Gambled at school, firstly on the arcades and then football accas and racing bets in the days when a 15 year old could easily walk into a bookies and place a bet.
First went to GA back in the late 1980's but couldn't make it stick. Much to my regret
Last bet was August bank holiday monday. Lost £1100 in a couple of hours - mainly horse racing which has always been my biggest weakness.
Have finally registered with Gamstop having had online accounts running into the hundreds over the years.
Managed 67 days clean earlier this year but lapsed and went 'on tilt' (as ever).
In a fair amount of debt (£35k) and I'd describe myself as a 'coping compulsive gambler'.
All the debt is down to betting and probably carried that amount for a dozen years or more.
Lost jobs down to being distracted by gambling to a ridiculous extent.
29 days clean
Hi K2,
well done for being 29 days gambling-free. Please do also contact us on the Helpline 0808 8020 133 or Netline if there is anything you would like to discuss one-to-one with an Advisor.
Best Wishes
Forum Admin
Hi K2, stick with it this time. You know what you want and what you have to do, it’s black and white, nothing in between, all the very best k2. Guard Up, Rainman
Thanks Rainman
30 days
One day at a time
31 days
32 days
Well done on 32 days K2!
Thank you
Always good to get through any day but particularly a Saturday
34 days
35 days.
Will start posting a bit about my journey but £36k in debt with nothing to show for it, and all as a result of gambling
I can accept this but know its going to take the best part of 4 years to clear.
36 days
Well done mate keep it going !
Where do you start with the near lifetime of regrets with gambling ?
It's not just the money, although there has been plenty of that lost, its the time, the relationships, education & jobs lost.
Missing a final exam at university to go to the bookies is a particular low.
Many times upon trying to stop, I've relapsed thinking 'what's the point - you have wasted all this time already'
Hopefully not this time
37 days.
A day at a time
Been thinking a lot about NOT gambling recently. As well as gambling through boredom and stress, my biggest reason by far was the belief that I could win money. I’d gamble to pay any kind of bill or future cost almost however trivial.
Car needs washing and hoovering ? Head to bookies on route in the hope of winning some money so that it would be ‘free’.
£36k debt suggests this wasn’t the most logical thought process.
My names Ken and I’m a compulsive gambler. My last bet was 27th August 2018
43 days
Congratulations Ken on 6 weeks without a bet. Wishing you well on your gamble free adventure.
It is difficult living with the shame and regret of our gambling past but we can't let it drag us back down time after time. We must draw a line under it and move on.
Many times in the past, I have, like yourself, tried to pay for purchases by winning the money off the bookies. On the rare occasions it works out, it does feel good. However, it usually ends up with us losing enough to pay for the items many times over. We all know that the addiction is a master of kidology...stephen
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