Hi everyone
I'm going to write down my story as its easier to write it then to tell people and i want people to read it (friends and family).
I'm a 26 year man who today it finally dawned on me what 10 years of gambling has done for my life.
I have gambled since i was 16 predominantly sports and poker, both online and in shops/casinos. Today it dawned on me that I would win/lose and not feel any happiness or elation as my horse/dog would cross the line in 1st, and no disappointment if it would come last. So i was thinking why would you do something if you don't enjoy it.
I have come to the conclusion that my betting pattern comes down to when i am bored. I work early mornings and tend to be done by 2/3 o'clock. I have no real hobbies that i could partake in, so i open the laptop and sit in the comfort of my home with the virtual numbers (money) on my screen. I don't even think about betting when i am at work, its just when i've got nothing else to do.
I've calculated that over the space of 10 years i've been in 10k-12k of debt and haven't paid any attention to paying these debts off. Which has crippled my credit rating and given me a CCJ on my record although i have paid that off with the last payment on Friday.
So all my friends are in there own houses with mortgages enjoying what life is and i'm still at home with nothing in the bank and no possible chance of getting out anytime soon.
I know that this has been a problem to me for a long time and now I am determined to finally beat this addiction as it is not healthy and it's taken over my life for to long.
I hope you all the best success on your journeys aswell and thanks for any advice you can give.
Thanks
Hi there,
First of all well done for admitting to your addiction and joining here to get help on your journey into a new life free from gambling.
You've done the first and most important step in admitting.
And you've already analysed what triggers your addiction.
If it is like you say you are bored and you have to much time but no hobbies this is exactly where you have to start to make changes.
You need to fill the dead time.
Good thing to do is for example if you feel boredom and think you need to gamble, leave the house and go for a walk.
Not just is it healthy and fills your brain with fresh oxygen but also you are away from your laptop/PC.
Strongly recommended is also to put some blocker in place, meaning in your case to install game blocking software on you computer other embers here can give you there good advise in which is the best.
And very important especially at the beginning if your journey is to cut your access to funds meaning you should let somebody you trust taking your credit card and supplying you just with the amount you really per day.
I know it sound like giving your life away but it is actually exactly the opposite you get your life back in return and a probably better one than it has been ever before.
I hope it will help you and sound not all to scary for you mate you can do it and the truth is just you can do it nobody can do it for you.
All the best mate stay strong
Wolfgang
Hello fella
Good new: you paid off your debt and you are only 26 !!! Great positives.
I had a friend who went bankrupt at 40 odd and just 5 years later he is close to being a millionaire ( if not already on business) as he has been building a successful website and marketing company.
Now everyone is offering him credit.
point is you have a massive chance to get your life on the astraight and narrow and you already made big steps to do it.
Life your head up, get out there and live life.
cheers !
Hi Wolfgang and Cleanslate,
Thanks for your replies and wise words means alot. I have gone through all the online accounts i've had and self excluded from them all. and have no interest in opening or placing any bets.
Wolfgang i know what you mean about going for a walk to cure the boredom but im a postman so spend alot of time walking, I know what you mean though and i aim to join a gym in the coming weeks to give me things to do in the afternoon.
I aim to beat this bug for once and for all and get back the life i should be enjoying.
I hope you both the best with your recoveries aswell and will be staying on the forum for those days when i'm sure ill feel the urge to have a bet.
Once again all the best.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
