Single Mother looking for help..

Hi Abbie,

First of all well done for coming onto the forum to ask for help, it takes an awful lot of courage to realise you need that helping hand!

I would first suggest signing up to Gamstop, pairing this with the Gamban app and also using MOSES to ban you from any bookies you regularly visit! Having these steps in place has really helped me. I gambled every day for 10 years and I’m now 59 days gamble free and its definitely easier to manage with these steps in place.

Secondly, if you have any debts that you are struggling to pay, contact stepchange as they can work on a plan with you so that you are paying a manageable monthly payment to all of your creditors! It really takes a load off your shoulders knowing that you are paying these off without being completely skint each month.

I’ve also found coming on here daily and just reading through peoples experiences really helps as well, as you will get ideas and answers to things that may help you in your journey to stay gamble free, things you may not have even considered before!

If you’re struggling with anything, just writing a post for advice is also really helpful as people are very active and willing to share their experiences and advice.

Good luck with your journey to stay gamble free!!

Shaw

Put some Blocks in Place it will help you recover.You can stop if you want to all the best.

Well done for taking the step to join gamcare. I gambled for around 12yrs, the last 5 being the worse and hit rock bottom. On the road to recovery now, day 33. Put all blocks in places, set up payments for bills and debts ready for pay day and budget yourself each week. Pay day was a massive trigger for me and i didnt realise. Attend the general chatroom at 8pm, the group is very supportive and give really good advice, i wish i joined along time ago as i feel so much happier without gambling in my life right now.

Good luck on your gamble free journey 

Saving cause I'm going to come back and comment x

Hey Abbie, I was you, 25 years ago. A single mom, trying to make things work with bills, rent, kid and work and life. It was really tough going! I remember the first thing that went was my gas bill. I'd gambled so much I couldn't afford it.....although I look back now and see I didn't prioritise it. 

By the time I'd realised, I had every bill, credit cards, loans, car, etc. It was overwhelming. Back then there wasn't much support - today there is. Please do be ashamed, please go and speak with your GP and ask for a referral - it will have you 25 years of heartache. It will dave you your me tal and physical health. Please reach out in any way you can. I promise you, once you've  hit rock bottom (for me it was my mum dying and seeing how I'd taken advantage of her) that you can change your life for the better. Please don't wait 24 years like i did. Take all the help you can get and take it now! 

Sending love and well wishes. 

Clover - 420 day gamble free.

I'm also female and I think there's such shame associated with it, but it seems a growing problem for many of us I think

Use blocking software and or ban yourself from any of the regular sites you need

I actually think for gamblers the worst thing to happen is a decent win. I think if when I first started I'd just lost I wouldn't have bothered again but the wins gave me a thrill and I couldn't get that same feeling through anything else

Hi Abbie, I can’t offer much advice as I’m starting my journey to recovery again.  I seem to gamble every night and when I’ve lost I come on here for answers and help. Why don’t I do that first before doing the same thing over and over it’s just madness. 

I have been gambling for about 5 years and lost thousands. Why can’t we just see enough is enough but I think we hope for that big win and enjoy the rush. Awful habit but hoping to stop now.