What's in our head

I want to overcome it. I want to kick it. I miss having a normal none worried life. Not getting paid and then 24 hours counting the days down. Making the excuses why I'm skint. That money could have solved Evertrhing. No. I'm too greedy. My mind wants that Extra spin. This isn't me.

Hi Matt123456.

Welcome and you are in the right place. We have all been there so know how confusing and irrational it seems.

Deep breaths and you will start a recovery and learning process. That process will be learning about yourself as well as addiction.

Its complex and there is no shame in admitting a problem and reaching out for all the help available.

Please ring gamcare as many times as you like. The one to one voice is very theraputic and they will have some great advice for you.

I can assure you that you will overcome it. However that takes a born again moment of real strength and realising how powerful the addiction is

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hi Matt,

Understand where you are coming from - chasing losses and trying to solve the problem with a big win is just not going to happen. Sounds like you understand that but need to now start implementing those thoughts every time you get the urge to gamble. Think about you losing before you even think about placing a bet...this is an important mindset change as a compulsive gambler will think about the win.

I too feel sick of the money I have lost but I have now come to the realisation that that money is no longer mine and it's the same as me going out and spending it on drink or cigarettes ...it's gone.

You can kick this, and overcome it...think of saving the money you would spend as a win and you will over the years cover your losses and feel much better.

Over the past few months my weekends have been up and down as it's determined by whether I was up or down on my bets during the week ...no more, the casino should not be controlling how I feel.

Well done for recognising that the game is evil, think about this every time you get the urge..

I'm going to try and follow the advice I dish out but hoping on these forums we can help each other to see what a senseless waste of time gambling is so that we never want to do it again.

Thankyou all for commenting. It's just madness. If you walked up to me in the street and gave me £7000 I'd be straight to the bank and paying it in my account. 100%. Give me numbers on a screen and all I see is numbers on a screen, usual withdraw 6500 and leave 500 lose that cancel Withdrawl and spend the 500 lose that f**k I need that back not I'm up 6000 cya later, it's unbelievable what's going through my head.

Day one, I hope to be here in a week saying day 7

Afternoon I have been gambling for many years feeling the need to not stop until all my money gone happens every time told my wife last year and felt a whole lot better stopped for around 6 weeks felt proud and like I had passed a test. As usual secretly started again online playing roulette and the odd football bet but now every month two days after I get paid I am potless and feeling ashamed and out right stupid I do manage to pay all my bills and housekeeping before this but it is a vicious circle which I need to get off as ruining my life and getting me so down and worthless want a normal life enjoying nice things I keep blocking myself from sites self exclusion but something drags me back in and too be honest I don't even think I enjoy it.

Day 4 no money and all down to one stupid hour over the weekend counting the days until pay day when I have told myself no more self excluded again from the ones I let slip through the net and giving control of my money to more responsible people long journey ahead but am determined to get this horrible feeling out of me so I can look forward and look forward to getting paid instead of anxious of throwing it away.

Hi ginger magic. Thanks for replying and updating with your own experience. I'm 23 days off payday and already receiving letters about missed bills etc etc. Just one thing after another. I'm getting a good wage this month and I'm determined to put around 70% of it towards my debts. The rest will be used to get me through the month. All blocks hopefully in place. Have you tried using k9 or something like that? It's an app that doesn't allow access to gambling sites. Hopefully will work for us. Keep me updated pal. Hopeful we can get through this together.