Time to kick the habit

Hi  Kingston22,

Welcome to the Forum and well done for posting. Congratulations on making the decision to stop gambling. 

Sorry to hear that you have been struggling with things, in particular the past five years.

It's good that you are able to work and have no outstanding debts but I can give you a couple of contacts who can offer advice and support on this if needed.

National Debtline – 0808 808 4000, www.nationaldebtline.org

StepChange – 0800 138 1111, www.stepchange.org

Also well done on the self exclusion that you have taken out. Please feel free to contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.

All the best 

Kirk 

Forum Admin 

Hey Kingston22

i am on same journey.  I have gambled for 10 years losing 40k in total.  For 8.5 years a steady drip drip of gambling, mainly football online.  This last 18 months has escalated like crazy mainly due to getting a liking for slots.  Can’t believe that I only tried an online slot for the first time in June 19.  Its November 20 now and looking back on a wasted 20k!  Definitely time to kick the habit.  Like you I have put exclusions and bocks in place now.  I want to get out of the clutches of this addiction.

Jeany your journey sounds so similar to mine. Kingston you will 100% get there i promise you. It won't be easy and you need to not be too hard on yourself if you relapse x

Hi thanks for taking the time to reply.

How many days are you gf? 

Maybe try to think of it like by stopping now you are saving future years of losses by cutting it out altogether.  At this time be thankful for a job and circumstance whereby it will only take three years, I've seen much worse on here.  I've also seen older people on here lose their pension pot and have to continue working long into retirement so plan for your savings and retire on time and enjoy old age ..... All the best mate hope this helps Adam c u on chat

Hi Kingston you have taken first important steps admitting that you have a problem with gambling and blocking access to gambling. I know it's not easy especially as you have debt to repay, I know what that feels like but I'm 6months gamble free and 6months closer to repaying my stupidness and it feels good. Set your mind to repaying debt and also treat yourself with something other than gambling. Hope you find your way into recovery

Hi Kingston22, well done on taking the decision to stop gambling and for being pro-active at putting stops in place. I'm 2 1/2 years GF now and will have cleared my debts in just under 6 months so my repayment plan is something similar to what you have, I feel like a different person now but I do keep visiting this site to keep my feet on the ground and to keep it real. It seems like a long road ahead but keep working at it and it will have really positive effects on your wellbeing. All the best to you !