Hi all, I am a long time sufferer with problem gambling. My last pathetic efforts have been with very low deposit limits, but still seem to be wasting every last penny where I can. Would just appreciate some support and encouragement. I have massive debts from previous heavy bouts of gambling, so it is now kinda under more control. But just still annoying. I have long-suffering family and friends and have a job and other interests. I just keep getting sucked back into it. I just thought I'd try a daily post on here to keep me away from the temptations.
#support
Maybe trying to control it isn't the best thing? I was gutted to read I can't control this beast but it's been the best bit of learning I have ever done because sacking it off completely has given me a life!
I'm not sure what measures you have in place but it looks like you know your stuff! Get blocks up to break your Time-Money-Location triangle & ensure your support network know there is help available to them too through Gamcare!
This is a great place to be when the urges strike...Welcome to the 'team' 🙂 Keep marching with us - ODAAT
Thank you. - you are right - my honest problem is that I enjoy it!? It doesn't financially c*****e me any more. My major debt is with StepChange and will take years to pay off. But now I just end up spending most of my available income on it and it just irritates me... So trying to break that cycle as you say
Cheers
Do you enjoy gambling or winning? If you didn't care about losing the money, you wouldn't have bothered coming here so I suspect that despite the 'enjoyment' you get gambling the 'annoyance' of being broke is 'doing your head in'! Seriously, you have been here before & know how progressive this disease is! Don't kid yourself that it's not financially crippling you if you have debts that will take years to pay off. Just because you're not taking out loans etc to feed it @ the moment doesn't mean it's not causing you damage & likely too that if you had more money, you would spend it anyway!
Get that cycle broken now, you can do it because if you don't, you may find yourself heading straight back to square one once the debt is clear!
Get breaking - ODAAT
Thanks ODAAT - what breaking mechanism do you use? Cos I totally hear you and totally want to do it..
I started trying to stop years ago with willpower & am self excluded from so many places, I've spent a fortune travelling further & further afield to get to them!
Eventually, after finding sites like this, I realised I could not control my gambling & had to draw a line under that part of my past! In order to break my Triangle, I handed over my finances to my OH...Talk about embarrassing 🙁 I kept a joint credit card to survive & we didn't have one that you could remove the cash facility from so I had him download an APP so he could check it @ least once a day! Then carried a very small amount of money only! It's not to say I didn't have days where I thought 'what the hell' but I used distraction techniques to help the urges pass & read read read!
I damaged myself for all my adult life & I'm no spring chicken...If I can do it anyone can! There are loads of inspirational diaries on here & Mr Brightside's exit post on the 2014 challenge is great! Everyone's recovery is bespoke & with the right determination, you will trailer one to suit you!
Be strong - ODAAT
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