For me, it all started on a Sunday, 6 months ago, where after an utterly miserable day, I placed 3000 on a football game and made 1000 profit. That was the first time I was betting significant money and the return made me think "This is so easy, I just need to stay disciplined".
Six months down the line, I have lost my entire life savings on football related gambling and on the verge of going into debt.
I started working straight after graduating from Uni six years ago and still in the same job with a few promotions along the way and a decent salary. For me, it's not the money itself that hurts, it's the six years worth of hard, hard work that I've thrown away which really brings me down.
Looking back, I'm pretty disgusted at myself for how naive I have been. I'll soon be 27 with a dream of buying a house, which has now evaporated for at least another 3, 4 years.
I try to be positive, which is I'm debt free, though can't help but rue wasting six years' worth of hard work.
Tonight, after suffering yet another big loss, I realize that I literally don't have more money. This HAS to stop now. I've closed ALL my betting accounts and hope this is the start of a new era.
Thanks for bearing with me.
Jon.
Jon
fella welcome to the forum, a place full of like minded folk who all share the same common goal,to end the destruction that is the gambling in their lives.
You will find a wealth of help and support here and some great advice.
I learnt like you the hard way,there is no such thing as easy money,the wins breed an arrogance,the belief that they will outweigh the losses.
The simple fact is we all live by the same mantra whilst gambling
I CANNOT WIN BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP.
there is no cure,medicine or magic potion to fix things
there is a re education of the brain.
well done for establishing some blocks through self exclusion.
My advice is the advice gifted to me upon my first days recovery,it still works today
there is a triangle
Time-money-location
take one away at all times and the punt becomes impossible
gifting your brain the time to let the rational side kick in,that way you gift yourself the chance to reverse that mantra
I DID WIN BECAUSE I DID STOP.
The money is gone,you have to put it behind you,a harsh lesson learnt,be proud that you have not put yourself into debt,because I can tell you that comes next.
Today you did something amazing
be kind to yourself
enjoy it
Duncs stepping forward never back
Duncs, thanks so much for the thoughtful message. You are indeed correct about the triangle theory. Time is what killed me.
I have got confirmation from ******* that my account is now closed. This is where I lost pretty much all my earnings and how naive was I to have planned a world cup betting spree to save the day. Those thoughts are now well & truly dead & burred.
Cheers,
Jon.
Update and also something my fellow battlers can look into as an option to control debt.
I applied for a 6 month interest free credit card to make sure I have sufficient financial backup during my recovery period. The fact that I'm down to my last penny is really impacting my day to day life and I struggle to focus at work. It will also remove the temptation for "one last bet to get some immediate cash in".
The credit card also comes with a 32 month interest free balance transfer, which sounds like a great option for someone who has accumulated debt. Just search for "interest free balance transfer credit card" online and you can compare loads of options.
I am seriously done with any sort of gambling. This is a disease which I will beat.
Thanks for reading my rants.
Jon.
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