I’ve been on Gamcare since 2015 most nights on chat.
I was addicted to online poker, then when it became a problem i went to bookies, when that was a problem i went to casinos, then when that was a problem i went to pub poker and fruit machines……. What started out as one problem with my needed for excitement i looked to different gambling avenues after exclusions…..don’t let my mistakes be yours!!!!
I’m currently on day 1100 gamble free and am striving to hit 4 years next.
If you are just coming to Gamcare and these are the top four tips i’ve realised are paramount to stopping….. They may seem over the top but if you really wish to stop gambling, resurrect your finances and start a new lifestyle away from those stresses we are used to from gambling they are essential:
Number 1:
GET BLOCKS IN PLACE
Gamstop for online
Moses for local bookies
And Sense for uk casinos
It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.
Number 2:
When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping. Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively),
I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.
I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.
Number 3:
Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:
The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!
U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)
You can not take your cards out (more difficult)
You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.
There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)
Number 4:
With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish. It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019…..
MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….
I’ve said this before but one of my favourite sayings relating to recovery is “I don’t care what you think, I care what you do”.
Too many people have opinions without the lived experience and I’m glad that you are getting the results through your own efforts.
I’ve had to be open minded that there are different ways to stopping gambling, as for me GA is the only way. It’s certainly the only way that works for me and I live the GA principles daily. The biggest improvement that I found was working the 12 steps recovery program. This has brought about a change of character and a change in mindset. All the things you mentioned like blocks, not having money, they were great in the early days, but for me, long term recovery is about a progressive change of my own character and the decisions I make. I work very hard at this and now the most important thing I need to do each day is just one thing. To not place that first bet, whatever the circumstances, if I’m happy, sad, angry, cold, wet, tired, any of the excuses I gave for gambling.
I hope you might give GA a chance, maybe work through the step program, or something similar outside of GA. Before I did it I was abstaining, now I’m recovering.
Chris.
GA is fine if you have good social skills and get in on with people, i am quite reserved individual i can understand why its not suitable for everyone
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