I have been gambling for the last 15 years. The last 4 years, especially after the lockdown, made it even worse. I spent 6-8 hours a day betting online using different platforms. I funded my addiction with my salary, credit cards, and loans, and money from friends and family. All my gambling was online, leaving a digital trail.
In the last two years, my mental health deteriorated significantly. I couldn't function properly and just wanted to stop the pain. I was constantly checking my phone for the next bet, always hoping to win and chase my losses.
A few months ago, something triggered in me. I felt that something had changed, and I could finally do it, but I needed more motivation, energy, and dopamine.
I started reading about the gambling industry and realized that the problem isn't just me; it's also the industry's addictive products. I came across the term "altruistic punishment" in a book by Sapolsky.
Definition:
Altruistic punishment is when people take on a personal cost to punish others who break social rules or act unfairly, even if they don't benefit directly from the punishment.
This idea struck a chord with me. I felt a strong urge to fight back against the industry to protect vulnerable gamblers like myself and to demand compensation for the harm caused.
I wanted to share this here to say that bad habits can't be completely stopped; they can only be replaced.
Hello Morter,
Welcome to the GamCare Forum
Thank you for sharing your first post. You are not alone if during lockdown you noticed an escalation in your gambling. It sounds like you have experienced a shift recently that has enabled you to have a wider perspective. Well done for trying to put blocks in place to enable yourself to hopefully stop gambling and have a better quality of life. As you describe the impact of gambling may not just be financial but also taking more time than you would wish from your day. We have many resources such as self-paced learning and/or 1-2-1 support that can help you with addressing the habitual elements but you also correctly identify having new hobbies/activities can be beneficial to not ‘replace’ the habits necessarily but prevent leaving a ‘vacuum’.
The Forum is a great place to receive peer support but you are also welcome to call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 anytime and have a discussion with an Adviser about your next steps.
Best Wishes,
Louise
Forum Admin
Hi Morter after reading this I had to comment as what I believe bad habits can't be completely stopped but they can be replaced.
Since I stopped gambling several months back I don't think about gambling at all.After first 40 days roughly I can say I never thought about pressing the slot machine button or placing a bet.
Spend over 450 000 pounds in total in 24 years time gambling.Not another penny.
I did stop gambling only to replace it with a good habbit like Dave a.k.a mentioned many times try to replace bad habit for good habit.
I replaced mine with shopping I buy myself things for home every single month which make me happy.Spend hundreds.Sometimes thousands.But that would be otherwise spend on betting and have nothing.
Now these days I am buying new electronic having like steaks to eat every 3 or so days instead of instant noddles for £0.60 pence because I couldn't afford to buy nothing else after gambling binge.I mean I could but when I told myself shopping for food and spend £100 or play slots or place a bet.Cmon..food after I win.Lot of you know what I am talking about.
No food no shopping no money.
Literally begging every month my mother to lend me money for food and I still didn't buy food.
Even I am getting paid take home like 2500 a month.
I definitely can say replace gambling with something positive which doesn't cause you harm.At least not mental harm.
I am still financially not any better then when I was gambling but my house is packed with stuff.New stuff.Whatever I think of I need I buy.
If anyone can comment if that's any way to stay gamble free continuously by shopping for things I would be grateful.I don't know if it's healthy but I feel much much better then when I gambled and had nothing
I agree with Mr JonnynUK i am actually doing the same, i bought a few gambling console however i found myself interested in fashion and movies and also eating out and it has made the difference the debt is what was pushing me to gamble however it all paid off i have managed to remain gamble free for 344 days however i thought i was past it until i was tested tao days ago i surely had no desire to gamble at the time has i am barrered from all the local places in my area the silly thought was to test the self exclusion which is moses had i not been on this webiste constantly their was a chance of relapse i already know bookies have new staff on and at times they cannot monitor everyone coming into the shop so even though i have relapsed gambling with enjoying other stuff i simply cannot be complacent i simply know if i am in such environment or even look into gambling with their a high risk a relapse can occurr has i have experienced in the past, i believe its this website that given me the tools to work through these challenges
Thanks for sharing your story, I think we all really appreciate it.
Talking from my personal experience, I wanted to keep dopamine levels low, but still needed enough to push me through day-to-day tasks. I found that a more sustainable way is to find a hobby or goal to replace the addiction entirely. Being truly clean for some period helps you understand yourself better and start rebuilding good habits. Our risk and reward systems are so badly damaged, so it will definitely take time.
I wish you all the best in your journey.
@2ct3vnk7sj its true online the worst of the worst have also joined R/problem gambling on reddit which seems to more people struggling with illness, i spoke to a guy on their from london who blown £5 million online he still own a few properties and seems like a very smart guy since my last relapse i have invested my time into recovery as i use to brush the illness to the side and by learning about the illness it doesnt matter how smart u are the illness is capable of taking everything away, so i accepted i simply cannot place a bet not noe not in 5 years time, i also accepted i could be challenged at any point so i cannot simply let my gaurd down
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