Stopping

Hi, I know myself how tough it is to stop particularly when it feels like you will never be able to end your problem. Are you unable to take the final steps needed to stop? That was always the hardest bit for me. I could get 95% of the way but couldn't take that final step but once I did it, I realised I could live without gambling.

Morning DeLorean, thanks for your reply, I have tried recently several times to stop (about 11 days is my best), my real problem is i cannot let 6 years losses fully go. After the pain of another major loss I always creep back. For example i built up £2500.00 from the fotb's over the last fourteen days or so, (maybe 15 visits - with the knowledge that one visit i will not win) so my mind set said the time you are £300.00 down - leave, but did I? for the third time in two months lost all £2500.00 and then another £1000.00 at the casino. Every time the same thing happens - cannot accept a loss - I am a much happier person when i am playing roulette - i know that is wrong. To-day after another major loss - utter despair and depression, where am I going. I am going to lose everthing.

It takes me from rather poor earnings a full year to save what i lost in 5 hours last nite, I have done that over and over again in the past six years, I know this cannot carry on. Support, advice, be mad at me, anything to assist me stop, and ACCEPT the losses. I know the answers but I can't seem to apply them.

The reason I eventually stopped was because I was on the verge of total collapse, mentally and financially. I had a "must win" bet on a horse that was going to win when it swerved near the line and threw the jockey off. That was it for me, I just couldn't take anymore. I've managed to save some money up since and feel better for it although I still shudder at the thought of the losses.

Accepting the losses is usually the key as chasing them is what drives most people on. Gambling seeming like "easy" money is another problem. What I did was set out a plan outlining how much I would save and build up over 2 years. OK I feels like a long time now but it gives you something to aim for and I do feel a sense of achievement when I managed to stick to it.

You've been on the gambling merry-go-round for 6 years and getting off it was never going to be easy but it's the only way.

Thanks again De-Lorean, can i ask you (and if you don't want to answer I will fully understand) how low did your finances get - did you use all your savings before stopping - were you in debt because of gambling, also how much can you save over a year? I just want to compare my position with another sufferer, again if you dont want to give the figures i fully understand - thanks for your support.

While you continue to see this as a financial issue you will never be able to stop long term. Addiction is a symptom of you & how you view yourself

Lost my life wrote:

Thanks again De-Lorean, can i ask you (and if you don't want to answer I will fully understand) how low did your finances get - did you use all your savings before stopping - were you in debt because of gambling, also how much can you save over a year? I just want to compare my position with another sufferer, again if you dont want to give the figures i fully understand - thanks for your support.

I don't mind talking about it. At point I had £28,000 on credit cards but from 2006 to last year I was slowly paying it off. It is now down to about £1,000. The problem was that I was still gambling with any money I had left over. Sometimes I was able to build up a nice betting bank and then I'd lose it all, then win it back, lose it again, it just went on endlessly. The money I can save is only a fraction of the money I have wasted but it is the only way.

The almost laughably ironic thing about it all is that I started gambling because it seemed like easy money. I would have saved a fortune by never gambling in the first place.

Hi guys,

Be very carefull when comparing amounts, as each person is different some may have a higher wage bracket, some maybe on the dole. But it could create a scenario in ur minds of "Oh im not that bad".

On a personal note the moneyin the end was the least of my problems, i had ruin so many lifes around me, had family up all night in worry, lost my daughter,freinds,loved ones.

They re-print money everyday and without gambling i can soon sort out any finacial mess......One thing they dont do....Is re-print my life....i carnt change the past, but i can change today to make a better tomorrow, for me it takes...

EFFORT

HARDWORK

DILLIGANCE

COMMITMENT

AND ALWAYS TO BE AWARE.

I dont gamble but will always be a Compulsive Gambler.

Take care guys

Jay