Not entirely sure what to put here, but I'll hopefully be using this to just keep track of some progress and discover a feeling of normality over time.
I am a compulsive gambler, there I said it! To make things worse I am terrible at it! Never really won anything to remember, if I have won I have always lost it. I like to gamble when intoxicated. As soon as I have a drink it's all that I think about, I can control that for so long but after 4/5 cans of larger I normally cave.
I have been like that now for 9 years and I am 28 years old. One positive is I have never let my gambling come in between me and my career and I am very successful (not rich but successful) however I don't have anything that my friends do. They all own cars, a house have wonderful holidays. I just get drunk at weekends and spend my disposable income on slot machines. When writing it down it just sounds pathetic.
I am sure I need to seek councelling but I'll take the road to recovery one step at a time.
So progress so far, 2nd day of not gambling. I have drawn out all my cash for the month and cancelled my credit card and bank card. I have told my mum I'm going to transfer her money every month and I need her to draw it out, not explained the true reasons but hopeing in time I will feel able to.
I have blocked myself from every possible site and now I just hope I can take it one day at a time. I am going to take some time to read some stories on here. Some tips would be great.
I am really bored of this life and want to discover happiness through normal activity and get the buzz back for enjoying a simple film or walk along the coast. At weekends normal seems boring.
Anyway I have never wanted it this bad so fingers crossed I make good progress.
Day three and feeling ok today apart from all of the grand national advertisement, can't go 10 minutes without being reminded that gambling is constantly all around me!
At least the weather is amazing!
Good luck luck to you . Sounds like you are determined . I know what you mean about weekends seem boring but you gotta replace that buzz with something else , try fitness works for a lot of people.
I know what you mean about this weekend thou - it must be the hardest of all , the grand national is everywhere - !! It's driving me mad .
Anyway best of luck . Try and get to a week
Hi dpig2406,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing your story here.
You seem very determined to get over your gambling problem, (which is a step in the right direction) and to get a normal life as you’ve been yearning for.
I noticed the steps you’ve already taken in order to be able to stop gambling, and that include a strategy where you’ve arranged for your mum to take control of your finances, and also self- excluded from all places that you gamble from. I say “well tried” Dan; keep going, and try your best not to look back.
Gamcare can help you to achieve your aim of stopping gambling if you follow the advice that we offer you. I also suggest that you keep in touch with us, so we can provide you further help and support in case you need that to overcome your problematic gambling.
Like one of the forum member suggested to you, it would be indeed helpful to you to keep yourself busy with activities/ hobbies to distract you from gambling, and also to avoid being bored, and thus being tempted back into gambling.
Maybe, you’d like to contact our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and have a 1 to 1 chat with one of our advisers. You can request for counselling support as well, in case you think that can help you to overcome your gambling problem. Above all, keep posting!
Best wishes,
Beatrice
I'm fed up with gambling adverts. They are constant
End of day four and feeling ok. Not sure if it has anything to do with the boredom but I just can't stop eating! I am going to go to the gym on Tuesday and get back into some fitness.
I have wanted to learn Spanish for a very long time but have never gone through with it because I spend all my spare time drinking and gambling. I am going to set that as a realistic goal.
I also have not had any drink this weekend and I am reflecting on my behaviour. I am worried if I get drunk the urge to gamble will be uncontrollable, although I have removed all ways of gambling which I should find reassuring.
If anyone has any good documentaries and self help videos on YouTube I would ve really grateful for the links.
Day 5 done, I have never had so much time on my hands. Blitzed my flat, it looks incredible and have done some excessive.
This weekend my friend is coming down for the weekend, she knows my situation so means I can relax, have a drink and have some support to stay in control.
Really looking forward to hitting a week, it's been such a long time since I achieved that period of time without gambling.
I have also found it difficult to stop watching gamblers on YouTube and twitch, but staying strong.
Need to think of something to treat myself to when I get paid maybe.
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