Hi everyone. I'm 28 years old and I've been gambling since I was 15. My family are all gamblers so I've grown up around it. Used to start off just a couple of pound on a Saturday but I remember one day when I was 17 I won 600 for 3 pound. That was when it started getting bad.
I will budget a certain amount of my weekly pay to gamble. I will cut money of the gas,electricity, food shop money to have more money to gamble. I won't spend 5 pounds on a pizza from asda but happilly put a tenner on a greyhound.
The start of January I gave up for 2 months. It was the most amazing feeling. My finance noticed a difference in me I was a better dad to my kids and every week I had money to buy stuff. Then one day I was.weak and gambled again and that was me. The other day I borrowed money of my mum and went to the bookies. Put six separate bets on without looking at form or anything I just needed to have a bet.
I'm going to beat this as I have to beat it. I've seen what not gambling does for you made my life a lot better those.2 months.
Wish me luck
Good luck this illness we suffer from is crippling but with support and encouragement from fellow gamblers you can beat this stay strong x
Day 1
First full day without gambling went really well. I always find the first week or 2 the easiest as you start of very determined.
It can be easy the first few weeks as your at your strongest due to the hatred of gambling that you feel.
However it always finds its way back and when you have a weak moment it will pounce and usually it causes desperation again.
Dedicate yourself to this site for a few months and give yourself some breathing space.
Its been 104 days for me and the peace of mind that i now have is priceless. No money worries,am happy,everyone around me have noticed how different i am...i can sleep at night without gambling thoughts...brilliant.
All the best
Stay strong
I am hating the thought of gambling again but struggling with my partners hurt and the guilt I have and Shame I feel...but I have to face it like a man and try and show her I'm decent... It's a hard journey and 3 days in I realise more each hour what I have done all my life..Im not a nice person..
Don't beat yourself up. I don't think there are many people that haven't done something they wish they hadnt. It's natural to feel stupid and guilty but start to look at the qualities you had for those two months and you will soon see your not a horrible person just easily led, the bookies, online casinos know and thrive on human nature. But let's show them we can do without them and get back to doing things that make us feel good inside instead of those horrible false highs that are gone in the blink of an eye along with our dignity and cash. Stay strong. Mary
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