GAMBLING BARRIERS and other jottings

Hi,

Nice long post here:

It is hoped the following words can help people (especially new ones) on the FORUM. They are borne of my own personal experiences and thoughts. If you disagree with anything or wish to comment critically I'm OK with that aspect. You may wish to comment with your own thoughts and ideas.

Contact gamcare for access to free counsellng and or attend your local GA meetings.

Should you be suffering from severe depression because of your situation then discuss this with your doctor.

Block online gambling sites by downloading K9 and have someone else set the P/word. They must keep it secret from you. If you cannot get someone to set it then make a nonsense one up and copy and paste it. Something like xx11pjjjn"!yn33$$ so it's impossible to remember if you view it.

You can also buy Gam-block or Betfilter to block sites if you wish.

If you cannot block a particular electronic device then sell, give it away or dump it and obtain an "old fashioned" type.

Self exclusion from casinos/High St bookmakers is advisable if you have been using them.

Put your finances in the hands of a trusted family member. This is so that you can only have a limited amount of money available to you to enable you to get through on a daily basis.

You should advise close members of your family about your problem and the fallout from it (debts)etc. Their emotional support could prove essential during your recovery. If you cannot tell your family you can go it alone. I have HAD TO DO THAT but I wouldn't recommend it for most people. I use the this site a lot and The 2015 Challenge is helping me tremendously (great work by Phil on that). Starting a Forum diary helps a lot of people.

If being a CG has really upset the applecart with your family they can contact GAM-ANON for advice. Their is a family and friends section on the FORUM.

If your financial state is disastrous then make sure that you keep a roof over your head. This is your priority. Make sure that payment arrangements are made for necessities (gas, electric, food, transport, childrens stuff etc). Unsecured creditors (cards etc are not a main priority). You may even have to offer them say £1 per month each and get the interest frozen. You do not have to tell them you have a gambling problem if you don't want, only that you are over committed. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT PEOPLE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY SHOULD CONSULT A NON FEE CHARGING DEBT MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR ADVICE ABOUT CREDITORS AND THE WAY FORWARD FINANCIALLY. I would suggest Stepchange/payplan/national debtline may offer advice.
I've found that keeping myself busy has been instrmental in keeping my mind from the devil's clutches. I find gym work helps me no end. i get myself so knackered that gambling is the last thing on my mind. Walking is great as well so is swimming. You can take up old or start new hobbies. There is a thread on the Forum devoted to keeping busy.

The CG must through up as many barriers in the way of gambling prevention nowadays. It is more vital than ever this is done. The betting companies are forever devising more fiendish advertising campaigns. Temptation is everywhere (TV/Emails/Texts so on and so forth).

We know it's not easy to stop being a CG but it can be achieved. I'm now nearly 70 days "clean" and mentally it feels very good. it's very much one day at a time and thoughts still go through my head about the wins I've had. I counter this in my mind because I'm safe in the knowledge that gambling thoroughly WRECKED my life for years and I mean WRECKED IT f*****g MONSTER SIZE (younger people heed my words).

For me the initial test of a CG's determination to quit is when they begin to have some spare cash floating about again (couple of gambling free months in, maybe). He or she gets itchy fingers. The initial shock of a big financial loss has blown over and the sickening feeling has subsided. It seems like a mighty fine idea to play the available cash up and they may well "win" initially. In all but extremely rare cases they "win" and the initial "bank" and sometimes much more besides is squandered in a greedy gambling o**y. Then the dark sickening clouds appear again. Thoughts like "How do I pay the rent, feed the kids, pay the leccy, gas bill, explain to the wife/husband and so it goes on. This reinforces the need for stringent anti-gambling measures to be in place to protect the person involved (and those around them) from serious mental/physical/financial damage.

Personally, I've found after nearly70 days free I'm thinking with much more clarity. I feel better due to my increased level of physical exercise. My moods are lighter and there is even a small amount of money in the bank now. That money is mine and not earmarked to increase the bookmaker's profits. Life's still not perfect but it was even less perfect whilst I was in the grips of the gambling demon.

If any of the above helps even one person quit gambling for good then I'll be a happy man.

Thanks for reading this if you made it to the end.