I have had enough. It all started with a win back in February this year, and the rest, as they say, is history. At first I told myself oh even if I put the win back at least I am no worse off, only the original money that I put on the site. Then very quickly the high of online slot wins pulled me in. I very quickly managed to max all my credit cards, and even got a £15,000 loan out which all went on gambling! And now I am here 9 months later with over £60,000 debt it my name, and I feel like I am sat in a very long and very dark tunnel. Even today I have gambled even when I have no money but I will find it from somewhere because the addiction has been in so deep. But after coming on here and speaking on the chatroom, enough is enough.
Gambling is not my friend, its a demon that has clawed its way into my life and marriage.
So this is Day 1, the exorcism starts now. I shall try to blog every day in regards to my feelings and progress. Â
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Good to see you here, especially after chatting in the chatrooms. You've taken a big step. For me the keeping of a diary was key to my success so far. Make sure you get down all your emotions in the first few days. This is really handy in times of struggle. You can read back and remember the pointlessness and pain of gambling and what it has done to you.
If you haven't already, I suggest the following which worked for me:
-Open up to someone - this is a big step in saying 'I Quit'. It also makes you accountable
-Put all blocks you can in place. Gamban, GamStop, Bank blocks
-Contact Stepchange and sort out a debt payment plan
-Contact GA - It is not for everyone, but even going to 1 meeting shows true commitmentÂ
-Identify trigger times. You said you gambled online. I did too. I did this at night so i left my phone in a different room. I watched TV with phone in a separate room. At bedtime, my phone would then go in living room. Remove the temptation.
-I got addicted to the stories in here. I read every diary, every post. Loads of good advice and it keeps you occupied.
-Attend the chatrooms each night and update your diary. Anytime you are distracted is time you are not gambling.
-Change your routine. Quitting takes a big change in you. This is key. Read a book, go for a walk, anything to take you away from your phone! It gets easier and soon you will enjoy these simple things.
I'm sure there is more advice and help available on here. Take it all and create your own plan. What works for some, is not for others. I couldn't hand over finances to anyone, but that is key for allot of people for instance.
Best of luck and I hope to see you in the chatrooms again tomorrow.
Stay strong 👍Â
Welldone for reaching out this is the first major step as Weirdfish has mentioned blocks etc are a must coming on here trying and making changes can help towards recovery am sitting at day 480 gamble free have had many relapses along the way since starting Ga back in 2011 managed few month before relapse made many mistakes along the way one thing i have learnt gambling isnt forgiving it a life long illness i am fully aware im just 1 bet away from a disaster however seeing few others regulars on here has kept me goingÂ
@tazman Hi there.
I echo all the advice given above 👍. We have all been where you are at right now. Whilst it will currently feel overwhelming and put you at your lowest ebb, by doing all of the above, you will quickly start to feel better, both physically and emotionally.
I wish you strength and determination in being able to distance yourself from those very rich gambling establishments who don’t give a jot about people like us who have been lured in.
Wishing you the very best of luck 🙏.
Pink Lady 🩷🍎.
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