Ok so I've been back on the forum for nearly 4 weeks (into my 4th week in the 2016 challenge) and I've finally got my head straight enough to post here. Online gambling is my major problem, slots really but I've also used casinos and bookmakers in 2014 when I 1st posted here I'd lost 20k and after a few months thought I was cured. I was wrong!
At the start of last year after a failed relationship I decided to go back to my true love and opened a couple of online sites and actually made a lot of money to start with, over 15k. I was walking on air and so happy but of course it didn't last, the start of this year and everything had gone including another 20k that I had made selling shares in my company. I've struggled through this year and a month ago dragged together £1500 my last hope? Lost the lot and hit absolute rock bottom, I didn't want to carry on at all just couldn't see anyway out other than.....well I don't want to go down that route.
I remembered this site, came on and spoke to someone online, couldn't handle it though and disconnected but came back the next day and read through my old posts then joined the challenge.
So here I am now opened and self excluded from as many sites as possible, changed wifi settings to block gambling and the same on my phone neither was easy when you don't want to involve anyone else but I found a way. I ask myself today am I happy and to be honest no I'm not but I'm managing so far with every intention of sticking with it.
Sorry to go on just needed to get things off my chest, I wish everyone on here with similar problems the best of luck it's a terrible addiction to have.
Thanks for taking the time to read an idiots story Daz.
Thanks Deano, appreciate the kind words.
I think it will be a while before I stop thinking of myself as an idiot but it could be worse, I still have my house and job so at least I have some hope of sorting this mess out.
I owe a big thanks to Loxxe (sorry if that's spelt wrong) I got the wifi idea from one of her posts giving advice to someone else.
I've got my chin off the ground now so that's a start anyway.
Hey daz. ..and welcome...well done you for coming here and sharing your story...those bloody online slots are vile ....got me well and truley sucked in....but hey ho...they won't get me again because I've realised I can never risk taking even one spin...not been an easy 100 odd days....but boy do I feel better now...and so will you in time love. ..I'm glad the WiFi thing worked for you...so simple....anyway...keep posting on here...take care x
Thanks for the wifi idea Loxxie and sorry I spelt your name wrong, I thought I had. It took a bit of effort to turn the parental controls on in a way that I can't bypass but managed it without having to involve anyone else.
Online slots are an absolute killer for me, it's crazy I can see now you really have very little chance of winning but winning was never really the point I think. It was the excitement and escaping from reality that held the real appeal, I'm determined to beat it this time but I've said that before and failed so need as many blockers up as possible.
It surprised me before and has again this time how many people have similar problems and more importantly that they are willing to offer support.
Hey no worries...spell it how you like : )
You will be a winner everyday you don't spin the dam slots !
Gambling only ever takes...don't let it take anymore...
One day at a time and the days soon click up....good luck x
A whole month now and that of course included a pay day, bills all paid and a bit of spare cash maybe this is going to work.
Funny how things happen, no real urges until tonight and then I realised I've got money in the bank and I'm desperate to see the spinning reels again. So many barriers put up now though even my addicted, crazy mind couldn't think of a way to open an online account so I came here to post instead. It makes me wonder at what point in my life did things get so bad that I have to block myself from the Internet? Tomorrow should feel better though, I hope anyway getting through a bit of a sticky night.
Daz, how you getting on?
​
I'm doing Ok thanks Mark, keep getting that rush of blood when online casinos appear on TV but the best thing I've done so far to help was set up parental controls on my wifi. The urge to gamble soon goes again and it really cheers me up to keep getting through it. I don't have any money again but this time because I've treated myself to new gym gear which is a much better use of money than watching those flashing lights for hour after hour.
Hi Daz. Thanks for the support on my thread. You're doing really well, all things considered. I hope we can support each other in this terrible fight.
How do you change the wifi to block gambling?
Best wishes,
Imuz
47 days, I never thought something as simple as wifi parental controls could help me so much. Trying to change the way I live completely this time, eating a much healthier diet and spending more time in the gym. Only time will tell but this time it seems much more final, I've not left myself an opportunity to go backwards again.
We have to keep fighting and moving forward.
Daz
Hey ...look at you daz. ..your doing great...well done you...keep going...have a great weekend love x
Thanks Loxxie, sorry it took a while to answer your post. Weekend was good and this weeks been as good as things ever get when I'm working lol. Still get the odd rush usually when online casino adverts are on TV but it never gets further than that because of the blocks I have in place. Crazy to think a few weeks ago I was in such a state I didn't want to wake up in the morning. In the past I think I deliberately left myself opportunities to gamble, a kind of self destruction maybe. Things seem a lot clearer at the moment but I've been complacent before so not this time. Daz.
Hi Daz. Thanks for posting on my thread, really appreciate it.
I know what you mean about the adverts. I feel a mini rush when one comes on but, like you, I know I can't go on them as I've excluded from them all. I long for the day when I don't have that reaction. Don't know if that will ever be the case but hope so.
Best wishes.
Ok so I'm back and once again in a really bad place, I've not been on for months and the reason is shame due to once again returning to online gambling. The last time I was on I was trying to come to terms with depression well I've pretty much let it get on top of me completely and I know I should go back to my doctor but I'm just a complete mess. I found a way around the wifi fix that had helped me stop online gambling by using my iphone as a hotspot and I've no idea how to block this as I need my phone for work. Cash wise I'm not in a worse postion than the last time I was on as I've had some wins which makes it even more difficult to stop.
Mentally though I'm finished after a weekend of drunken online gambling most of which I can't remember which financially only resulted in a £200 loss has left me wishing I wasn't around anymore. Really bad thoughts have been going through my head about just how pointless my life has once again become. I'll try to start posting on here again but at the minute just can't see a way out of the cycle of depression, gambling and complete lack of hope for the future.
I'm not sure what response to expect but at the moment anything is worth trying.
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.
