Hi all
First Post here and looking to finally set off on the road to recovery properly. I had a bad'ish' gambling issue a few years back and managed to get myself into a bit of a hole. Stupidly around a month ago I contacted gamstop to loft my exclusion as it had passed and so the downfall started. At first I was invincible, I'd forgotten of all the bad times I questioned why I ever gave it up. Fast forward a few weeks and I'm probs now around £XX down, to the extended I had to take out a bank loan last week without informing my wife. Obviously first thing I intend to do is re-register with gamstop for a longer period as I clearly can't control my gambling. Annoying as I enjoy it and remember the times that putting a X on was a buzz, now £X has to be minimum stake to. Do anything. I've amazed debts over the years not all to do with gambling, new house, wedding, honeymoon but this tops it as was getting financially better. Anyway, I just needed to vent. I know I can do it I just need to be brave and take the hit and stop once and for all!!!
Yes, it is amazing how fast we forget about the bad times and forge the good times into some kind of magic mountain ride but that is what the brain does. And again the math formula for addicts is that we need more of the same to get on with the high so that landing strip you need to get a buzz just gets longer and longer before anything new happens. And then the dam thing does not have an expiry date so you can come back a few years later and you will still need the same level of dopamine release to get high wich, in turn, means that you have to gamble for the same level that you did last time you had a buzz because that is what your brain last related to. See where this is going? No frikin place at all. We are royally screwed the longer we do this the longer we don't change the longer we carry the pain. The only true thing that works is to stop and do something else. All the best to you.
C
Thabks for the reply mate. Yeah it's been a rocky couple of weeks escpially. I've taken the steps this morning, literally waited for 8am so I could connect to gamstop and exlude myself but this time for 5 years. Feel better for doing it but doesn't make the anger and resent go away for the money I've thrown away recently. Although in hindsight it may have gotten worse if it hadn't hit rock bottom last night. I've never woke up with dread from gambling except this last fortnight. Anyway its going to be a long road to full recovery and reducing debt but I know I definitely cannot gamble now so we're on the right course
Hi @brello777 - well done in getting the exclusion back on and hope that it helps. I always gambled online and going into a bookies doesnt interest me so I know that the Gamblock will work for me. While you are, to coin the CoronaVirus phrase, in gambing self-isolation, put in some thought to why you thought you should gamble again then the last block ended - we need to know that winning in the long run isnt possible.
Exactly mate, you'll never win long term. Like I said and I'm sure we've all felt it I had that sense of invincibility, every bet I touched won. I'd go to the slots with my winning then win more. Thought it was easy. A week later and without realising I've stuck all my winnings back in then start chasing.
Anyway today is the first full day. Woke up this morning with that same sickly feeling in my stomach but feel slightly more upbeat about it. Will feel better on Friday when I get paid and can start putting money into savings again etc. I came open with my wife yesterday about it and she was just happy that I told her and atkesst I realised to stop then. I'll. Keep this thread updated with progress to hope to inspire others to stay on track.
Cheers
Xoxox
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