Hello, I joined here on Sunday it's been around 5 days since I have last gambled I'm having terrible withdrawl symptoms if I can call it that when I think about gambling I'm coming out in a sweat my hearts racing i am struggling to sleep and irs just constantly there in my mind. I've excluded from everywhere and can't make accounts or go into any shops I will admit I tried 2 days ago to make a online account wich was rejected, and I'm thankful for my wages got paid into my bank yesterday and I've paid all my bills out of it wich is a big thing for me to do as usually within 2 hours it would be gone, However mentally at the minute I'm struggling because If I'm being honest id love to go and gamble now but i know it's wrong and I don't. Gamcare are refusing me counselling because I have had it already in the last 6 months, I can't go to ga meetings because I'm well known and regularly in papers so it wouldn't look good if it got out and could end my career, I struggle to speak online and over the phone i really need face to face someone to talk to but don't feel as though there is anyone further enough away that isn't connected to me I can't tell family and friends as I can't handle the shame just yet. Does anyone else suffer eith this if so are there any tips to get it out of my head? I'm feeling strong not gambling and feel proud I've gone 5 days as before it was every single chance I could get but I also feel a failure because i tried making the account online. I suffer terrible with mental health problems wich isn't helping
STick it out, it'll be worth it.
Hi RedskyDay
It may be worth speaking to your GP if you want to see someone face to face for advice. It’s not something I’ve done but I know it has helped other people on here.
Just take it one day at a time and keep the blocks in place.
Iain
Hi Redskyday, the early days are definitely the hardest and the withdrawal symptoms that you mention will last for a period of time, but eventually the feelings about gambling do start to reduce. I’m now 76 days GF and it’s only really over the past couple of weeks that i’ve started to feel completely comfortable without getting unexplained mood swings and behaving in a ratty manner at times. My best advice is to register with GAMSTOP as this will restrict online gambling, however you really need to want to give up to make this a success. I’ve tried many times before but always left a door open which eventually ended in disaster. It is a tough battle but there is a happy life out there if you really want it. Good luck.
Hi, Redskyday,
It sounds like you have taken the right step for you, and you are seeing the fruit of not gambling, by being able to pay your bill, and not gambling your wages. Finding this Forum is a very good place for support for recovery, as most people have been there, and would be able to share with you what is expected, and it sounds like what you described is some of the normal feelings of taking the step to stop, and many have been through it with support and have done days up to years of not gambling, so it shows that it can be done, so can you with your determination, and a lot of the reply you have already received show that you are not alone, and people here will support you.
I will like to add on to what has already been said, and inform you of the help that you can get from talking to an advisor on our Free Helpline/ Netline, if you have not done that already. The telephone number to the Helpline is on top of this page. 0808 8020 133, so is the link to chating with an advisor on our Netline. We could look at startergies that you could put in place to help you to not gamble , Gamstop has already been suggested to you, and it is very helpful. www.gamstop.co.uk, and others like blocking software could be looked at if you contact an advisor on here. We also give free counselling in many areas in the country. A lot of people have found counselling very helpful, we can give you free counselling if you want counselling.
You do not have to be alone in this, there is help.
Regards
Forum Admin
Thankyou I have already registered with gamstop and self excluded from local bookmakers ect.
Hi, it gets easier . Im 6 weeks gf now. I do remember going to a concert though and thinking that some of the background looked like a roulette table spinning .
If you are feeling really low perhaps see your doctor. Try getting a new hobby as well.
I've started watching box sets rather than sitting there with a tablet in my hand gambling.
Keep up the gamble free days and soon enough you won't even think about it .
Good luck
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