I have battled with gambling for so many years, hid it, stopped bank cards, just had basic bank cards, excluded myself, set up aliases, put limits, removed them then back to the same old place....Dreaming!! wanting a better life for my kids financialy then realising they dont have because of me. Wanting the rush of a big win so staking big then realising it knows my game. wanting a fresh start when i discover my husband has been playing away so gambling again to try subsidise then realising the kids have went thro enough and enough really truly is enough! The same old place really is Dream land because it wont ever happen, not to me not ever, i would b pretty well off if i didnt gamble but its never enough i want the kids to have the best, but why so they think when theyre older they dont have to work for things, so they have no get up and go to save for things as theyve always had. I love my kids to the moon and back and thats why from today forwards i have self excluded every site and installed blocking software and i am going to stay Focused! and live a life, a positive happy, content 1. Not the 1 where id cry mself to sleep because id used near all my wage that id worked all month for, not anymore!! x I hope u guys can support me because i know this is going to b a very difficult journey x
Hi missybee,
Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. I can hear your honesty and how you genuinely want to stop this time.
It is good that you are able to recall the many times that you have felt the need to stop, and pull those times up against what you are doing this time, that speaks volumes, and it was enough to let even the reader know that something is different this time. Welldone for the steps you have taken so far, and you are also at the right place to get this going, because you are amoung people who will help you to stop if you are willing to work on your recovery.
You mentioned wanting your children to 'have the best', and realizing that you will be 'pretty well off' without gambling. This sounds like a good moltivational factor. Maybe you can keep this in mind as you work on your recovery. Self exclusion, Blocking softwares, and posting on this forum, and opening your own recovery diary here, to help you have a better look at your recovery, and for others to post on your diary to encourage you are all big steps towards recovery.
You can also speak to one of our advisors on our Free Helpline and our Netline, the telephone number and link are all on this website. Our advisors can sign post you to other areas that you can get help, example if you are struggling with debt, we can sign post you to debt advisors who can help you. We can also give you free counselling if you want counselling. We give counselling in many areas in the country. You can look at the underlying reasons why you gamble in counselling.
You have taken a bold step today, it is not an easy step, but it can be done. A lot of people on this forum have done it. One step at a time, and it will only get easier with time.
My Best Regards
Florence (Forum Admin)
Hi missybee and Welcome,
Sorry to here you've had such a difficult time of it.
Gambling is obviously a form of escapism and many of us use it to get us through. We can win a few bob but by it's very nature it beats us into submission in the end.
You can beat this addiction. You'll need to put the strongst measures in place in order to do so. Self exclusion and blocking are excellent.
You may even need to entrust your money to a family member in order to prevent any future lapse.
Counselling via Gamcare may be of help to you as well.
I do the 2015 Challenge on here and have got to 196 days "clean". If I can do it so can you.
You recognise that your journey will be a difficult one and you will have major urges.
It's very much one day at a time.
What you have to think of is the huge benefits being gambling free will bring you. Peace of mind is the biggest as far as I'm concerned. No more anxiety about where your next penny is coming from. No more borrowing to get through to pay day.
I look back (and I've gambled for 40 years) and I think what a waste. I'm making up for lost time now though.
Believe me if you can kick this habit - It will be worth it.
Best Wishes.
Keep strong, keep that thought you cannot win because you cannot stop. Wish you all best.
You can do it.
X
Thank u.... support is definitely a big factor and am sure this is going to help me along this bumpy way and well done lots of positivity on the forum to help push forward x thank u.....day 2
Hi missybee, welcome to recovery 🙂
Congratulations on taking these vital steps to reclaim your life:-) I would seriously recommend you give the counselling a serious consideration, your husband cheating on you is going to hurt & you need to find different ways of managing it than what you are doing @ the moment!
This is a bumpy road but it's one that you can control - ODAAT
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