Same Traps

Hi tea and toast. Well done for taking the first step. Have you thought of registering with gamstop or gam ban. It can be a hard step to take but will stop you from being able to access online betting. I am taking part in the therapy course gamchange On here which really makes You look into your gambling. It’s been helpful to me so far. X

Hi Tea&toast and welcome to the forum

Sound nice I fancy a bit of tea and buttered toast now lol

I'm glad you are here. We understand and are your friends in that sense. I hope you can speak to people close to you because openness and honesty are the foundations of a strong recovery.

You need to sit down with non gamblers you trust and talk it through. The big question will come up whether you actually like football or mainly the gambling feeling. Maybe thats not the real question as gambling is a strong drug which takes over from most things...even buying food.

The best way to stop is get support from people you dont want to let down. Its hard to do it with your willpower alone. I dont know what you have lost or the problems it has caused you but you are here so it cant be good.

Gambling tales away your self respect, dignity, your relationships and your life. Its no game about a silly flutter...its a mugs game and you should be realising that now

You need to be ready to stop and do everything to abstain. That means blocks and people monitoring or looking after your money

The question is how much of a delusional comfort zone are you in? It often takes such a rock bottom moment to see the light. I cried for three days in a darkened room with suicidal thoughts.

Then and only then did the moment feel perfectly right to pick up the phone tell my father and start getting proper blocks and monitoring.

When you are ready you can do it and its a lot easier.

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

tt,

Welcome to the forum.

I used to bet on football constantly although it was roulette that took me over the edge. I had to give up all betting and in my head I thought I’d miss football bets because although I’d bet both midweek and weekend football the Saturday bet seemed “special”. It wasn’t. Its an illusion.

When I broke it down the football bets while watching live games just caused me stress. I was always uneasy and unable to fully relax like “normal people”. I’d be chasing money and it was just horrendous  - the last minute goal going against you at 5 to 5 when all other games had finished etc.

Nowadays, I can watch football without a bet and be completely at ease snd enjoy the game. It didn’t happen overnight. It takes a few weeks/months but I guarantee you without any doubt whatsoever that watching football for me nowadays is far better than when i was gambling snd a terribly desperate state.

I am football crazy snd generally a sports nut. I sit, I watch and enjoy a few beers with a game. I keep my money in my pocket unless I’m spending it on genuine nice things that I like. Before, gambling took every spare cash I had.

Believe me, life is better when you’re not gambling.

Good luck.

RR

Hi.

i am new to this and reading the comments does help. I felt at a all time low last Monday morning having lost a lot of money on a stupid online casino. Its been a week now I have not gone online to bet and will try so hard. I love the quote life is so much better without gambling and I pray everyone with problems conquers there demons 

Appreciate all the comments, I have looked at the blocking devices and my plan was to go through the forum and use others experience of these to decide. I have read that they do not always work and there are ways round them. I have gone cold turkey I am not naïve enough to think this will work all the time but I need in my opinion to break my cycle. 

This weekend has been the first that I have not had a flutter, the illusion that sports and betting go together is 100% accurate. I had no interest in the foreign games as I would normally on a Sunday. I watched my side and a couple of others. Knowing that even though they lost I didn't personally. I went for a walk at 3pm with my partner and kept active. I found social media difficult.

My plan is to use the money that I usually bet with to start my savings. Although when spiralling or chasing it is a lot more but I am planning on using my usual stake on the weekend and midweek games and saving that money.

I appreciate the comments and help

Dear @teatoast,

Welcome and well done for posting on the Forum.

Glad to see you are wanting to take positive steps to quit gambling.

Just to highlight about what you mentioned about blocking devices, we appreciate that not one size fits all. People will find some things do work for them and others it does not. Whilst I acknowledge reading this on other Forum members post may have caused you some doubt.  I will say not to be discouraged and give the blocking devices and self -exclusion a go. They do work for many and it will give you the time to get help and reflect.  Preventative blocks, effort and support do help sustain recovery and recovery does involve giving things a go and seeing what works for you.

I want to let you know that we're here to support you and that you can contact one of our advisers any time that you need to talk, 24 hours a day, on the Helpline (0808 8020 133) or  our 1:1 Livechat. we can also help you get linked into support and make a plan for your next steps. 

Please do continue to post on the Forum.

Warm wishes,

Vanessa

Forum Admin

Thank you