Alex's story

Well done Alex and welcome to this forum. You will get lots of support here from people who truly understand what you have been experiencing. The best advice I has was to get a blocker put on to stop any pop ups for gambling and also to curb any impulse you may have to just 'have a go'. Not sure if you do on-line gambling, but would highly recommend if you do.

As everyone says on here, you can't stop so you can never win. In other words, total abstinence.

Good luck and keep posting as it does help.

Blue

Thanks Blue, I have been known to gamble online so I'll look into pop up blockers and such like things. Having an evening in with the housemates tonight so not much temptation or urge to gamble. My main problem is the amount of bookmakers in a walkable distance from my house. I'm going to self exclude tomorrow

Alex

Hi
Alex

Check out your local GA meeting. There you will find the strength, hope & experience of many people who have been where you are now.

Dan

Hi Alex

Welcome Alex. If you really want to give up gambling you have came to the right place for help. Amazing people on here sharing there stories and offering advice. I relate to what you say about so many bookies in the streets. However there always gonna be there and probably grow and grow. Self excluding from them will help but I live near 4 bookies all within 1 mile of my house. So what I do is not take much money out with me.

Your in a very good position although it might not seem it. Your only 21 and your having a fresh start. Good luck

Thanks for all your kind words and advice guys. Off to bed now and hopefully wake up in just as determined and positive in beating this.

Alex

Apologies. The screen on my phone keeps selecting "flag as abusive" when obviously this is not the case.

Admin and Alex please accept my apologies and good luck

Kind Regards

Day two :

Been mostly looking for a new jobs today so havnt really had time to think about gambling. Evenings is where I'm most vulnerable as boredom sneaks in. Staying strong though and determined not to give in. Looking forward to days turning into weeks. What's everyone's tips for staying busy?

Alex

Hi Alex I have 5 kids and a full time job so life is pretty hectic and I still gambled cause I was bored. 2 things I've done is started watching TV more. Eg just completed breaking bad and now starting prison break. The other thing was I've got a library card and have been reading footballers autobiography. Keeps my boredom at bay.

Boredom was a huge factor for me Alex, its about replacing that buzz that gambling gave u in a healthy way, Learn a new hobby, play a new musical instrument, do a course, photography , read a book, video games whatever floats ur boat!

Its dangerous to sit around moping however!

Wish you all the best with your journey of being gamble free, all the best for the future jobs etc.

Gav

Thanks Gav and Jamie. It's really nice to know that there are people on here who really are interested and care about how your doing. TV is something I watch a lot of to keep boredom away, I have finished both breaking bad and prison break and now onto sons of anarchy. Day 3 has been easy so far mainly becuase I'm working all day so the time/money/location triangle is broken. The real test will be this evening...

Hi Alex Well done on 3 days, keep busy, stay focused and positive because every single day you don't play you are a winner in every way.

Suzanne xx

Hi Alex, welcome to recovery 🙂

Good on you for realising @ this age you have a problem & this is a fantastic place to start!

GT has a thread on Tips for keeping busy which is worth a look @ but pretty much anything that allows you to ride out the urges is great! Breaking the Time-Money-Location triangle can be hard with so many bookies around & I had to surrender my finances @ the start of my journey! Self exclusion from your locals is a great idea (don't forget passport photographs) because that makes it harder if you are riding the storm!

Great work on your 1st 3 days! Keep winning - ODAAT

Thanks Suzaane, your kind word mean a lot. Odaat, Once I have finances to surrender I will be doing so. When it comes to the time, money, location triangle, I'm a keen darts player so going to the pub is tricky, with fruit machines ect. So now I just have to take the money for a few pints and nothing else. Always have to come up with some excuse as to why I don't have my wallet. Day three has been strong, hopefully day four is just as good.

Alex

Day 4 : Probably my hardest yet the proudest Iv been of myself in a long time. Had to go into town and do some shopping (been putting it off and putting it off because of the amount of bookmakers in town) finally went in today, the shop I needed to go in is right next to a particular bookie, I walked straight into the shop, got what I needed, walked straight out and went home. I'd like to say that it didn't even cross my mind, but of course it did, I'd be lying if I said I didn't even think about going in and having "just one spin" but the best thing is I didn't. I'm so proud of myself and everyday I'm getting stronger and stronger. Things can only get better and I'm the happiest Iv been in a long time. A friend of mine is coming this evening and staying over a couple of days so that will keep me busy for a while. Here's to 5...