Time to take control back

Aye been off gambling a while but been there in there myselfmate and would advise to get all the help thatisa available to us compulsive gamblers hopefully you can get on straight and narrow and wish you best phone up the Gamcare helpline and get on the chat rooms and talk about it 

@qjadze2rxg

thanks for the reply I will deffo be taking any help I can get. 

If you can't talk to anyone about it , it probably means your still hiding something 

@yk38lhjwzo hi mate, well done for starting your GF journey.

I tried to beat this addiction many times on my own.  I just wasn't able to.  It led to lies and not even being honest with myself.

I would rather have died than let people know.  Then I hit rock bottom and had to tell my other half, it was only then that I truly started the path to be GF.

I am sure some have beaten this on there own but there are far better success rates for those who reach out for support.

Don't underestimate those around you.

If you don't feel ready to tell anyone close like a family member or friend then call gamcare or see what support your local GP services can offer?  Starting a recovery diary on the gamcare forum can be a great source of anonymous help as well.

@287hzyl0pq I am embarrassed and ashamed. I don’t feel able to tell anyone.

@yk38lhjwzo Hi. 

Please don’t feel embarrassed and ashamed. You’re fighting an illness. 

Opening up and talking will be a massive weight off your shoulders. The gambling demons want you to keep secrets and carrying on lying, you’ve got to try and beat it. Admitting you have a problem is a huge achievement and you should be so proud. 

I took out tens of thousands of pounds of debt in my husband’s name without him knowing and I had to tell him, because one way or another, he would have found out. I’ve old so many people now and all I’ve got is huge support. It’s what you need. 

Wishing you all the best

Claire x

@yk38lhjwzo Hi. 

Please don’t feel embarrassed and ashamed. You’re fighting an illness. 

Opening up and talking will be a massive weight off your shoulders. The gambling demons want you to keep secrets and carrying on lying, you’ve got to try and beat it. Admitting you have a problem is a huge achievement and you should be so proud. 

I took out tens of thousands of pounds in my husband’s name without him knowing and I had to tell him, because one way or another, he would have found out. I’ve old so many people now and all I’ve got is huge support. It’s what you need. 

Wishing you all the best

Claire x

@cpparch thanks Claire I seem to go through a period of not gambling and starting to get myself back on track, then I find a site I can gamble on and starts again. atm I’m trying to get myself back on track again. I’m the most determined Ive been , I have been on GameStop for years but that means I’ve been using rubbish sites( although these are all rubbish ). So not I have done that one that blocks gambling sites totally and blocked gambling on my cards. It’s been a few days. My partner wouldn’t understand. There is no way I could tell her. Also my family have to much going on for me to put more on them. I feel I can do this tho. It’s gonna be a tough road getting on track financially. I need to enjoy the bits of life that I enjoy .

@yk38lhjwzo I also tried to do it alone and I relapsed after relapsed. You just cannot do it on willpower alone. 

Take a look at Gordon Moody, they offer retreats and counselling and it was the best thing I could have done. It’s so helpful and really makes you learn so much about yourself and gambling. 

Claire x

Hello mate. You've made the right choice in coming here for advice. I am doing this alone in a way. I came clean to my wife and family. My wife left, my family are still speaking to me and supporting me emotionally (i get the odd phone call asking how I'm doing!). I live alone and manage my own finances. It can be done, but you need to take all the help you can. Go to meetings, engage in here, put every block you can in place, and plan your money. Try to get all your bills taken out as soon as you get paid and have the remaining money planned for something for you. A treat, a saving target. Anything to keep it away from the bookies.

Read all the advice on here, read the diaries, the success stories, and the lapses. It will show you where you can improve and the pitfalls to watch out for. Its rare to beat this alone but I'm doing it well so far (101 days gf). You really do need the self motivation and commitment to take this challenge on though.

Wish you all the success in beating this.

Stay strong 👍 

@p6z38njbqm 

thank you so much for your reply , I find it hard in the moment to not gamble. Once I cross the line I might as well take any money and chuck it in the bin 🙄. 
I want so much not to do it anymore, I  hope I’m strong enough .