Hi,
I was on this forum about 9 months ago, had seperated from my wife and 3 kids after she found out about my debts, most of them through gambling. The first 6 months after the seperation were horrific. I found it hard to focus on anything, i continued gambling, tried to stop several times but only lasted a few days. Luckily I didnt lose a lot and have been steadily paying back my debts which will take a while. Its only really been the last 2 weeks that I have began to feel good about myself again. I havent had a bet in 9 days and have had no real urges after the first couple of days. I have kept myself busy, joined a gym, ordered a couple of books (The Allen Carr Gambling one & an autobiography of a scottish footballer, Kevin Twaddle who lost everything through gambling) just to show what a destructive vice this really is. Thankfully I have my kids regularly now and am speaking to my ex wife again however it was 6 months after the seperation before this could be acheived. 2013 really was the worst year of my life but heres hoping 2014 will be a million times better and gamble free.
Hi mcfly,
Just want to say well done for stating focused after all the upset of seperation etc that tells me you really want this stay away from gambling and if you do slip then just get back in the fight I've slipped many times but am now on 43 days and strongest I have ever felt,good luck buddy
The bear
Cheers Bear,
I think the fact that I didnt have access to the kids for the first 6 months was putting so much stress on me that gambling was a way to block it out, when really it was just making things more stressful. Now I see the kids regularly and enjoy days out with them, things are a lot better. I think keeping yourself busy is the key to beating this, I always make sure I have something to do every night, whether it be read a book, watch a DVD, go to gym, go out for a drink with mates. Filling the boredom factor is key to beating this.
Yep beating the void that gambling leaves behind is the key in previous times have kept looking and eventually you feed the urge so it gets bigger and bigger then bang your back in it keep busy mate and keep wanting not to gamble as long as your fighting you have a chance.
The bear
Day 10 been and gone. Thankfully not much urges, its definately getting easier by the day. Went to the gym last night. Now comes the toughest time of the week, the weekend. Planning on keeping myself busy!
Day 11 done and again no real urges. I was dreading waking this morning as Saturday is toughest day for a gambler. My usual routine would have me up picking out the days football bets, but not today. Have got up and read a few chapters of Allan Carr's How to quit gambling and it seems an honest and refreshing book for compulsive gamblers. Gonna keep myself busy today, gym, bit of shopping then out tonight for a few drinks with mates so all thoughts of gambling will be extinguished.
Day 12 gone and not as tough as I thought it would be. Kept myself busy, went out with friends and had no urges.
Fast approaching 2 weeks gambling free now and the weekend turned out to be much easier than expected. I knew I had a lot of free time over the weekend so planned to find things to do. I even sat up and watched the golf last night and found it exciting even without a bet, which would not normally be the case. Already noticing I have a lot more money this month than any other so chipping away at my debts and getting them cleared.
2 weeks gamble free and feeling great, this is the best I have felt in a long time. Im not actually broke a week after payday for a change! For anyone only starting to quit today please persevere, it does get easier by the day.
Well done mcfly on two weeks brilliant stuff keep it up start enjoying your life
The bear
well done mcfly on two weeks ive managed not to gamble for 68 days today, I used to gamble on fobt machines in the betting shops and online roulette was my killer game, I lost £440 in December so ive decided to not gamble at all now and finally stop.
Thanks Bear and Stop,
Day 15 passed and no urges and no gambling.
Thankfully I never gambled on fobt machines or my problems would have been a lot worse. I've sat in bookies and watched people puts hundreds and thousands in them machines within an hour. My particular vice is sports betting and in particular football. I wasnt ever really interested in Machines, Poker, Roulette etc i've hardly ever even bought a lotto ticket but there were stages in my life where I couldnt watch a football match without having a bet on it, thankfully that has changed and I can enjoy watching sports again without the nerves and tension of knowing whether your going to lose a fortune.
16 days done.
I knew there was plenty of football on last night so took the kids swimming then went to gym and had no thoughts of a bet thankfully.
Hi Mcfly
Well done on 16 days! keep strong!
linda
Thanks Linda,
17 days gone and feel a lot better already, was dreading the weekends the last couple of weeks but find myself actually looking forward to this weekend. I have the kids for a sleepover so will keep myself busy with them all weekend and enjoy the time spent with them.
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