Hi everyone
I joined this site recently in complete despair after losing another 3k. I made all the right noises (I'm never going back, I'm done blar blar blar).
Was gamble free for about 2 weeks, within which time I felt totally cured. I felt I could return to gambling and control it, it was almost like I'd never had a problem.
Well guess what folkes! I stated looking and 'predicting' the outcome of some football games and decided to deposit. 2 days layer I seemed to have lost my mystic meg capability and was a furthur 4k down.
The usual feelings returned, I've actually got a cold from the stress I think.
This is my last chance. I feel one more bet will finish me off. I've got 23k debt and 13k in the bank. The gambling was done on credit cards. 10k of it is a loan so no need to worry about that.
I can't believe I did it again! I think I properly understand this addiction though now. Basically I can't gamble as it just brings the feeling back when I lose just £100. It's chase chase chase.
Today will be day 4 gamble free. My debts stopped growing 4 days ago.
I'm getting out of this mess once and for all.
Day 5 with no gambling. Still got the sinking feeling of realising how much money I've lost but it's slowly getting better.
Pay day next Friday.
Hi Smithy_2015,
Thanks for your post, I’m glad that you find the recovery diary section of the forum useful, and vital to your recovery. At least, you’re now aware that you’ve got to stop gambling completely, as trying to control your gambling doesn’t work for you.
Perhaps it’s time to think about what you can do differently to stop you from gambling (think about the 2 weeks that you abstained) or, some other activities that you can use to replace your gambling time so you don’t feel bored, and thus relapse as a result.
In your post, you didn’t say the type of gambling that you involve in; in case you go to the bookies/ casinos, then it would be beneficial for you to go for Self Exclusion from all these places that you gamble from.
Maybe you’d like to try and install one of the following internet blocking software after reading about all of them first, if you do gamble online as well. They are:- Gamblock, Betfilter, and Net Nanny. They will block you from accessing gambling sites.
The important thing is that you don’t give up trying; perseverance must be your watch word. Just be patient with yourself, and take it one step at a time. Like you said, “it’s slowly getting better”.
Also, do keep checking in here for more advice, support and encouragement. You were able to manage without for 2 good weeks; that proves to you it’s doable, and that you have to try harder, and not to take anything for granted.
Pls. do contact our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers in case you require further help and support.
I wish you the best in your effort to overcome your gambling problem. Thanks again for your post, and pls. keep posting.
Kind regards,
Beatrice
Spend the 13k in the bank paying off the credit cards as you will probs lose that to gambling as well. i had 20k in the bank and lost aim having slip ups on the way would rather have no money as then i cant gamble it away of it and now have 12k in loans and 5k on credit cards. ive tryed to stop so many times and failed. just pay of as much as you can as if you blow the money in the bank you will be like me with no money at all and its a long road back to zero. im on a 2 year plan. good luck.
So true what Smithy an Carlsimon say. Pay off your debts with money in bank as no money no betting. An at least those credit cards won't be bringing you down. I did pay my debts off, my credit was so rubbish anyways I just asked for settlement figures an shaved off loads of the debts but know I won't ever get credit again but doesn't worry me as deal with cash an so much better off. Stay focused an like me remind yourself every day that life is better without gambling an all those horrible gutty sinking feelings in your stomach. Life does get better. Mary
Not sure what happened here so apologies as only able to press save button once? lol. Forum site is a bit temperamental at times so hope they can delete some of these repeats.? mary
Thanks for the messages guys.
Day 6 and I've had no urge to gamble at all. I now fully know what it's doing to me and want to be as far away as I can from it!
All my gambling was done from my phone on sports betting. I'd bet £1000 per time.
The problem is sometimes I'd win big then just want one more, lose a little and chase like there was no tomorrow until it was all gone.
Never been interested in bookies or casino. I truly believe if it wasn't for the phone I'd never have got hooked.
My credit card is interest free. I'm feeling power from keeping the money in the bank, I have no interest in losing it! I get paid next week and will pay off 3k then. It's my next goal.
I'll keep posting.
Just can't believe how much I've deposited over the years, Nearly 100k! Not lost that much as withdraw as well but still down about 36k in total.
I think once I've got to next week and proved I can start to pay off I'll feel better.
Honestly no urge at all, just the feeling if what an idiot I am!
Take care guys.
Had a great night out tonight. First time in 5 days where I've not thought about the mess I've made. Normally I'd come home get the phone out and have a bet. Not interested tonight. Just focused on fixing things.
Still not gambled. Feeling great!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
