Trying to stop gambling after 4 months

Hi there

ive had similar issue, where I’ve been spending hours each day on online casinos and found it very compulsive. I need to draw a line in the sand and get over it. Need to be strong to get through this and resist that urge to log back in. Have you tried any measures so far?

Hi I’ve self excluded myself from the two online betting companies I was with for five years.

Congratulations MG on your first steps towards your recovery. A great start to exclude yourself with blocks, etc. so again well done. The biggest obstacles I had in the early days is dealing with the compulsion to gamble which you will have to deal with if you feel you have an addicted behavior problem with gambling.  Your brain will try to play tricks on you to encourage finding reasons to gamble once more, and if you succumb the brain gives you a nice chemical dopamine hit to reward you. It's important to recognize those moments will probably come and to find ways to resist the urges and find something more productive to do with your time. I can't tell you how many more miles I walk each week instead of staring at my computer screen!

The longer you can stay away from gambling the more obvious the benefits become, most obvious example being you will start to see your bank account balance stabilizing. Try to get your dopamine hits from looking at your bank account balance in a few months when you can start to acknowledge how better it looks than it would have done if you had continued gambling and losing! Good luck.

Posted by: Mg5201998

Over the weekend I decided to stop gambling as I realised that my gambling was compulsive. I had lost hundreds of pounds over the last few months. Looking for support to help me as I try to overcome my addiction over the next few months and years.

Hi @mg5201998

Welcome to the Forum and well done for asking for support. Acknowledging that your gambling has become compulsive and taking steps to address this are both really positive steps to take, and it is great to read that you have already self-excluded from the gambling websites. I would also recommend registering with GamStop which will exclude you from all UK online gambling websites.

There are other practical steps that you can take as well such as downloading blocking software onto your devices and speaking to your bank about putting a block on your account to prevent any future gambling transactions. We have lots of information on all of these practical steps in the 'Self-help'  section of our website and we can also offer lots of advice and support on our helpline or netline which operate 24/7.

Please let us know if there is anything we can support you with.

I wish you all the very best.

Warmest wishes

Zoe

Forum Admin