Hi, I joined in May with the hope of getting help. I put some measures in place to reduce my gambling (excluded from my usual online sites, put deposit restrictions on ones I didn't use often etc) but then I began to amend the deposit restrictions so that I could deposit more etc and felt it begin to spiral again. So today, as nervous as I was (and still am) I registered with Gamstop and it is scaring the living day lights out of me. Some people have a cold beer after a stressful day at work or go for a run etc, I played slots once I was settled for the evening. I would love some reassurance that it is going to be OK and maybe hints tips etc how to get through the next part as I do feel very nervous.
Thanks
Hi!
Your story will ring true for many in the forum and youve taken the right 1st steps!! I'm currently on day 143 and started out feeling the same as you do right now - try and find something to fill the time you've previously used for slots and keep yourself busy wherever you can. Would suggest if you have someone you can help look after your finances to keep the temptation away that you look to utilise them.
The nerves are understandable but you arent alone, congrats on making the first step and you can do this!!
I was exactly the same when I first join Gamstop, but when the time gone by you will feel settle and forgot about gambling.However, having said that the buzzing slots struck deep down in my mind for a period of time of self-exclusion.The biggest mistake is that I have self- excluded only 1 year instead of 5 years. I thought I will be alright everything should be under control but it wasn't. As much as I wanted to stop the contradiction on my mind keep telling me let have another go.When you have started it very hard to stop and bring you back to square one again.It only last around 10 days after removed my 1st of 1 year self-exclusion I have losses a considerable amount of money and I hated myself very much.Now I have extended to 5 years to make sure I am protecting myself from my ownself of gamble addiction.Hope you have registered long enough to rebuild your strength, don't make mistake as I do.
Thank you both for your responses and words of encouragement. Yes I put the 5 year exclusion in place. I know what you mean about the buzzing of the slots, I keep getting flashes of hitting the bonus in one of my favourite games in my mind but I'm reminding myself that they were few and far between and even when I won...I lost in the long run. I am focusing on the extra disposable income I will have and not waiting for payday to hot the bank amd deposit across all the casinos I was registered with. That's bound to be a good feeling when the time comes!!
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