I'm now into day 12 of not gambling and I'm feeling more positive than ever before. I feel like I'm slowly but surely getting over this crippling addiction. My thoughts now are turning into anger at the betting companies who made it so easy to get into this mess in the first place!
Yes, I know that it was me who deposited the money, it was me who placed the bets. However, it was also me who became sick and ill with this addiction. If an alcoholic walked into a pub and was visibly drunk, he'd be denied another drink. Sadly, there's no way to see if a gambler is struggling, at least not to the general public.
The betting companies do very little to help, surely if the notice that someone is depositing £100s and not winning, playing at early hours in the morning, reversing withdrawals, they should try to contact that person to discuss why they are gambling excessively and what can be done to help?
What has become apparent to me since giving up betting is the number of adverts on the tv and the number of sports teams and events sponsored by betting companies. Every other advert on BT Sport is for a gambling site. Surely something can be done about this?
The "When the fun stops, stop" campaign doesn't go far enough at all. Yes, it's good that they're offering this advice. However, it doesn't tell you HOW to stop or WHY you should. Also, for most gamblers, the fun stopped a long time ago.
Hi, welcome to the forum and a big congrats on 12 days abstaining, you sound really positive about where you want to be and I know you will remain as strong as you can to get there. You will received a wealth of support from others that have also been crippled by this illness. For us we were unfortunate, we tried our hands at it and became addicted. It isn't our fault, some people remain recreational gamblers who are happy to take it or leave it, for us sadly we got into it for whatever reasons, just that little deeper and developed problems.
Keep up the good fight, believe in yourself and you will see the rewards.
Wilsy
Wilsy wrote:
Hi, welcome to the forum and a big congrats on 12 days abstaining, you sound really positive about where you want to be and I know you will remain as strong as you can to get there. You will received a wealth of support from others that have also been crippled by this illness. For us we were unfortunate, we tried our hands at it and became addicted. It isn't our fault, some people remain recreational gamblers who are happy to take it or leave it, for us sadly we got into it for whatever reasons, just that little deeper and developed problems.
Keep up the good fight, believe in yourself and you will see the rewards.
Wilsy
Thanks Wilsy! You're right! I've received amazing advice and support and I'm really determined to change. This forum and the counselling sessions will certainly help keep me on the right path.
Good lad, really pleased mate, day at a time yeah, no pressure and be kind to yourself!
Wilsy
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