Realised my problem, any advice?

Hi

If you valued the money so much then why gamble / risk it in the first place ? if you didn't want to lose it ? Best thing you can do now is stop completely, in time you'll forget about the money, & that way you'll get something for your money - an honest, healthy, purer, gamble-free life with less stress, fewer things to worry about, less pain - and a lesson learned - the money will be replaced through your earnings in time.

Hi JDS,

This might sound like a strange thing to say but that could be the best £1000 you ever spent. If losing that money makes you realise you've a problem and you resolve to stop gambling and build a healthy, prosperous future for yourself it could be the best thing that's ever happened to you. I was in a similar situation at your age of liking a bet but in the process of developing a life ruining compulsion. I remember having a credit card balance of £3000 at your age and thinking it was the end of the world. If only I had stopped then it would have been a mere blip. Since then I've proceeded to lose over quarter of a million pounds, relationships, family etc. over 15 years of hell.

Do yourself a favour, write off the £1000, forget about gambling and move on. All the best. Des

I think you need to get angry. We need to hate these sites @ bookies, and then you won't give them your money. A "flutter" is abit of Fun. But if its not, then is it "Fun" watching your home, family, savings, life, partner, job, self respect, joy draining away as you are bombarded by adverts on tv, Junk mail through your door , emails , and flash ups on face book. This is a big money spining con that is passed off as Fun. There should be a crackdown on gambling advertising. There was on Wonga type loans. Watch TV and everything there via Bingo.

Thanks for the replies, £1000 might not be a lot for those who have lost thousands but it is a chunk out my savings and its frustrating. Ive not thought about a bet the last few days and its so much better then the feeling of being down and depressed.

Its made me realise how easy this is to get sucked into, im just hoping i can resist the urge now and have a few weeks break to think

Hi Jds90,

Thank you for posting here about your resolve to stop. You can make it easier on yourself by blocking gambling sites - Have a look on our website for various methods of doing this. There may be other things that can help too such as counselling, or changing the type of bank account you have. Why not give the helpline a call on 0808 8020 133 for more information? You can also chat to us on the Netline. Both are open from 8am to midnight every day.

Best wishes

Forum Admin

So i managed 4 days without a bet, and then i got bored. Deposited ВЈ50, turned it into ВЈ125 then went back down to ВЈ50 and withdrew it. Leaves me still with a loss of a £1000 (which im struggling to forget!)

Is there anyway in which I can permanantly ban myself from visiting online sites? As I feel it is way to easy for me to access and this is what I need to stop doing.

Hi,

If you really want to overcome the addiction then you can. But only you, no one can do it for you, no one can take responsibility for you. You have to make the commitment to do what it takes and follow it through. And until you do, nothing will change, how can you expect it to?

Fit blocking software to your laptop and desktop and downgrade your phone to a non Internet handset. Get someone to look up postal addresses for the offending websites and send snail mail letters asking for permanent self exclusion. Trade your visa that can deposit for a cash card that can't. Set up DDs to move your money out of harm's way on pay day, preferably to a trusted person who can look after your money for you, otherwise to a card based instant saver. And most importantly, get help from GA or counselling.

Action ie taking these measures will make a difference. Lip service, excuses, half measures won't. Your choice.

CW

Hi,

Take heed of those wise words above.

I am a recovering cg and recovery must take the form of 100% effort and committment.

So you got bored and decided to bet. You need to put plans in place to deal with it when it happens again. Urges are everywhere. I tend to bat them away now but they still are there.

Recovery is in your own hands.

Best wishes

Well i have blocked all the sites on line and i have just walked into a bookies for the first time in years to place a bet for today.

I feel better blocking the online sites, i feel that is the main thing for me, its just too easy to deposit money and when i dont see it as cash i just dont think.

I told my partner about my bad month and she was shocked but glad i told her, her knowing i feel a bit relieved.

Its a start.

So for last month ive lost on average £250 a week, totally unlike me. Today i lost my £10 bet and dont feel need to chase nothing, and it feels good, ive realised ill win just by sticking to my limits, hopefully that will b as easy to do as it is to say.

You might want to read Cynical Wife's post from before again