end.

Thanks again Josh!!

Paul

Dark days yes you are right I also find ga very helpful real people with real experience gives me motivation to stay gf for the rest of my life .

Hi,

The title of your post is what made me reply. My story is in the diary section, on-line sportsbetting was my form of gambling and attending GA is my recovery. Through GA I have listened, learned and witnessed what this awful addiction can do to not only people but families too. Recovery isn't easy, you will "really need to be strong". Many members including myself have gone through the "honeymoon" period of recovery when after doing so well in the early days, for some unknown reason you feel as if your back is against the wall and can easily give in to what ever makes the addiciton bite back. Only attending GA could have prepared me for such a scenario.

Just to echo the great words from DarkDays another member who thanks GA for nearly reaching 2 years gamble free (keep up the good work) they mentioned "being in control of your life again". This is 110% correct. Something I related too again in GA was a member who was 4-5 years clean saying "when I was gambling I was out of control, now I'm in recovery I'm the one who's in control." The beauty of GA is that some people may not agree with this type of statement but others do and if it works for you use it! Hope you do find time and a local GA meeting to attend. As I've said many times before please give it 2-3 meetings beofre deciding if it's for you.

All the best.

Thanks Shep72,

It's so pleasing to hear from people who understand & have been in exactly the same situation and that can relate to what I'm going through. I feel really positive as well hearing from people who have not only been through it but have managed to beat the addiction and get their lives back. I'm listening to everyone and taking it all in and have firstly arranged to meet a Gamcare councillor about my gambling problem. I've cancelled all my online betting accounts and put a lot of my finances temporarily out of my control! So I've made the 1st of many positive steps in what I hope will be breaking free from this cycle. I know it's only been 4 days for me but I'm so determined and hope with support I'm getting I will be another success story like so many on here!!

Many Thanks

Paul

Hi Paul,

If you are feeling positive which I can tell from your reply your already making great steps.

When you say cancelled online accounts do you mean self excluded? This time last year I was doing the same but what I found extremely frustrating was I couldn't close MY account only self exclude. Luckily enough the frustration didn't lead anyway just made me think about the greed of the industry and their disrespect to its punters! All IMO though.

All the best.

No they let me close my online betting accounts!! They did try to offer a self exclusion period but I insisted and they agreed and my accounts were shut yesterday with immediate effect!!

Hi all,

I wanted to just say how deeply greatful iam for all your replys and comments! It's been a real source of positivity for me speaking to people who have gone through exactly what I'm going through. Also hearing from people who are now GF and have there life back is really inspiring. I want to let you know I've spoken to Gamcare and arranged to see a councillor about my gambling problem. Also closed my online accounts & have not had a bet or wanted to in nearly a week.

I know there is an awfully long way to go but joining the forum and speaking to you guys really did give me the belief and motivation to believe I can do this as I want it so bad to get gambling out of my life and grab my life back which I've missed so badly.

Thankyou everyone and I will be on here with updates and your comments and support are hugely appreciated. if I can support anyone that's also going through similar please feel free to ask.

Many Thanks

Paul

Hi Paul,

Sorry you got nothing out of chat earlier. It sometimes can be manic and 100 miles an hour with lots of conversations taking place at once.

Might be an idea to get there just after it starts as it can be slightly quieter.

Or keep posting on your diary.

Best wishes

Hi Paul, I joined chat just before you left....so sorry, conversation moved so quickly didn't see you there. Some nights it is manic. Some people just like to sit in room and read along. Some people are happy to ask questions. Some nights the conversation is very intense. Please don't be put off by your experience tonight, give it (give us) another chance. The support and cyber friendship on this forum is very real.

Hello Paul,

I'm sorry if you felt overlooked or disregarded in the chat room tonight. Although several of us said hello to you, I appreciate that it can feel challenging to make your voice heard in a busy room. Do feel welcome to join again and we will make sure to ask you more questions in case that helps you to take more space in the room. As you can see from the posts on your thread, our forum members are keen to support you.

Take care,

Forum admin.

Hey Paul....I agree with all the above posts... these forums really have helped me and the support & friendship is invaluable...Give chat another chance, everyone genuinely cares.

Mari x