Relasped. Starting again

Hey!! You are not on your own. I joined here in October and was gamble free for 70 days and replasped. I thought i was on the right track but wasn't strong enough. Mine has also been online slots and i would also dream about them, dream of the big win. My aim now is to go longer than 70 days of no gambling. Ive not done any serious harm but still not great. We can get control. We are here trying 🙂 Good luck on your journey. 

Hi Becky,

I'm sorry to see that you've had to start again, I imagine you might have been feeling so deflated about this. However, I think that your post is full of so many positives. Your post reads as extremely proactive for someone in your position. You know the support you need, you have accessed support and have plans for further support in the future. This all sounds like you are now beginning to manage this situation and I have every faith that you will succeed. If there is anything I can help you with regarding signposting you to further support, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer or you of course can always call the helpline 24/7. 

All the best for this new year,

Hannah

Volunteer Peer Supporter

Hi Becky, 

Sorry you’re back at the beginning but you will always have those GF days, no-one can take them away from you. 

My advice - don’t leave anything to chance, triple lock all doors and options, talk to someone to open up and just be kind to yourself.

I took out tens of thousands of pounds in my husband’s name without him knowing but he’s still here and has supported me the whole time. I’m almost 900 days GF.

Take care, 

Claire

Hello there, solely showing empathy as I'm in a public library now with no resources or items of value due to financial hardship of course caused by gambling; but simultaneously low income jobs which I hate and resent which compel me to act out gambling. 

I believe the addition is multifaceted, I think lots of areas in life need to be healthy including occupational health in order to have a strong foundation and incentive to remain stopped. 

May I ask, just as a general question to know among gambling addicts like myself; Are you happy with your job? ie: Do you have high job satisfaction in what you do for a living? 

I recently had a really bad relapse losing thousands, generally because my financial life just seemed very restricted and there were a lot of disappointments I had after 2 months of abstinence. I know it's not long but while working exhausting jobs and just the mundane loneliness of my life being on low income and spending most hours of my life in misery spending about 12 hours a day commuting and doing miserable work having strange relationships with colleagues with no rapport amongst them. 

Currently unemployed but just looking at gambling recovery articles etc...

Just to respond regarding slots; I got addicted to them to, especially those near misses for getting the bonus features; they're all engineered to release dopamine like drugs. They rarely come, and sometimes they come, but even when those slot bonuses come; they don't guarantee to pay well or a jackpot. I know they don't want to give us any money on the grand scheme of things, but it's just that opportunity they sell by anticipating in them; and they know how important money means to the gambler.

Regarding self-exclusion I think it's a great tool for those it works for. For me, knowing the nature of my addiction which keeps returning in relapse infrequently however many weeks or months. It's even said that relapse is part of the addiction; which makes me quite hopeless for my future efforts, especially after my most recent efforts which were the strongest I ever applied myself. Therefore even wanting to stop permanently, it's almost like I have to accept I will always gamble again at some point; even if I genuinely want to abolish it for good. But it is known that the problem can only be treated, but never eliminated completely; unless they completely banned it and abolished it from the face of the earth; would leave a person like me without the opportunity to bet - even if I have an urge to double my money and attempt to make profit through gambling. I'd have no choice but to just keep what I have, or be miserable that I can't afford the things I need. Because evidently in my record, willpower/self-discipline is not enough for me, including the willpower/self-discipline I applied myself to attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings, journal and put in restrictions like GamStop and self-exclusion. 

In fact self-exclusion "for me", actually became an embarrassing intervention for my weak willpower at the occasion I attempted to return to get a big win/large profit again after abstinent time. It was a hinderance "for me", because I was restricted access to live casino games which are deemed fairer compared to slots. 

There was even an occasion I had a relapse and won a large amount of money at the casino and I was refused to be paid my winnings due to being on a self-exclusion programme. I was so distraught. You can find articled online if you search "man refused winnings self exclusion". It's almost intentional i think, as a revenue protection tactic. It's everything to profit the casino, even though self exclusion seems like a wise practical scheme to prevent us gambling - but that's if they could literally identify us at any entry point and STOP US right there and then. But people can still access casinos and bet in shops and potentially lose or win money, but the casino wont be liable to compensate you losses under self exclusion, neither are obligated to pay you any winnings even if you won the jackpot; because the agreement states you will not be on there premises; like a criminal offence of trespassing to begin with. 

It's a corrupt industry. I know that GamsStop is effective for online gambling however, even if i type my details I cant even register for an online casino until august 2027. "For me", I won't allow it to continue when it expires just in case I relapse and win a large amount of money, because clearly self exclusion doesn't work for me. If I have an urge, I just find a way to gamble; and the last thing I want is fundamentally to lose, but even worse - would be to win a substantial amount and be refused pay-out because I'm self excluded. 

But it it works for you, then great honestly. I wish self-exclusion could motivate me to not gamble. I'm not by any means advocating gambling by discussing my experience self-excluding, it just didn't work for me. 

I wish you all he best in your recovery, and staying free from gambling!

Hi, 

Thank you for the post, it is extremely proactive. 

Your situation is exactly and identical to mine. Horses and football in the bookies was fine. Manageable and when cash always in a budget, never ever once spent more than £20 on these sort of things. 

Slots, live games etc were the worst. I had originally lost a large sure of money 5 figures in 2025. I worked hard put it back, and guess what relapsed Monday 5th 2026, losing the same money I put back. 

I have to admit online I cannot gamble and that is what I have to come to terms with.

With your post, it seems like you realise online is the same issue. 
It is good you are seeking back control and realise about online. 

You can do this and will do this! 
Best of luck with your journey