Relapse

You can self exclude from every online site forever, I did it and honestly it was the best decision I had ever made.

I’ve now gone on to self exclude from my local bingo hall as I was going there to play the slots too.

You can do this, it just takes time but you will slowly start to feel great again

good luck ?? 

@iayzljw2t3 

Thanks for this. Just don't know how to get through the month now

Food wise there should be help available with a local food bank, this can usually be found on your councils website?

bill wise you could maybe call and just explain the situation rather then ignoring them

i know exactly how you are feeling and this is what I always think back to now if I have an urge and it does help x

@iayzljw2t3 

That's really helpful, thank you. It's such a dreadful feeling knowing what you've done in such a short space of time. I just feel like a complete idiot again.

Yes it’s the worst feeling ever but you will overcome this as the days go on

just make sure you self exclude on all sites through here then you have taken the first step.

Number 1:

GET BLOCKS IN PLACE

Gamstop for online

Moses for local bookies

And Sense for uk casinos

It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.

Number 2:

When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping.  Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively), 

I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.

I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.

Number 3:

Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:

The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!

 U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)

You can not take your cards out (more difficult)

You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.

There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)

Number 4:

With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish.  It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019….. 

MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….

I have a Monzo card which blocks gambling transactions if that helps. Also i have a daily limit on the amount i spend on my debit card and bank transfers (as some casinos allow bank transfers). I told my husband 2 years ago i had a gambling problem and he keeps hold of the main bank account debit card for our joint account which i have no access to. I have relapsed a few times but they are getting less and less now. We have just been for a short break to a hotel and it cost £200. This would have been spent gambling in about 10 minutes before so i see how much i could get for that amount rather than gambling it. Don’t look back now look forward. Take each day at a time. Even if i won money gambling i was always gambling more so i realised i would never win. The minute i realised that i stopped. 

@cj1974

seems like you have had some decent advice sent you’re way, I just hope you’re alright.

dave101

@iayzljw2t3 

I've self excluded and trying to arrange food banks for the month. 

@poblwc 

really helpful advice. I'm trying to take it one day at a time . Trying to organise food bank. At least I paid my rent before the rest went

@dave101 

Cheers. Taking it one day at a time. Hopefully I can get food bank sorted and I will have to work from home or take some leave. At least my rent got paid this month. I can't go down this road again

Welldone that is all you can do taking one day at a time 

@cj1974 that’s good that you’ve managed to pay your rent.

have you excluded of everything now? 

@iayzljw2t3  yea 5-year self-exclusion online now. Was hard doing it but it's a big step I think