When I gamble I stop everything else in my life. I feel guilty talking to friends, especially if they ask what I've been doing. I stop running, which is my biggest release from life and something I love. I haven't ran in 5 or so days, but I went to buy running shorts on the weekend and lost this months bill money, so now I don't want to wear them. They were bloody expensive too!
I relate so strongly with stories on here, I'm hoping I'm one of those "checking in at day 150" or whatever. Maybe I'll have April 2018 tattooed or something, but then people will think it's a failed relationship. Same with May. But I can't wait until a non-name month to stop
haha jneedshelp...I like your sense of humour...and the same with June lol!! I understand where you are coming from...I also isolate...and its not a good thing to do. Exercise is a brilliant tool...I also stopped and I have the signs of it now! Get those shorts on and get out...even for a mile. Breaking that psychological barrier is hard...but literally taking the first step you will feel better for it.
Thanks Valda! I think it's a good idea to be light, even with serious topics and feelings. It makes admitting I've ruined my life a little bit less painful
What exercise did you do? I'm debating between trying to run a marathon and picking up weights, I'm too feeble for both!
havent done a marathon but its on my bucket list...only done a few halfs. Thats my next mission...get back to being fit n healthy 🙂 I say go for the marathon...as it requires serious dedication and commitment...there will be no time for gambling and its great to get those endorphins going...a heathier escape..(just not great for the knees!!)
I had a small slip up this morning/late last night. Up a few pounds but it doesn't make me feel better. I booked a GP appointment in a fortnight, so that will hopefully help. Starting over again I guess, but with the last site self excluded. Shame I couldn't do it on will power
Have you registered with gamstop yet? Being up a few pounds is better than having lost...but as you know it just means a lucky escape this time.The problem is still there...and thats what needs to get fixed. I got some advice on here last night...its not the money...eventhough that seems to be the thing we worry about...its the bigger issue that we should be worrying about. I have had a reasonable day...went to look at my account and all the money that I blew hasnt registered in my account yet....so Im still kind of in denial to the damage I did. I am also planning on seeing a councellor next week...this life change process has to start. I managed to get netnanny on my phone last night so very happy that I am now blocked from everything online. Its a great feeling that I cant access even if I wanted to...great peace of mind. Funny that I resented paying $59..99 for it!!! but blew 8.5k a few days before...what a complete screwed up thought process....or lack of thought I guess! Keep looking for ways to stop yourself...exclusion, blocks, anything that will stop you from doing it again. And get out running!...26.2 miles wont run itself!!
I've got a lot of work on my plate as of today, so hopefully the next few days should fly by. Working hard makes it harder to get into mischief, idle hands and all!
$60 seems like a lot for net nanny. I'm self excluded from everywhere (with gamstop and individually), so I'm not sure if I need to buy it. I'll find out soon I suppose!
Totally agree with you that it's not about the money, I could win the euromillions and turn around and waste it on gambling, but it's partly about the money, none of us got hooked on "play money" games
thats a very intersting point about the "play money" games. I guess that answers the question of why we keep going back...it most definatley must be the chase then...chasing the losses.
That's the case for me at least, I'm sure lots of people are addicted to free things. Have you ever watched "My strange addiction" on youtube or TLC? Lots of those are borderline free
Great news!! One of my creditors has offered me a very good payment plan, £20/month until it's paid, with interest completely frozen. I'm very very close to being on an even keel financially (still in debt, just the payments will be doable)
A friend is sending me a few thousand to sort the payday loans. Very very fortunate that he's helping me, I'll suspend all gambling until I pay him back, because I know I can't let him down. I couldn't live with myself letting down someone like that. Hopefully that's the incentive I need
Ive had Afternoon jneedshelp,
Ive not been on the forum for a while now and laid here in bed after working nights last night where i was bored so decided to play the casino i won a bit but the feel of regret and dissapointment to myself is 10 fold over winning.
Ive had counselling twice now 6 sessions per time the first time i finished the course was doing well and then boom 2k in the casino in 3 hours well done me so went back to counselling this time it has helped ive managed to get blocks in place. The counsellor did tell me about the gambling triangle which is Access Time Money. If you take one of those away it makes it much harder to gamble. The problem is when im bored its so easy to google a casino or whatever online and sign up! I have gamban app on my phone but i turn that on n off as i see fit so i think the netnanny is quite a good option, something im looking to get myself. Enough about me anyways.....
I was in your situation ie with payday loans and creditors and i was fortunate enough that i told my family about my addiction and they were so supportive and helpful. I was lucky in the fact my dad bailed me out of £15k of debt which saved me £10k thorough interest!
Now the shoe is on the other foot where a friend of mine is in a spot of bother with payday loans so i have loaned him money and it feels so good for me knowing im now in the situation to be able to lend money because as of before i was lending money here there n everywhere.
I suppose in all my blabering on the point im trying to make is once you have all the payday loans n creditors sorted and found a payment planthat suits you shut that door and baracade it and try not to fall into that viscious circle of leanding because it will just keep adding up until rock bottom
Hope your having a gf day 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement! Did you do counselling through the NHS? How was it? I live in a small town so I'm not sure if it's an option alongside working full time
Sounds like it's improving your situation at least, hope this new set of sessions gets you completely clean!
I had a massive run yesterday, my furthest ever! About 9 miles, 17 short of my goal for next summer 😉
Despite my friends loan I'm slightly short of what I need this month, hopefully I can scrounge up the bit I'm short. I've got major itchy hands today, missing the feel of casino chips. I couldn't get an instaloan (which is for the best!) so I'll just stay in and have a bath, and a lot of water. I went to a family bbq today and I'm definitely feeling the sun. I never thought I'd get "withdrawals", I thought my main problem was money, not gambling. It doesn't feel that way now that I'm trying to stay completely clear of it. Strange.
Starting over again. I'm so f****d financially I don't know how to cope. I'm hoping for anxiety medication in an appointment tomorrow but don't know how to pay for the prescription right now
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