I have been gambling again. I stopped for a short while, went to a few meetings with a therapist but find my days and nights ultimately boring. Nothing keeps me active or my mind active, I have no hobbies or interests and all i want to do is gamble. I have joined so many new sites, I am excluded from alot too. But when one door closes another opens and lets me on to bet. Sports or Casino games. I keep telling myself i just want one more big win on a casino game and ill quit....but here i am, just waiting to give them my salary again and end up struggling to fend for myself for 3 weeks until the next pay day. I want out of this, I want to be happy in other parts of my life...Can i ever give up the thrill of gambling?
Hi,
When you realise it’s a massive strain on your life, having no money month after month, worrying about how you’ll get through the month and stop wanting to chase, you will realise the thrill wasn’t actually a nice thing. It’s an awful illness. You can’t ever get back any of your losses. Â
Even if you got that one big win, you won’t quit, because a compulsive gambler always wants more. You’ll think you can win even more and it will go again, quicker than you could imagine.Â
Have you put any blocks in place? Can you hand over financial control so you have no access to money? Triple lock every door!! Being completely transparent too is a big step, because the addiction wants you to keep secrets and to lie.Â
I gambled for 4-5 years all day and everyday. I’m currently 645 days GF now.Â
Claire x
I think you have to want to stop and want to stop for good, I gambled for many years stopped many times but never fully closed the door to a potential relapse. I think you also have to accept your losses, whilst you are still thinking about getting it back, that one big win i think the addiction can be stronger than you will power.
I also think it takes one pivotal moment and once you have that moment put every single block in place that you can, Gamstop - self exclude for 5 years. Gambling block on all bank accounts, a contactless limit, and for me I also cut up my card so I could not withdraw cash to go to a land based arcade/ casino.
And be honest, us gambling addicts have spent years lying being dishonest and deceitful, tell your truth out loud to someone you care about, let them help and support you and the lies can stop. Gambling takes your soul and makes you numb, you think that the gambling thrill is all you have because it stops you from feeling anything else, you are empty and do not realise it, your brain is wired to seek that thrill when in reality once you get rid of it, once it has gone for good, you start enjoying life again, I am only 50 days gamble free, but I do not have urges, I dont want to go back because I dont want to miss what is right in front of me now I can see it again.
Only you can do this
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