Very low point need to turn it around.

Hi Chris89 - Here's my first bit of advice: STOP IT NOW!! You are in the downward spiral which we have all experienced - no amount of chasing losses will help; even if you were to win a million today, you would give it all back to the bookies/casinos and would end up feeling even worse than you are feeling at the moment.

First thing to do: self-exclude from all the sites you use and/or the bookies.

Next: try to analyse why you gamble - is it stress, anxiety, boredom....? Whatever the reason, try to get your life back on an even keel. If it is purely the desire to get a lot of money easily - well, I think you know the answer to that one. You have had some good wins, but where is the money now?

Keep coming back to this site as much as possible - you'll always find a sympathetic ear and some good advice.

Best wishes to you,

Joanna

I think this time it hurts the most because when I won the 4500 it solved a few problems and felt like I was one up on the bookies and that money was a foundation to save. I was convinced I was under control. However once I lost the first 50 pounds it was one massive fall until I hit the bottom!! Talking about it is helping the urges!! Today will be my second day of none gambling need to stay positive and move forward this really is an illness this gambling so scary!!

Well done on your second day of sanity, Chris.

There is a saying on here, which you may already have seen, "I cannot win because I cannot stop." That is what you must tell yourself every time you feel the urge to gamble. There may be some people who can win a large amount and then stop, but we don't fall into that bracket here - there is absolutely no way a compulsive gambler can beat the bookies.

Have a look at the '2014 Challenge' on the 'Overcoming problem gambling' page. Mr Brightside a few pages back has introduced a really good analogy i.e. making our 'life' music so loud that we can't hear the 'gambling' music in our heads. It might help.

Joanna

Your in that very dangerous territory of impulsive large stake bets to recoup your losses mate, and you and I know this has got to the point where you have to ask yourself wheres it gonna end? The only way your gonna regain a feeling of control is to stop now and take it one day at a time focusing on the fact you really want a life without gambling. If you go on betting larger and larger sums to chase the losses you will soon have Zero, then you ll have a maxed out overdraft, then you will be considering pay-day loans? The ppl on here have all been to that place and my wake up call was deciding not to call ******** when i'd maxed out the overdraft and ive managed to be 233 days clean since.

Hi Chris89 - This is day one for me and I have massive respect that you are now at day 2 - Day 2 is my next challenge - I suppose we can only take each hours as it comes - I've also had some big wins only 3 weeks ago I won 25,000 and gave it back inside 5 hours - This helped me realise one thing no matter how much I win I will always give it back - I though I was in this bubble on my own but this site is a fantastic tool and one I hope I can visit every day to help me achieve my goal of never placing another bet and have a healthier happier life!!! You can do the same if you choose to - Good Luck mate.

The pain of losing got to much today and gambled away another 300 I need to look past the pain of finally losing and move on it's so hard to swallow your pride to admit the ride is over and actually gambling has beaten me! Well infact beaten me along time ago!

It's only been a day for me but I feel the only way for me to win is to say no, because every day I don't bet now is money I haven't given the bookies! I self excluded today from my *********** account and it took me over 20mins to do it via there own chat service bt I still felt by following through it was a little victory! Stay strong we can do this together!

good choices there FLINT. chris you have to stop, it does get easier once youve decided to stop and each day you get stronger from resisting temptation. You CAN do it!

Today I got on top of my finances owed abit of money out ect and now I am debt free completely. However its still such a bitter pill to swallow that im looking to buy a house and have just 2k saved thats it!! Yes I know alot of people have debt from gambling but I just look at it thinking I should easily have saved 15/20k by now if it wasn't for me getting caught up in this gambling whirlwind!

Your only human son and youve made mistakes and paid the price like we all have. your gonna think about all the things you could of done with the money etc but it is more important that you set small realistic goals atm and get the help you need, i.e. im not gambling today,, im just gonna focus being productive at work today,, im gonna confide in someone i trust by next friday etc

Almost 2 weeks gamble free and I feel like a new man!! The difference in my mood and attitude at work is completely different since the gambling stopped! I am still playing the irish lottery I will admit but it goes on for a month at a time and I feel no urge whats so ever to gamble when my numbers don't come up. I am fully aware I need to be cautious and vigilant still with gambling. I know one go on a FOBT for me would see me spiral out of control again. I have learnt my lesson this time I truly have. I am just thankful every day I have no debt from this illness and I have a chance to rebuild even though it will take ages to replace my savings. 2 weeks ago I was a different person gambling addiction must be realised now as a very serious illness that is gripping the UK I know to many people/seeing life's crippled by it!! FOBT should be band aswell as online casinos with permanent limits put in place!