My gambling has started getting out of control again. This time, it’s not online gambling, betting shops or arcades (because I have all the things in place to try to refrain from those things), it’s scratch cards. I have been trying to limit how many I buy but it’s starting to spiral, so I think I need to try to stop if I can (but from past experience, I don’t think I will succeed).
In any case, starting a new diary is an important step for me, and I think it’s a good place to start.Â
It’s only been about 30 minutes since I have gambled, but I guess you have to start building up that abstinence from 0 at some stage.Â
I will try to keep my diary each day, and at this stage I want to see how many days I can manage without buying any scratch cards. I have worked out that I have spent, on average, about £8 per day since the start of 2024, which is way more than I can afford. I tried to limit myself, I even kept a record of when I bought scratch cards, how much I spent and all that. But I kept changing the goalposts and convincing myself that I could stay in control. Have I not learnt anything?
I expect if people read this they will tell me that I have to have the aim of stopping completely, not just limiting myself. But I have been trying to do that for years without much success and I just don’t know whether it’s something that I can manage. I don’t know if I can live without scratch cards in my life…Â
Anyway, I thought that for each day I don’t gamble, that’s basically £8 that I am saving. So maybe that will motivate me if I keep track of how much I am saving by NOT gambling.Â
Good luck, everyone else with your own personal journeys.
Hi Sully2024,Â
Thank you for sharing your experience on the forum. Yes, we can only ever work from the present moment so well done for taking the decision to bravely confront your gambling now.Â
If you would like to explore your gambling in more depth free and confidentially, please feel welcome to contact us 24/7 via live chat or helpline (0808 8020 133) You don't have to go through your recovery journey alone. Â
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kind regards,Â
Tom (forum admin)Â
I am pleased to say that I didn’t gamble at all today. I didn’t even buy a single scratch card. So that means I have saved £8 already (because that is what it has been costing me on average each day - that’s £240 a month and almost £3,000 a year!).Â
There were a few times when I nearly went in a shop and thought about buying one, but I had quite a busy day which kept my mind off of the thought of gambling. I’m hoping that tomorrow will also be a success.Â
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