A year ago, I was drowning in debt, selfishly putting my gambling addiction before my family, my responsibilities, and even my own well-being. Payday after payday, every penny I earned and more went straight into gambling. When I ran out of money, I turned to payday loans with crushing interest rates, digging myself deeper and deeper into a financial and emotional pit.
Last Christmas was one of the darkest times in my life. I didn’t have a single pound to spend on gifts for my loved ones. I avoided family gatherings, ashamed of what I had become. I told myself I’d win it all back someday, but that “someday” never came. Gambling didn’t just take my money; it stole my joy, my time, and my connection to the people I love.
But this year, things are different. I made the decision to stop gambling, and while it wasn’t easy, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I won’t sugarcoat it, it takes time. The debts don’t vanish overnight. In my case, it took months of chipping away at those crippling loans and payments. There were times when progress felt painfully slow. But the moment I decided to climb out of that pit, I’d already won.
Stopping gambling is like flipping a switch: the financial recovery begins the instant you stop pouring money into losses. Each month, I watched my debt shrink bit by bit, and for the first time in years, I felt a sense of control and hope. Now, I’ve managed to save £300. £300 that was not borrowed or gambled away. Money I can finally use to buy gifts for my family and friends this Christmas.
For me, that’s a miracle. This is the first Christmas in years where I don’t feel the crushing weight of financial despair. I no longer have to dread logging into my bank account or answering phone calls from creditors. The difference between this year and the ones before is simple: I stopped gambling.
Looking back, I mourn the person I used to be, the lonely, desperate me who thought gambling was the only way out of my problems. If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this: gambling is a lie. It doesn’t solve your problems; it creates them. The only real win is when you stop.
If you’re struggling this Christmas, please know that it does get better. Don’t let gambling rob you of another Christmas, another year, or another moment. It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s possible. And it’s worth it.
This Christmas, I feel like I’ve finally got my life back. You can, too.
Very heart warming but utterly realistic message I totally get you and it’s very timely as a huge wake up call to myself and us all
Time to get all blocks in place, restricting credit and debit cards , going to your local GA meeting and very importantly talk to your loved ones and family a lot
Keep switched on and plan for your promising future
Thanks for making me realise how lucky I am to have all of you guys help on here😊
Excellent post, and exactly my situation. Last Christmas I couldn’t buy gifts for my nieces and nephews. I took out payday loans to pretend to my wife I was ok financially. It was all a lie. 12 months on I have savings, I’m not afraid of this Christmas, and I will be buying lots of gifts. 8 months I’ve not gambled for and those 8 months have flown by. If you quit now, you will be in a much better place before you know it. Soak up the advice in here. Tackle it head on. Leave that life behind you. Read this post and make it your goal to post your similar story this time next year.
Thanks @londoneye for such a great post
You got this 💪
@i7r9twun1f Wow! Thank you for your encouraging words and it’s partially heartwarming on my end to read and know that my post has helped you. I try to be as honest as I possibly can when I write here knowing that others may be helped by the words I write. The only reason I have been successful is because I’ve done everything you highlighted. Block everything on anything you can. Install GamBan and your life will change forever. Most importantly be kind to yourself. Time is a healer. Thank you so much for your lovely words once again.
@Weirdfish, I don’t know where to start except for thanking you for some lovely words in response to my post above. You situation pretty much mirrors mine a year ago and it’s nice to be able to resonate with you. It is the best feeling in the world to be rid of the awful gambling disease that used to consume my every breathing minute. I completely resonate with you about being scared of Christmas. Not this year. I’ve even paid my £2000 over draft off. The feeling, knowing that I can go a little over board if I want to on my family and friends in the full knowledge that I can repay everything in January is soothing. Not only do you get your money and your life back but being a non gambler has improved my quality of sleep too.
I have been gambling for years now and I can’t stop I just came across this site today and I’m happy to see testimony from people who fought and won gambling addiction,I pray i overcome this addiction
december 2nd 2024 will be the journey of my war
because I already gamble 1st December 2024
please I need ur assistance in my life I really want to quit gambling and get my life back
This is inspirational, I can relate to this so much from my past thank you for sharing
What a great message and one that I think a lot of people need to hear!A year ago, I was drowning in debt, selfishly putting my gambling addiction before my family, my responsibilities, and even my own well-being. Payday after payday, every penny I earned and more went straight into gambling. When I ran out of money, I turned to payday loans with crushing interest rates, digging myself deeper and deeper into a financial and emotional pit.
Last Christmas was one of the darkest times in my life. I didn’t have a single pound to spend on gifts for my loved ones. I avoided family gatherings, ashamed of what I had become. I told myself I’d win it all back someday, but that “someday” never came. Gambling didn’t just take my money; it stole my joy, my time, and my connection to the people I love.
But this year, things are different. I made the decision to stop gambling, and while it wasn’t easy, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I won’t sugarcoat it, it takes time. The debts don’t vanish overnight. In my case, it took months of chipping away at those crippling loans and payments. There were times when progress felt painfully slow. But the moment I decided to climb out of that pit, I’d already won.
Stopping gambling is like flipping a switch: the financial recovery begins the instant you stop pouring money into losses. Each month, I watched my debt shrink bit by bit, and for the first time in years, I felt a sense of control and hope. Now, I’ve managed to save £300. £300 that was not borrowed or gambled away. Money I can finally use to buy gifts for my family and friends this Christmas.
For me, that’s a miracle. This is the first Christmas in years where I don’t feel the crushing weight of financial despair. I no longer have to dread logging into my bank account or answering phone calls from creditors. The difference between this year and the ones before is simple: I stopped gambling.
Looking back, I mourn the person I used to be, the lonely, desperate me who thought gambling was the only way out of my problems. If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this: gambling is a lie. It doesn’t solve your problems; it creates them. The only real win is when you stop.
If you’re struggling this Christmas, please know that it does get better. Don’t let gambling rob you of another Christmas, another year, or another moment. It’s not easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but it’s possible. And it’s worth it.
This Christmas, I feel like I’ve finally got my life back. You can, too.
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