[Sticky] Want to DO Something? --> READ THIS!

Thank you for this link, Ineffable. Gamstop is an exciting new initiative that will genuinely help our recovery as we seek to remain gambling free.

Let's not forget, of course, other blockers, like excluding from land-based casinos and bingo clubs, bookies and arcades. The gambling devil is a cunning one and we need to plug ALL of the gaps 😉

Links to exclude from these places can be found in the first post in this thread.

Hi thanks for the Gamstop link less than an hour since my last spin. Pure escapism for me getting a slight buzz to pick me up from “the real world” I find it’s on a night when hubbys a sleep and I’m on my own bored with only my thoughts to keep me company. Determined to get a grip before it takes control this is the first month I’ve ever gotten myself in to debt and I feel so scared and down

Thanks V

Hi Plumdoll,

Once you join Gamstop that should be a huge weight off your mind. You are stopping at the right time; quite rightly, gettng into debt is a 'red light' to you, a real 'line in the sand'. I realise it's escapism, this, but it's bad for us - we know this. So you're doing the right thing here 🙂

Hi all I’m new on here and at the moment feeling quite low .... hugely dissaponted with myself .... anxious because I see my wife massively upset and loosing my kids not to mention the fear of divorce and all the heartache and misery that will cause - I know how to stop and have taken a number of steps to do so - so I guess it’s just ensuring this habit is ended for good - any advice on how to handle all of this would be appreciated

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to the Forums. Sadly, we are susceptible to an unforgiving illness; one we have to take responsibility for and control of. There are practical, and other, steps you can take to reduce the situation and pull yourself back from the brink.

You have made a good start, posting here on Gamcare. But, as you well realise, this is just the start. But a good start.

What has been your poison? In other words, your gambling weakness. Please reply and we can take things from there; I will reply to you.

Welcome to this thread. The first post in this thread contains a wealth of, what I hope is, useful information.

Thank you, Gamcare, for making this thread a ‘sticky’ one and I hope it benefits everyone, at least in some small way, who reads it.

Mixer

I have just joined this site today after realising I have a gambling problem. It is the first post I read and I found it very informative. Thanks for writing it.

Hi fatmanglenn2 - thank you for your kind feedback. I'm glad my post's helped you. All the best to you, Mixer

Mixer

Excellent. Im new here and online slots has gotten me in the last 12 months only. I have relapsed today and feel terrible but this has made me think practically about my situation. Ill post my introduction in the other forum.

Hi ThePioneer,

I'm glad this post helped you and a warm welcome to the Forums!

You'll get a wealth of support and advice here; it's time to kick this insidious addiction into touch and you've made a great start!

All the best,

Mixer

I watched that YouTube vid today from this post again its quite hard hitting but good and true to how we feel

Hi, my name here is "i am done." I have been gamble free for 57 days now. I have gambled for the past 9 years now. It didn't start as an addiction. But somewhere down the line, I became a full blown addict. This is the longest time I have been without playing slots. I didn't even think I could get here. But here I am. Reading posts is helping me see that others have gone down the same path as myself. It is a relentless disease. It is shameful. It is merciless. I hope to keep going strong as I have never gotten this far.

Keep going i am done you still have to take each day as it comes where u are is bout there furthest i can reach

Yes, agreed, 'I am done', ours is a horrible, unpleasant, destructive affliction. Problem Gambling can be as bad as any addiction out there. We need to rein it in, and fast - straghtaway in fact. We probably need blockers to prevent us from gambling; our willpower cannot be trusted. Handing over financial control can make a massive difference too. Learning about our condition is key, counselling and Gamblers Anonymous can help. Our doctor can help; we might be ill or depressed. If we're in debt, Stepchange can help. And to talk things through, and help kick start a plan, Gamcare can help. There's plenty of help out there; we can help ourselves to make that big positive difference to our lives.

All the best

Mixer

Thank you for the words. It is reassuring to hear that I’m not the only one having these feelings and issues. I have only just come clean and owned up to my wife after racking up huge debt on football betting over the last 9 months. Now trying to get the support I need and forums like this give good advice.