Hi,
I was bet free for around 1 year 8 months. Today I was found out by my partner trying to take out a loan, then the truth had come out that I had been gambling for months.
Over the past few months I have gambled £100s/£1000s and funding it through disposable income then ultimately various payday loans.
I was already on last chances with my partner and my family and now the truth is out I don't think they want any part of me in their lives.
I can't explain what urge made me do it, all I knew is that as soon as I did it once, it became the norm again and chasing the wins.
I was betting in store with cash only as gamban and ganecare had stopped online gambling. I have realised the trigger was actually working in a new area and having access to bookies where I wouldn't be recognised.
I know I can fix my financial situation and I am committed to stop gambling again, but the damage I've caused myself (losing all I love) is not worth any of it.
I don't know how my future looks, I don't know where I go from here.
It will all stop when you stop gambling,things only change when you stop gambling.
Regards Johnny57
I suffered the same fate. Lost my wife, my kids half of the time, my dog and my million dollar home. You have to quit for you…because you want to, not because you need to for financial reasons (though I sure did). We are in this deep well. We must always hold onto the ladder because the well has no bottom. Gambling shows no remorse, no mercy. The ladder is made of the people on this site, the people that are still willing to support you. I broke trust. But this is a disease. I remember the HORRIBLE feelings I used to get when gambling. Literally shoving $20 bills into the machine, wanting them to go away so the torture could be over and I could go home. Don’t blame yourself. We have to be accountable, but nobody apologizes for getting other diseases. Grab the ladder and start climbing up. We will be climbing the rest of our lives. When I don’t gamble….I feel better about myself every day. We are addicted to the release of those endorphins. It’s the easy way to get them out. Exercise, friends, sports, other interests…. Until I used these to help me stop, I always went back to the easy way to make myself feel good again. How will you get the endorphins out when you quit? When I don’t address that issue…that’s when I relapse. All my best.
Hello Sb1994,
You can extend your self-exclusion agreement to cover additional locations if you find yourself travelling to different betting shops. https://self-exclusion.co.uk/how-the-scheme-works/
You mentioned feeling unsure where to go from here. Please call us any time on our freephone 0808 8020 133 so we can listen to your concerns, and so we can give you details for local support options, that way you can consider what types of support feel right for you.
Take care,
Adam.
Day 1 almost over.
I am committed to stop and I definitely feel like I never want to bet again. I hope this feeling last forever but I am not naive to think that it will.
Thanks
It's definitely taking that accountability. I am accountable and need to make sure I don't fall into terrible crisis again in myself. I don't feel that way this time thankfully, but I feel though I can only do this myself, without having to prove to anyone that I am.
Thanks for your reply too.
How does the self exclusion work please let me know. Thanks
Hi Poly,
You can find information about self exclusions and how these work here https://www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/self-exclusion/
Please call us any time on our freephone 0808 8020 133 should you need any further advice on this or to get details for local support options.
Take care,
Rachel
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