Hi joydivider- thankyou for the post. Yes it's a difficult thing for everyone involved all we can do is keep talking, keep checking and never take anything for granted. Thanks again have a lovely Christmas. Nearly your 365 days that's fantastic.
Thank you
I have been renewing my blocks at the moment and walked into one bookies today just to check the other shop (same bookies) had forwarded the exclusion details and picture. just to check that I didnt have to do a seperate form and picture with that branch
its a lovely feeling to walk in with pride and just check they have me on file. To be fair to these shops they do it in a friendly calm way and I would say to anyone dont be frightened or embarrassed by the process. Its there to help you and at least they have that scheme although I have negative feelings about gambling dens in general
Best thing I ever did and I stress to everyone that it must be done. I have never broken a block or tried to which is a very positive thought in my recovery.
I should have done it decades ago. Im very glad that I now have the strength to realise I want nothing to do with gambling which is so prevalent in our society
Best wishes to you and everyone on the forum
Yes I think that blocks and self-exclusion have a massive part to play in our recovery. To be honest I wish that something like this was available for me 25 years ago. Perhaps I would have saved myself 25 years of misery.
Determination and resolution with your recovery.
Yes it has a massive part to play
I stress to everyone on the forum thats its easy to do and the staff are as helpful as they can be.
I spent 10 months previously thinking it would be embarrassing. I was scared of giving details on a form but when I finally saw the light I realised that my picture and name was mainly what they were getting and its nothing compared to the misery that gambling was casusing me.
I will help people on threads if I sense they have any doubt about filling in those forms. Anyone that doesnt self exclude is in effect leaving the door wide open and strongly hinting that their minds are not ready to consider what abstention means
Its also a way of showing your family what you have done with copies of the form. I have never broken a block or attempted to. Obviously I discussed whether It would work for me or was likely to or try and find new places. It did work for me and I feel it will work for most problem gamblers
They had already taken my pride and self respect. I no longer go to places where I have ensured I am not welcome. I have no desire and no urges to go to such places now.
Ive just had my Christmas break and there will still be stressful days but my life is so much better gamble free
Best wishes to everyone on the forum
Hi Joydivider. I've been reading through your diary and it's inspiring to read of your initial self-doubt, transcending to positive thoughts and resolutions. Clearly you've been on a challenging and thought provoking journey.
I agree that self exclusion from several bookmakers is definately a massive deterent, and personally I believe that if I did not have this in place it would have been too easy for me to have a sly, secret, innocent bet.
Well done on your massive recovery and thanks for your posts on my diary.
Well done on making these steps
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