Hi All,
So, you can read my diary to see where I was on my last entry. I've been strangely quiet since January 2018, and you guessed it - I been gambling.
I hit a all-time low in August 2018. I managed to take out 8 payday loans in the space of a few weeks. Some of them were to pay off other payday loans and I know they shouldn't be able to lend to people like me with a terrible credit rating, and most of my transactions going out to gambling companies........but I'm getting better at accepting my responsibilities.
I have hardly gambled at all recently, partly due to no funds, but I'm still pleased that I am only a member of one sports betting company with a £5 per day deposit limit and one poker company with a £20 per day limit. Compared to 6 or 12 months ago when I was a member of 20 online casinos (blackjack kills me), I'm doing well now - I'm just struggling to make that final step and sign up for gamstop. I have confdience I will never play another online casino again. I might play the odd game of poker or sports bet......but I hope to give that up soon, but I will pay off my debts, and I'm never coming back to this place again.
I told my family a year or two ago but they could never understand how difficult giving up gambling is, and how serious a problem it can be. I broke down to a friend last week and I'm seeing him tomorrow - it's a really big moment for me. I'm going to be honest about my gambling for the first time ever. He might be able to help out a little financially - but I just need a little to sort me for the next month (I never asked for money from my family previously, because I knew it would go back into gambling. This time it's different). The most important thing is the support he can help me with. I'm so nervous about speaking to my friend (he's an accountant). I'm embarassed to say how many payday loans I've taken out......but I'm so positive that I will gradually pay my debts off over the next 2 years.
I've been reading the stories here for inspiration every day and chatting occasionally. Thanks for listening & all comments and advice appreciated. Stay strong everyone - we'll beat this horrible addiction. Take care. Andy. x
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your heartfelt and honest account of events this year. It takes some courage to admit openly that you have gambled again and that you still do.
You seem very much in two minds as to whether you would like to stop or continue and you know how difficult stopping is. You are making some changes though, small steps, like starting to talk to your friend about this.
As you know, Andy, a gambling problem is unlikely to just go away and it isn't a natural step to go from being out of control with gambling to being in control. You say that you are not quite ready yet to put blockers in place. There is much support for you and you can discuss this with an adviser directly either on the Helpline on 0808 80 20 133 or on the Netline https://www.gamcare.org.uk/frontline-services/netline
Both services are open from 8 am to midnight every day.
All the best to you!
Gabriele
Hi andy... After 25 years of starting and stopping gambling... ive come to the conclusion that the ONLY solution is not to bet at all... "the odd game of poker or sports bet".. doesn't work... it only escalates. Sign up for Gamstop it will stop your online gambling in its tracks. You don't want to end up like me... skint and deeply depressed
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
