Always a gambler

Hi Brad,

Machine players in general are prone to re-bet a 'win' - even if it is a day or two later.

Given that the machines grind out profits (for the house) in the long run, this tends to make the final outcome a negative one.

The frustration of losing control can sometimes lead to significant loss-chasing, but you will, of course, already be aware of all of this. That said, tough days which test your resolve will roll around and it is worthwhile trying to have a plan for dealing wit them.

Sometimes gambling is seen as way to escape from a problem or setback - or simply a means to combat boredom. Or perhaps an influx of funds or a hard-fought improvement in your financial situation might promote a (false) sense of security.

So when the next tough day arrives, try hard to focus on the lessons of past experience. It might also help if you can reconnect with and re-read your posting above; or you might feel able to 'phone us on our free number just to chat things through.

I think there will be many on here who associate with your diary posting, so well done for writing it.

Hoping you will excuse the intrusion....

Kind regards,

Forum admin

(Robert)

If I start thinking i've learnt my lesson and can start to enjoy it again, i know its not going to be long before i'm gambling properly again.

Glad your back

Hi Brad,

Well done on recognising the signs and coming back here for support. Like Robert says, I am one who can relate to your post. It was a situation that I found myself in more times than I want to remember.

The good thing is though, that I am now reaping the benefits of recovery. It took me a long time (I was first here on Gamcare in Sept 2008) to really want to quit gambling.

Keep strong my friend, and keep posting.

You CAN beat this....

All the best

Ade

Hi everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read and post on my diary.

Your correct in what you say Triangle. I can't explain my head at the moment. I think I'm at the point where I have turned a corner and I'm in control. I stop coming here because the constant reminder of what I've been through. But then I realise now that I stop coming here to slip back into my own ways.

Gambled the last two nights. Only by luck I'm OK. But again, throw £500 in to try and recover a £200 loss. I know I have to change otherwise I'm going to sink lower than before. I'm not in debt now, and I have some savngs, I think thats the problem. I see it as "disposable income" which will bail me out if need be.

Anyway, thats in the past. Whats done is done, and whats important is that I learn from it. 1st step now, cancel and self exclude my account.

Will be on later when I have done it.

..... and Ade, I will beat this. It's good coming back here and seeing old faces and seeing there journey.

Didn't gamble Thursday or last night. Today will be a test for me, a whole weekend full of games.

I will not gamble though....

Just wasted £2750. Gutted. Will post full story tomorrow.

Feel gutted for you but you know any time you gamble Win/Lose you are in danger be careful

Michael

Well. What can I say.

The last month or so I'd started betting again. Had a lucky streak here and there. Lost a couple too but managed to recoup that. I decided enough was enough. Hadn't really lost anything so thought I'd quit while I was ahead. I closed my account. Didn't self exclude, I suppose as a safety net.

Last night, a demon within me decided to bet on the football. I placed £500, and surely enough, lost. That wasn't enough though. I placed another £2250 on to get back what I'd lost. Again lost.

I can't explain how I feel today, I really can't. Obviously I'm so dissappointed in myself. Another part of me see's it as a lesson. And I can assure you it's a lesson I'll learn from.

I could never walk away from gambling when I was winning (I use that term loosely), why would you? But after a loss it powers you on to suceed in abstaining.

Financially OK. I'm not in debt. It'll take me four months to get back to where I was, but I'll do it.

I have also now cancelled my lottery subscription too. For me, it has to 100% no gambling.

Hi Brad,

Sorry to read you slipped, and I do feel for you this morning, but look how you are already standing back up tall, and even more determined 100% zero gambling is a sure way to move forwards,

Well done on not giving up giving up

Take care, sending you positive and strong thoughts,

Suzanne xx

Hi Brad,

I am sorry you've had a blip. I have been where you are many, many times, and I feel your pain.

Brad, at least you are not in debt from this. Just think if you were to carry on, then there's a good chance that you will be. I have tried to stop many times before, woke up vowing that I'm never gonna gamble again after losings hundreds, even thousands the night before, but it wasn't in me. I never self excluded, I never put the blocks on my laptop. My advice would be to do these, if you haven't already. Well done on having a zero gambling policy re the lottery.

Wishing you all the best. You can do it.

K x

Thanks Suzanne and K for your kind words.

I filled in the self exclusion form earlier so thats one block in place.

I've always been in debt since I was 18 or so. Finally debt free and starting to save and I waste it.

Whats done is done. Last night I was all over the place. Today I'm thinking more clearly. I've self excluded and done my outgoings for the next few months, things aren't that bad. I haven't got any credit cards. My partner doesn't know I gamble and I don't want to tell her at the moment, she'd be dissappointed. In a few months time we are going to open a joint account. Knowing she can see the statements will be another deterrant for me.

Great positive post, your very quick turnaround is very inspiring to us all,

I admire your positivity,

Take care,

Suzanne xx

Morning diary.

So yesterday I did not gamble. Not surprising I suppose as I self excluded and have no money available, but if I really wanted too I could have. One thing I did realise last night, I actually enjoyd watching the football for what it is. Not yelling at the TV for a change.

Morning Diary.

Today is day 4. It's the weekend. I will keep myself distracted today and tomorrow as I have a lot of free time and the football is on.

Yes I've slipped, but I'm back on the wagon more determined than ever.

I'm also a bit worried. I have cancelled my £14 a month d/debit for my lottery numbers. One line twice a week. I never do anymore than that. My numbers have been the same for years. I think I'm going to have to keep doing them. Initially I wanted to be 100% gamble free I don't think I can give my special numbers up.