First day to end this addiction

Well I'm now on day 2and woke up feeling this is a new beginning and I am determined to be free of the hold gambling has over me! Hope everyone else is having a positive day 🙂

Hello Sharon and welcome

How are you getting on so far ?

Maybe you would like to share your story with us? What practical measures have you taken or is there any advice you would like ? Hope you're enjoying your weekend

Deano

Dean0 wrote:

Hello Sharon and welcome Thanks Dean0 I think I'm ok, have just had enough of the emotional rollercoaster and awful feelings of guilt. Main measure I have taj en which sounds n rental! ) is I'm basically keeping no money on my debit card so in the evenings I have literally no money to gamble with:)

How are you getting on so far ?

Maybe you would like to share your story with us? What practical measures have you taken or is there any advice you would like ? Hope you're enjoying your weekend

Deano

I must say I really struggled over the weekend and have started going to bed earlier to avoil temptation. The desperate wanting of a new beginning is carrying me through but I feel like the feelings of guilt will never leave me 🙁

Hi Sharon, welcome to the forum 🙂

Those feelings of guilt aren't just going to disappear any more than your addiction is I'm afraid. It's very hard for me to comment when I know so little about your struggle but what I will say is, this is very difficult to fight alone. You may want to ring the helpline & take advantage of the counselling support offered on the site or maybe consider getting to GA, people there know your pain & can help support you as you start to process your guilt.

Gambling doesn't have to dominate our every waking moment when we accept help. Keep fighting - ODAAT

Thanks OF A AT, to be honest I'm used to doing everything on my own but accept that I need help and support on this one. I'very always felt like the odd one out in most situations and I think I found comfort in online gambling. I can pinpoint exactly when I started when a friend mentioned she had won on a particular site. I honestly wish I had never gone there, but hey it's all very well say that now! Sure I will definitely look at support and help and each dawn is a new day 🙂

Ps sorry to get your name wrong...silly phone!

So day 7 is here, a whole week! I have times whrn the temptation to gamble has been so strong, so on my way home work I have emptied my bank account(I'm an online gambler)so I have nothing to gamble with in the evening. But it so great to actually have some money left at the end of the week. Hope everyone is hamging in there

Morning Sharron, thank you for posting in my diary, the support from people means a lot. Your on day 9? Over a week of being gamble free is amazing, have you got blocks in place so that you cannot gamble? Our addiction knows no bounds and will try and convince you back, make sure you close all the doors so that in moments of weakness (and there will be those) you cannot gamble. Do not just self exclude, do more. Email any companies you have accounts with and tell them you have a gambling problem, tell them too close all accounts you have that they own as they tend too have lots each. Do not do cool off periods or only a few months either, it ate away at me knowing there was a count down to when something could unlock and I focused on that instead of focusing on giving up forever. I have relapsed twice so know from experience what leaving doors open can do. It's easy too do, but hard too actually shut those doors without the gambler inside you willing you too leave a little spark of hope of gambling again one day, telling yourself that maybe in a few months you will be better and will be able too control yourself with a deposit limit or some other self told lie, you can't and that really is the bottom line, we cannot control ourselves. Once we start our head even justifys our behaviour, we think it's one of our pleasures, just a little won't hurt...but the real you knows, and that person needs too come through, and while you are that person at this very minute do it, block all avenues, get some software too block sites, call the helpline too. You can do this but it's going too take work, and support from others is so helpful. I hope your having a gamble free weekend 🙂 enjoy!

Sorry AER1983 I have only just seen this! Thanks for your post, I'm probably not as open as some on here but I think it is because I'm so used to doing everything on my own (I have been a single parent since my 16 yr old was born). But reading other people's stories help so much to know your not an island and help is there. I have shut down all my accounts and empty the cash out of my bank every night after work too just in case...as like you say although the temptation seems dormant you never know when it's about to rise again 🙁 Hope you're having a good week, take care and spa soon S

Hi Sharon. Thanks for your posts on my diary. I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner, but to be honest my head's been a bit all over the place and I've been a bit too absorbed in my own stuff. Feel like I've come out the other side now 🙂

How are things with you? Early days I know, but it's good that you've started a diary and are fighting the urges. Withdrawing your money is a good idea. You might find it useful to add some other blocks too as desperation can have us finding cunning ways to gamble even when we think we won't. You don't have to open up on here if you don't want to. It's your diary to use however you want. Personally, I have found that the more I've let my feelings out onto the page the more it's helped. Often just getting things out of my head has helped me to think more clearly. There's the online chat and helpline if you feel like giving them a go and also free counselling available too (which I'd highly recommend). All these things can seem a bit too much at first, but further down the line you might find them helpful.

Keep going. Small steps, one day at a time. LB x

Great to hear from you LB, don't apologize!! Getting to the source of your feelings, reasons why were at rhis point I guess is all oart of the process.
Been doing ok and avoiding the tablet and laptop except for work stuff. Yep will defo put blocks in place although clearing my bank account does seem to work at the moment. But like you I find checking in here is a huge help. Hope you're having a good weekend....onwards and upwards. Take care and heres to being GF :)x

Hi Sharon, I also empty my bank account when any money goes in and lock it in a tin along with bank cards. It is definitely working for me also

Hi Katiecoo, yep seems a bit back to basics but I'm just going with little steps. Also after every 7 days I allow myself a small treat. For me it is all about willpower and self control. Hope you're having a top GF werkend and enjoying the sunshine S 🙂