Hi everybody,
Gambling is ruining every part of my life and has done for 10 years. It all started at 17 with slot machines, then on to online casinos chasing bonuses as a way to 'beat the system'. Since then I've gambled every form, online, betting shops, arcades, casinos the lot! Some more than others but its been a life of misary.
I have managed a year and a half in the last 10 years but this is by far the longest I've gone.
The current situation is that I've got myself in £2500 in debt in the last month alone.
Deciding whether to hammer the debt or try and life a norml life and pay the debt back slower. I should have savings not debt so this is really frustrating.
The plan is to sort finances out so i'm not tempted to try and win it back, blocks are already in place, and post on here as much as possible and read other diaries so I know its possible!
Feeling really rubbish tonight as always going back in to day one but trying to remain as positive as possible.
Thanks,
BL
Hello BL
Welcome to the forum.
Good positive opening post. Blocks, sorting out the finances and reading around the forum - I like what I read.
I've gambled for a similar length of time: sports, casinos, keno, cockroach racing - you name it I've more than likely lost money on it, ruining my life in the process.
Never managed anything like a year and a half without gambling. That's good going. Need to utilize whatever helped you then and learn from the mistakes, while applying new things to help you stop (like joining GamCare). Should all help you get a handle on this addiction.
Good to have you here, I'm sure you can bring a lot to the forum.
Best wishes
Glint
Day 1
Thanks so much Glint, really nice to come on here to a positive and encouraging post. Cockroach racing - haha, its funny but we would bet on anything that moves!
Had a few emails from casinos that I'd been gambling with over the last few days, deleted and managed to see off the urge quite well. Can't believe casinos that you have just self excluded with send emails with offers, how stupid is that! ]
Feeling really positive about this now and need to be as there is no alternative. Being depressed is just going to drag me back in to the spiral of losses. Need to accept the money has gone and deal with it.
Had a brilliant day not gambling, here's to many more!
BL
Day 8
It's been a hectic first week which has been good for my recovery to keep busy. Got builders in on our house extension and working long hours at the moment so no time to gamble. I've always found the first week the hardest to get through so i'm happy it's done. I know this means I can't take my foot off the gas, I need to stay strong.
I have had countless emails from slots companies trying to get me to sign up to another 200% bonus but managed to delete or unsubscribe instead. I did think, in what other buisness would someone offer you over and over again to match the money you were paying them?! Crazy when you think about it, especially as I've never beat them! Hopefully a lesson learnt!
Still mad busy but will post as much as I can.
Can't win because I can't stop.... got to keep telling myself that!
Thanks for reading
BL
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