I am struggling with the gambling scenario, I am reading the forum and seeing all of the posts and thinking these ideas are very helpful. I have self excluded from my local bookmakers, and have tried to put all shops but when I go to another town which I do regularly I find myself entering these places and not being challenged, I know it should be me who doesn't go in but I have put these blocks in place to help as I am very weak willed. I was starting to save some money but then I go and blow it all again in a matter of hours, I am at the end of my teather and know I am the one who has to front up and make the change and with the help and support of others I feel I can do this. Thank you for letting me speak it is good to be able to get it off my chest, I hope the government can do something about FOBT's which is where my personal problem lies and I know that these aren't the only issues in the gambling world but the are my personal nemesis, and one that I am going to have to conker or they will be the end of me.
Thanks Again.
I'm like you mate I stay good for a while a save some cash but it burns a hole in my pocket and the weeks if good work can be destroyed in a matter of hours.online roulette is my downfall.just like fobts u can lose a lot of cash so quickly.I read another guys post similar to yourself.he leaves his bank cards at home and only takes enough cash to work for lunch etc.maybe that might be something you could try.stay on thevfirum mate and keep reading.I'm new here.there's so much help here from a lot of ppl.I'm at the start of my recovery.its a long road but with help here you can do it.I'm determined to get my life back.you can do it to!
Hiya Hog good to see you here and good to see you have joined the 2014 challenge. I would recommend starting a recovery diary on here and posting your thoughts on there. There are lots of us on here who can help you and support you. I found self excluding was a small help but like yourself I couldn't help myself from using bookmakers in other towns.
Personally I have found the most important thing you can do is give someone else control of your finances. Your partner, parents or a close friend. Tell them about your problem and make sure they understand that us gamblers cant be trusted with cards or access to our accounts. If you can do this and start a diary and use the 2014 challenge forum things will be much better for you.
The early days are the hardest, but its worth it. In a short time gamble free my life is so much better. Good luck mate!
' I am the one who has to front up and make the change and with the help and support of others I feel I can do this'.
Not much you can or need to add to that - time to stop thinking you will win and start doing something more useful with your time my friend.
People on here are great at encouraging but at the end of the day either you stop the pattern or will get in deeper and deeper.
You know what you need to do and hope you wake up and start making the right decisions. I for one am happy to support you but I need to see more effort.
All the best with whatever you decide.
Dave
Hi Hog
Blocks in bookies work in your local area because they know you or have seen you in the shop lots of times.
As for when you are out of area those blocks don't mean a cra P.
The book makers will say they will self exclude you from all the shops but this never happens.
You can even go in the bookies and ask them if your self excluded from their shop and chances are they will not have a file on you.
So the best thing to do is self exclude yourself from the shops and areas you do go into instead of relying on the shop because at the end of the day they just want your money and it does not matter to them how hard you have worked to earn it.
One week and counting
Why count? Why keep it on your head and think that you're distancing yourself from it? Forget about it. Keep occupied. Put in 100%. You've excluded from locals, now whenever you go somewhere new, either go in and self exclude, don't go in at all or just lose your money. Choice is yours mate. Simple fact of the matter is willpower is all it takes. Change of behaviour is the answer, as that's all gambling is - not itself an addiction, no more so than being addicted to running or whatever. Its up to you what you do with your time. What you going to do about it?
Hi hog - just a very quick post to congratulate you in getting through the first week. My advice for what it's worth is to count, to celebrate milestones, to begin to feel better, to find a new normality........and to take what you want from other posters but feel equally as happy to disregard anything you want to as well. I think as long as it's working for you and supporting recovery then why change it.
Proud of you fellow soldier.
Mr B
Hi all
Im new here I am 24 years old and I have a serious gambling problem. The first thing I do is go the bookies or load some money on to my online account I dont even think about anyone else or anything else. I want to stop bit I dont know how to and its tearing me apart. I work hard and then spend my wages in an hour. Im depressed about this I need help
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