Good afternoon
I am 21 years old and i have been a compulsive gambler for over 3 years. I have recently been made aware of this website and for the last week or so, i have been reading through other peoples stories and getting to grips with how this works.
My story is very similar to a lot that i have read on here. it started small on football bets and after a big win, it got worse and worse, the stakes got higher and higher and like most of us on here, i started to chase losses. my issue has always been sports betting and a short while ago, i confessed all to my fiancee. this was extremely hard to do as i thought i could sort my mess on my own...but i was wrong. after lots of tears and admitting i was in debt, i decided enough was enough.
i have told lies, as we all do and made every excuse in the past and knowing ive lied to my loved ones kills me. Since discovering this website 6 days ago, i have recorded my own diary, which has helped me massively so i am going off that from how many days i am gamble free. i used to use my mobile phone to gamble on sports betting websites but i have self excluded from every website i have ever used and also installed software to block me from accessing any gambling websites.
i have put in place a repayment plan from the debts i owe. luckily i have a decent job and should be able to slowly starting repaying these debts to get me back on track. my fiancee is very supportive and i feel i am so lucky to have her. i have an amazing future ahead of me if i stay gamble free. i will post regularly letting you all know how i get on.
i appreciate the support
Ben
Well done Ben. I'm new too, read a few posts first and did my first diary post yesterday. It's good to get it out there, in the open and start to see there is a future beyond. My husband knows everything now, I don't know how I got so lucky with him....he's been amazingly supportive. Your fiancee sounds the same and with their support and our own dedication there is always a better future ahead. I look forward to hearing more of your recovery in the coming weeks. Well done on the 4 weeks so far, it's a fantastic achievement that I hope to replicate.
Thankyou Orp, i feel much better now its in the open. i finally feel like i can move forward. good luck to you too, i appreciate your kind words. i will keep everyone updated with my progress.
Hello Ben
Welcome to the forum.
Well done for identifying the problem early and taking some positive steps in the right direction.
Aristotle said: "Good habits formed at youth make all the difference."
He was onto something.
Make the right choices, work at it and get into good habits and I'm sure you will have a very bright future.
Look forward to following your progress.
Best wishes
Glint
Hi Ben, I'm completely in the same boat, though I've turned from sports to slots now. I too have spoken with my partner but have not yet tried a diary, what kind of stuff should I write? I'm afraid I will spend time writing a diary to just then ignore it anyway. I have a very addictive personality, with all things in life, computer games etc, could you advise what software you use to stop gambling sites? I feel like this world is closing in on any gambler with a problem, it's everywhere you turn! Congratulations on your success so far and I wish you all the best
Hi glint, thankyou very much for the comment, it means alot to me and helps me through this battle. i apprecaite it!
L1J1W, thankyou for commenting and good luck to you too. i used k9 software. this stops me having access to online gambling websites which is a big help. get a trusted family member or friend to set the password on it, because if you set the password yourself, you can change it back yourself and allow access to websites again. i write a dairy explaining how many days ive gone without gambling, i write all my thoughts in there and i have a picture of my family and fiancee and whenever i have an urge to gamble, or feel down, i refer back to the picture and look back on my diary entries to show myself how far i have come. it really helps me!!
another day gamble free. thanks everyone
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