Roulette ruining my life!

Hi HLE,

Thanks for your post, and welcome to the forum. First, you're 100% correct in that the best way to win at gambling is by not playing. If you live by that motto things will definitely get better for you, and your life will be substantially less stressful. You've also taken a couple of good steps already, by reaching out here on the forum, and banning yourself on apps online. Any chance you might fill out self exclusion forms in the bookies, as well? Every betting shop has forms you can ask for at the counter, and once you fill those out you won't be allowed back into the shop, which helps a lot of gamblers. It's all about putting as many barriers to gambling in place, and reducing your access to it.

It sounds like you're pretty motivated to change right now, thinking about all the money you've lost over the years. Use that anger to do some positive things, like maybe getting into Gamblers Anonymous and attending their meetings, or maybe getting some individual counselling. You can find a GA meeting near you through their website: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/ , or if you're interested in one to one counselling, we have partner agencies in many parts of the UK that offer that for free to gamblers and we could point you in their direction. Those really help a lot of people with addressing any underlying reasons why they're gambling, and with working on effective ways to manage their urges. We'd be happy to chat with you more about any of these options if you wanted, just get in touch with us on our Helpline or Netline, which you'll see at the top of this page.

I hope this helps, and well done for starting on this path. Keep winning by not playing!

Travis

Hi travis,

My next step is to self exclude myself from the shops, I'm gonna tell my family and girlfriend the truth, and sort something regarding my finances, I will contact GA. I'm gonna take all on board and sort my life out. I can't keep going on like this. Thank tou for your message, means a lot.

Telling people close to you can be one of the best things you ever do. It was for me. Having the support of my close friends and family has helped me massively. Having someone to talk to about your feelings is great, and sharing them can sometimes help you stop yourself when those urges creep up on you.

When at my worst I had a family member take control of my finances. I had no access to cash without asking and justifying it first, so couldn't gamble it.

It sounds like you're really ready to do this and well done for those steps you've taken so far..... If I've learned anything it's to stay alert and put up blocks if you ever spot any holes in your strategy. Ie, I'm self excluded from all online sites I know about - but if I notice a new one I have to request exclusion so I can't be tempted to open an account when I'm not feeling so strong.

Good luck on your journey, I'm sure you'll do brilliantly! There are lots of supportive people here who know exactly what you're going through x

Hi pinky333

Thank you ever so much for your reply, I will take it all on board. I feel better about myself since joining this site and sharing my troubles with gambling. It's a massive 1st step. I've started to leave the house with under £5 a day, no bank cards also. Hopefully this will help, I've even taking different routes to work to avoid going past a bookies. It's a a lot of work but if it helps then I'm all for it!! Thank you for your advice, I will post everyday so I don't let myself down. X

Hi

hope your journey is going well. I'm into my second stint on this site. I did 100 days gamble free at the beginning of the year and ended up back in the horrible spiral.

But I'm here now for good. I'm so so determined to gett out of this horrible habit. My goal at the end is to buy a house. If I quit gambling I can afford to buy a house. Goal setting is very good and will help.

The triangle is also a good thing.

Money/location/time

Take 1 away and it's impossible to gamble. If you get the urge remove one straight away.

Carrying little money is a good idea and something I'm going to do aswell.

Best of luck. I'll keep a watch on your journey

Hi

Have you self excluded from the bookies? Passport photo and a simple form and then you wont have to avoid walking past the bookies. Best £5 for photos that you will ever spend!

The feeling of handing the form in and walking out past the people in that gambling environment is fantastic.

Its enough for me and Im not the type to try and break clear barriers.

All the best