2015 Challenge

Checking in day 30 GF

Hi Krisan,

Just had a read of your post and definitely reminds me of the situations i've found myself in other the past few years at uni. The financial side of things has obviously been a big negative but for me it has been the social aspect of my time of uni that has depressed me the most. Shutting myself off from a lot of people I hade made friends with so far at uni to either spend the evenings in my room gambling or simply because I was too down and depressed to go out and socialise has often left my feeling isolated and alone.

One of the factors I have found that has had a big impact on my gambling is as well as all the constant advertisements you see, whether on tv or on the high street or in your email inbox, is that prevalence of "tipsters" you find on social media like facebook and twitter. When you discover a new tipster and look back over his previous records where they boast of completing 20-1000 challenges or landed massive accumulators, you feel as though if you just follow their advice you cant really lose. The problems lies in the disclipline of betting. i'd find myself winning a few bets of these tips and then feeling over confident and placing the bets again myself and losing it all. Then it's back to the standard point of thinking if i just deposit anoher 50 or 100 quid today i can make back the losses Ive made and get back to following tipsters. This is what sucked me back agian after my initial period of abstinence from betting. I had unfollowed and deleted any pages relating to gambling/tipping that i previously used but after time these pages would reappear on my facebook feed either as suggested pages to like or because a friend had liked them etc. Then all it takes is one click to go on their page and suddenly i convinced myself that this new tipster would definitely win me some money.

Anyway, thanks again for your post Krishan, and this is me officially checking in for the first time on day 2 of my challenge.

James

[quote=kchurch]

Hi James, can definitely relate to those experiences and was very much in the same situation as you. It maybe helpful to read the post I have just posted or my thread. Always here to help others.

Kind Regards

Krishan

Hi Krishan,

Excellent stuff.

It's so good to read such an interesting and ultimately inspiring post.

Anyway, I'm checking in on Day 34. Still feeling determined not to gamble again. Keeping busy has really been the key to it for me.

Sports and hobbies have been my saviour AND this forum.

I'm taking things one day at a time and keeping the odd minor urge at bay. No room for complacency ever.

Take Care Now and Stay Strong Everyone.

Checking Inn day 69 everything going well ain't gonna let my guard down. Happy Friday people 🙂

Hello all

My name is Antony. I'd never considered myself to have a problem with gambling. I had always been content placing annual bets on the grand national or sticking the odd few quid in a fruit machine.

About a week ago, for reasons I don't really know, I put £20 into an online site and played blackjack. I ended up winning £280 and I guess that's where it all went downhill. Over the following few days I deposited more and more, not managing to win again until suddenly I found myself £1100 up. My god I should have just stopped there but yesterday I had a lot of free time and found myself back online. My deposits increased in size and although I won a little bit I quickly lost it again. This lead to an abysmal few hours where I deposited and lost £17k. It felt too easy to use credit cards to deposit the money, all the while thinking I can get past it. When I finally realised I couldn't even put more money in I felt sick to my core. Although I wouldnt consider myself a gambling addict I don't think I can offer an alternative and I can't be in denial about it.

I spoke to both my parents and then my wife. Although shocked and devastated they are unbelievably supportive. My parents are giving me all the money so I can pay my cards off and at least repay the money without interest and the risk of losing anything else. I can't possibly express my gratitude to them. I'm trying to look at it on a month by month basis as it does make it seem easier.

My biggest problem at the moment is just accepting what has happened and coming to terms with it. I will have to deal with the money but the guilt is so intense. I've read a lot of info since yesterday and it really does help so thank you to you all.

I will maintain my contact on this forum and will embark on the 2015 challenge albeit a little late.

I hope that my experience, if nothing else, may help someone else one day.

Day 1 gamble free!

Thanks

Anytime James,

I certainly know where you are coming from in regards to adverts and tipsters..I also to this day can feel quite drawn and tempted by them. I really try to limit my time spent on watching sport nowadays and also on social media just as this could be a distraction I could do without. I know that as easier said than done but just think about yourself in a couple of months time with all you will have acheived. You will certainly gain confidence within yourself again as the days add up, again easier said than done but really try to make some more time for your friends even if it involves spending no money at all like playing football in the local park..this will hopefully in the long run make you more sociable again. I can understand the pressures of university all too well so can really relate to your story. Its so important to make time for yourself also as well as managing your work load..hope you manage to find that nice balance and as always wish you well.

