Taking the first step and sticking to it

Hi Ronnie

Welcome to the forum

I can hear that things are getting a little bit too much for you. And the prospect of telling your family the truth is something you feel will be unbearable. But I feel that sometimes it can help if you are honest and you were able to sit down and talk openly and honestly with your family about your relapse.

You said it happens after work on your way home. To make things easier you could use the self exclusion line to call 0800 294 2060 and block yourself from the betting shops in that surrounding area. You can do this by phone and you will not have to go into the shops or speak to anyone over the counter to do this exclusion. This link will explain how the service works https://self-exclusion.co.uk/

Hope you find this information helpul

All the best

Cade

Forum admin

Ronny123 wrote:

ca

I commute to work and everyday I get drawn into visiting the bookmakers on my way home, I cannot bring myself to self exclude myself from the stores as it's embarrassing in person and so easy online.

I've told my family about my issues and they now look after my money but I've got into a cycle of asking for money and they are none the wiser about where it's headed (in a machine)

I told them around 18 months ago and I've no idea if they've worked it out or not but it's killing me doing it over and over again, constantly worrying about money and trying to dig myself out with a big winner. I'll stop for a few days and then a big game will be on and I'm back to square one. Don't think I'll ever be able to stop and it's genuinely ruining my life and any prospects.

Can't bare telling my family again as they'll hit the roof, where do I go

Hi there,

Hope you dont mind me saying these things:

• Tell your family - NOW. That is the only way to beat this. They love you and want to help you.
• Ban yourself from that Bookies. DO IT TODAY!. Your fooling youself if you think you can control it. Think of it this way if you ban yourself you will save that money daily.
• Leave your bank cards at home and only carry the cash you NEED. If you do not have the money you cannot gamble it.
• Can you go a different way home without passing the Bookies? If so do so!

Look I am no angel, I am on day 3 of not gambling. I reckon over the years I have lost over £30k and that is probably not much in comparison to some people.

They're going through a really tough time I don't want to add to their worries, I've so much coming up and I just don't know how I'll afford it, ruined my credit rating over the last 11 years, must of wasted some serious money

Your also going through a tough time and that’s when you need family to stick together. The damage done can not be undone it can only be stopped and then you can work on improving your credit rating and your financial position. I always found excuses and will probably do so again but this time I am sick of losing to fill some shareholders pockets. I would have gambled £50 tonight on football bets. Instead I have not and I hav saved £50 and I can no spend that money on my kids. Small steps towards a big reward. Even if I spend £5 on a kids magazine each for them I get to play with them while not in a stinker or a mood and I am still £40 better off. Little wins.

That's true, I want to complete a small period of time without telling them to kind of show im putting it behind me, easily said it's all over after constantly losing. Hard though, not sure people realise

The majority of us here do but the question is, how are you going to go a small period of time? I understand not wanting to tell you family but what about the other 3 things John suggested? We can’t fight this alone...If you’re not ready to tell your family yet, do what has been suggested, get to GA, make changed so that when you are, they can see you mean business. The compulsiГіn will not go away on its own...You have to fight it off - ODAAT