Really want to stop

They call gambling addiction an impulse control disorder. The inability to stop oneself from gambling. It is set up with triggers that get us going and not being so mindful of the present as we seem to wonder how we ended up going back to the place and gamble again and again. You can do a lot with learning mindfulness.

If you are aware of your brains solution process the 20% is your reality and 80% is your history and you use both those parts to make sense of the present you will quickly realise how habitual we as a species actually are. Being Mindful quickly explained is being aware of the present moment. This can be done through meditation and simple breathing exercises. I would recommend you to take a look at it. It has helped me a lot when things have been bad. 

Hi,

rest assured you have come to the right place, I also went downhill with gambling once I got involved with horses(so many races day in day out across the world!) it snowballed from there.

best thing I can advise you to do is put all the blocks and bans in place, I found that once you know you can’t access gambling establishments, the desire to do so disappears.

there are many people here who have acquired debt whilst gambling, you have been brave enough to recognise a problem before it becomes really serious, well done to you.

the whole GamCare community is really helpful, and if you haven’t already done so I strongly advise you to talk with one of the GamCare advisors. If you feel more comfortable doing it via online chat then you can do that also, another great tool they provide is the group chat, makes you realise that you are not alone, and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on there to pick from.

hope this helps

Kram

Thanks for replies will take them on board,I really want to stop this harmful habit

Dear @bigmug,

Thank you for taking the brave step to share your post and how you're feeling, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling at your lowest and that you was going through it alone until you joined our Forum.

Please know you are no longer alone, we're all here for you and this is a wonderful, supportive and knowledgeable forum community. We also have a live chat room that opens twice a day from 1pm until 2pm and then again from 8pm until 9pm with an extended chat every Sunday until 21:30pm.

We would encourage you to open up to your support network although there is no pressure and we respect that you don't feel ready to do this yet. Many people in similar situations express feeling like a weight has been lifted when they open up and share the burden they have kept a secret.

Have you spoken to your GP regarding how low you feel? If not, it may be beneficial to make an urgent appointment so you can get their support and advice please. If you can't get one in the near future, you can also call the NHS 111 and there are also mental health support websites with helplines that you can call via the below links:-

https://www.thecalmzone.net/

https://www.thecalmzone.net/

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://headsupguys.org/mens-depression/suicide/

It may help to exclude yourself from the betting shops, you can discuss this further by calling the Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme on 0800 294 2060, I've also added their website details below.

https://self-exclusion.co.uk/

If you ever find yourself struggling to meet essential living costs, you can speak to the Citizens Advice to discuss any options available for immediate support financially. You can also access your local food banks of needed.

www.trusselltrust.org

Whilst overcoming problem gambling a a challenge, it's one that people do go on to achieve. Let us help and support you in your recovery and on your journey to living a gamble free life.

This does not define you, you are more than the problem gambling and you can do this. Some days may not go to plan, this is when it's most important to remember that it doesn't undo all the hard work that you've put in so far.

If you'd like to speak to us one on one or you'd like a free referral for counselling then please call our helpline on 0808 8020 133 or access out Netline (web chat) via our GamCare website.

Be kind to yourself and remember your worth. You're not alone in this.

Sending you all the best,

Kindest Regards

Joanne

Forum Admin

I really want to stop too.

I've just lost in the bookies on fruit machines.....ridiculous...I'm so much happier when I don't gamble....Ive wasted so much money...….. I have a great job and lovely partner but have gambled all my life

I've read the thoughts of people here and we are all facing the same challenges....

Thanks Joanne for the advise,im already on anti-deppresants and today I feel better than yesterday,as I feel with the support on this site I'm not alone and will try my upmost to beat this thing