Kind Regards

Krishan

james229 wrote:

Hi Krisan,

Just had a read of your post and definitely reminds me of the situations i've found myself in other the past few years at uni. The financial side of things has obviously been a big negative but for me it has been the social aspect of my time of uni that has depressed me the most. Shutting myself off from a lot of people I hade made friends with so far at uni to either spend the evenings in my room gambling or simply because I was too down and depressed to go out and socialise has often left my feeling isolated and alone.

One of the factors I have found that has had a big impact on my gambling is as well as all the constant advertisements you see, whether on tv or on the high street or in your email inbox, is that prevalence of "tipsters" you find on social media like facebook and twitter. When you discover a new tipster and look back over his previous records where they boast of completing 20-1000 challenges or landed massive accumulators, you feel as though if you just follow their advice you cant really lose. The problems lies in the disclipline of betting. i'd find myself winning a few bets of these tips and then feeling over confident and placing the bets again myself and losing it all. Then it's back to the standard point of thinking if i just deposit anoher 50 or 100 quid today i can make back the losses Ive made and get back to following tipsters. This is what sucked me back agian after my initial period of abstinence from betting. I had unfollowed and deleted any pages relating to gambling/tipping that i previously used but after time these pages would reappear on my facebook feed either as suggested pages to like or because a friend had liked them etc. Then all it takes is one click to go on their page and suddenly i convinced myself that this new tipster would definitely win me some money.

Anyway, thanks again for your post Krishan, and this is me officially checking in for the first time on day 2 of my challenge.

James

[quote=kchurch]

Hi James, can definitely relate to those experiences and was very much in the same situation as you. It maybe helpful to read the post I have just posted or my thread. Always here to help others.

Kind Regards

Krishan

Checking in Day 51, great post by Krishnan. with willpower & determination anything is possible. Feel your pain Freshman, get a blocker on your PC, sometimes sheer willpower isn`t enough. Anyway crashed through the 50 day barrier, feeling good & positive, things are on the up. Have a good & gamble free weekend everyone.

Hi to everyone,

This is my 1st checkin, 6th gamble free day of 2015 and for me it was to be my first major hurdle....PAYDAY!!! I've stayed pretty quiet on here this week but everyday I've read more and more, some amazing people giving me great hope so I thank everyone who has shared for the support...I will in time share my story as I know it will aid my recovery..

My online accounts have been self-excluded, and for the first Friday in an age I can go to bed with money still in my bank account!!!!

Welcome Clarance123 and james229, you have been added to the front page and checked in, I look forward to seeing your progress and input as the year goes by. Freshman247 once you have made another post I will add you to the challenge. Its good to see new members signing up, theres so much to look forward to if we make that daily choice not to gamble!

Missing 20 check ins, come on troops get checked in safe and sound for the week!!!!

Checking in on day 21. No dramas for me this week. Very determined.

Checking in, 52 days GF... Gobsmacked by the young Man above losing £17k in one session online... Keep chins up and stresses to the minimum..

Hi Everyone, checking in for another GF week......milestone next weekend will see 2 months of 2015 GF .......am determined to complete the challenge this year. Keep strong everyone, small steps one at a time.

Phil...great update......you're right about the ads everywhere........online gambling should be banned for the lives it has destroyed...I know we all have a choice but it's like you're in a trance when playing online slots and it doesn't register how much you're playing in.

Mo

Day 4 checking in.

Thank you for kindness, support and wise words after my slip.

Best wishes all.

TFT

hope everyone is still going strong! I'm now on day 18 again, slowly does it.

I'm here on my second day, still helps to read what people write.

Hoping to return to work tomorrow, fingers crossed it will help to keep my mind occupied! Maybe they will give me a 17k bonus....

Probably not but one can dream!

Thanks again