Fears about returning to university

Hi @mg5201998, 

Thank you for posting and sharing your concerns, big life changes and events can sometimes be a trigger to start gambling again. It is good that you recognise that this could be a trigger for you. 

I would urge you to contact the helpline on 0808 8020 133 or come through on the live chat, https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/.

We can discuss strategies that may be able to help you and give you some support prior to returning to university.

Well done for going 24 days gamble free, that is a fantastic start. 

Look forward to hearing from you, 

John

Forum Admin

@mg5201998 what do you think about is going to be different when you return to university and what is working now for you? 

Chris.

Two things, firstly about not being around my family and instead only having phone calls and secondly the huge number of betting shops where I’m studying in Brighton. Where I stay outside of term time there’s no where near as many so the temptation isn’t as great. 

Use MOSES to self exclude from all the bookies near your Uni. 

As mentioned, use MOSES to help that threat become less.

You could also attend GA, there's a fair few around that area and I think they'll be open when you return to university.

Finally, your university should have a pastoral team and they may be able to guide you towards counselling if you think that might help, although for my money GA is a better alternative.

Hope it works out for you.

Chris.

Hi mg.

Its an addiction which thrives on anxiety and new surroundings. It will thrive on your nervousness and even nervous excitement to be back in the university environment with all those people around you.

You need monitoring from people you trust and your money protected. Your willpower alone is not enough certainly in the early stages or recovery.

This addiction is a drug addiction. It will come back at you anyway it can...bad news ,wet Tuesdays, stress of exams, student loans, uni nights in the bars and more are all its feeding grounds.

Its not an income scheme or a soothing blanket. gambling will destroy you so you need strong measures and stronger than you may think.

When you have the strongest of foundations, uni wont bother you but you have to be mature enough to realise gambling kills people and there is no shame in letting your trusted family control most of your money.

Gambling is not for you and you need to tell people that. If you stop now you have the rest of your life to recover.

You can NEVER be complacent about it again!

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Before you go back to Uni you should self-exclude from every Brighton bookies. Go into google and list them all then self-exclude as they ask you to name the actual shops you want to self-exclude from! You cant just say all of them in Brighton!! Do it before you go back - do it now - and feel the relief mate!  Been there done it.