Hi,
I first posted on gamcare back in 2024 I actually went back to read my post and I wish I had stuck to my plans back then.
To give some background I’ve been gambling since I was 18 I’m now in my late 30s and each year the gambling has gotten worse.
It’s now got to the point where my wages for the month are gone in a week most moths I skip bills and try to hide my gambling from those close to me.
But today I told myself I’ll have one final £100 turned in £300 and that would be it, but I’ve actually acted on it gambling block on my bank, gamban installed and gamstop signed up to.
It’s got to a critical point for me now I need to stop as it’s causing serious mental health issues for me and I don’t want to continue like this.
Sorry for the rant I’m not ready to open up to anyone close to me about this yet and I just needed to unload some stuff so I can hopefully look back in a few months and be like look where I was sort of thing.
Thanks
Hi Mike
First off, you don’t need to apologise what you’ve written is honest, and that takes more courage than you probably realise. A lot of people never even get to the point of admitting things have got out of control, so the fact you’re here and reflecting on it says a lot.
It really stood out that you actually acted today putting a block on your bank, installing Gamban, signing up to GamStop. That’s not a small thing, that’s a big shift. A lot of us have had those “this is the last bet” moments, but turning that into real barriers like you’ve done is a proper step forward. Give yourself credit for that.
Also, that pattern you described turning £100 into £300 and still not stopping is exactly how this thing works. It’s not about the amount, it’s about the cycle. Even when you’re up, it pulls you back in. Recognising that is important because it shows you’re starting to see it for what it is, not what it promises to be.
Right now, the key thing isn’t “never gamble again forever”that can feel overwhelming. It’s just getting through today, then tomorrow. One day at a time. The blocks you’ve put in place will help with the impulsive side, but there are a couple of things that can really strengthen what you’ve started:
• Limit access to money if you can (even temporarily). Having less available removes a lot of temptation in those tough moments.
• Expect urges—they will come, especially in the first few weeks. They pass, even if they feel intense at the time. Try to ride them out rather than fight them head-on.
• Replace the habit even something simple like going for a walk, gaming, watching something, anything that fills that time when you’d usually gamble.
• Keep talking even if it’s just on forums for now and if you can reach out to the great advisors on GamCare and also come along to the chat rooms they are very encouraging. You don’t have to open up to people close to you until you’re ready, but don’t keep it all bottled up. And one more thing don’t let that thought of “I wish I stuck to it back in 2024” drag you down. That’s hindsight. What matters is you’re doing something about it now. This could be the point you look back on in a few months and think, “that’s when things started to change.”
You’re not alone in this, even if it feels like it right now. Keep going you’ve already made one of the hardest moves by taking action today.
Hi Mike, I’m new here. I installed Gamban on my phone Friday and did well over the weekend. This was after a complete breakdown where I gambled the last of my money for the month. I reached out on here and I told my brother what a mess I’ve gotten myself into. He lent me some money to get me through and I vowed to myself and him that that’s it. Well Yesterday I dug out my old phone, I thought maybe because I haven’t gambled I’d be lucky to win some money back and then I’d install Gamban on this phone too. You can see where this is going. I’m back to square one, no money, can’t reach out to my brother again as he thinks I’m doing so well. I feel so ashamed and disgusted with myself. I just thought I’d reach out to say you’re not alone and that we will beat this horrible addiction (even if it doesn’t feel like it yet!)
Hi Mike
When you first posted on here two years ago, how long did you stay off for ?
I did exactly as you have described, after 44 years of gambling I woke up on 19th November and decided I was ending my relationship with gambling that day. I decided to have one last half hour on slots and for the first time in years did not place any sports bets.
Then I put the blocks in place and started to build up accountability. I do regularly check the friction in place for me so I sit down and work out how long and how would I place another bet. I then to try to add any friction levels to my blocks in case its less than half an hour
Have you tried to work on your mindset at all a out wanting to gamble and rewiring your brain, through counselling and GA ?
Hi Both
One of the most powerful things I've done in recovery is to write out my life story and post it on here. It really helped me to understand why I gambled and tackle those problems and character defects which I do every day. Because I've recognised the life I've lead and told people on this community so it's not hidden in isolation, each day I wake up and work on this side of me, I have absolutely no urge to gamble. I don't need a solution if there isn't a problem
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