I’m Clifford

Hi @clifford2021

Thank you for joining the GamCare forum and telling us your story. You might find it useful to call MOSES to self exclude from the betting shops in your area. You can find out more and get their number here: https://self-exclusion.co.uk/

If you give us a call on our helpline 0808 8020 133 we have more practical tools to help you stop, plus we can point you towards free ongoing support to help you really make long term changes to your mindset. We're here for you 24/7.

We hope you keep posting and keep updating us, plus post on other's threads - the more you interact, the more support you can receive back from other forum users. Or you may prefer to read and get inspiration that way, which is fine.

Thanks for joining the forum and take care,

Deirdre
Forum Admin

Thank you Deidre 

well it’s been a week, small steps and all that but really pleased and feeling a lot better. Every time I post I thought I’d talk about something I hate about gambling, number 1- Having a reputation, ‘gambling cliff’ or similar, my daughter is young but I dread the time someone called me that in front of her. I’ve always respected people who ask me about it or challenge me but it happens rarely. 
Merry Christmas all

Had a good look at my debts today mostly on credit cards. I can afford to pay more than minimum payment each month but it’s so sickening seeing what I racked up. I’d usually think about going in to the bookies and play some fortune spins to try and win some ‘easy money’ I know this is stupid. I’m proud of my short time so far without gambling but know it’s a long ride. Out with my mate later and will be surrounded by fruit machines something I must get used to. I feel confident and my mate knows my problem which helps. 
have a great day everyone 

Good night out with my mate, no gambling or thoughts of gambling. In to the weekend and im isolating due to covid but only a few days to go. Keeping busy with Netflix and Amazon prime and the footy. Hope everyone is doing ok.

Looking forward to chat at 8 tonight, not used it much but spoken to some good people so far and every bit of advise is helpful. Certainly speaking with those who have abstained for so long is admirable and I can only imagine being away from gambling for so long. Equally I can’t think too far ahead. 

Thanks for the post on my diary Clifford  and well done for your gamble free days.

You've been on a similar long recovery like myself.

I've found closing all possible avenues to having a bet extremely helpful, leaving little doors open just in case doesn't work.

It just ain't worth it, there's only 1 winner and it ain't us.

Life's too short, keep up the good work.

Thanks Trigger, it hit home with me when I read your post. Reading your latest comment about wishing you could trade on cricket, I’ve thought about what it would be like to bet normally so many times but I just know I have to stop completely. When 2023 comes around make sure u ban yourself again 

sadly I ended up cooking so missed the 8pm chat but will try tomorrow at 1. 

Hi Clifford

Just read your diary! Sounds like you’ve made a real positive start to becoming gamble free. You’ve done it once so you can definitely do it again! Seems like you are filling your time well now your not gambling which will definitely help. All the best and I’ll make sure to keep checking in on your diary. 

Hi all things are good for me, not a lot to report. Been to the gym and avoiding booze as doing dry January. On that front things are good. Finding myself thinking about my debt a lot even though it’s manageable and I know the 27 days I’ve done is progress. Hope everyone is doing ok 

45 days so far hope everyone doing ok 

Hi Clifford, well done on your progress so far. Reading your diary it seems you have your head around your gambling and taking all the right steps to stay gamble free. Keeping busy with other things really helps and as the days progress hopefully the urges will get less. Life is so much better without this in our lives.

Regarding your credit card debt, if it's manageable and you can see the debt going down don't worry about it, just accept it and be pleased you are paying it off, it will eventually get done. I had to set up a repayment plan for mine with Stepchange so going to take a long time to pay off but it definitely took the pressure off.

All the best