Hello everyone
I started working in a bookies when I was 18 and by the age of 21 I was hooked to gambling. Literally blowing as much of my wages as I could and racking up eventually £27,000 of debts with absolutely nothing to show for it. It eventually came to head when I gambled in the shop I worked in which is obviously a big no-no and ultimately I was sacked. So I was jobless, with huge debts and had to take long hard look at myself. I vowed to stop gambling and sort myself out. I went to Gamcare counselling and self exlcuded myself from all my local bookies. I then managed to find a girlfriend and managed to stop gambling. Debts like £27,000 dont disappear overnight though and now I am down to just under £10,000 which I know is a huge achievement but it still gets to me at times when I realise how much I blew on absolutely nothing. I am now 33 and got married earlier this year to an amazing woman, but for some reason, over the last year or so, sadly I have started to slip back into the gambling ways. I keep telling myself that its just a tenner here or there, but when I look at it, its adding up to around £100 a month. All money which could be going towards paying my debt off and improving my quality of life with my amazing wife. And I keeo telling myself that just one big win will sort me out, but I know that of course this will never come and even if it does, I would just blow it again anyway. At the moment, I havnt started to blow huge amounts so I need to make it stop right now. I dont feel comfortable talking to my wife or friends as explaining how it makes you feel is basically impossible. So I have turned to gamcare once again. To people who will know exactly what I am saying and who can hopefully help me. I am going to try and post something on here every day as I am determined this illness is not going to ruin my life again. I know better and Im older and wiser now, so this stops here. Day 1, Gambling free. Wish me luck.
Welcome ziggy..
All the very best for your recovery
One step at a time you'll get there
Deano
Thanks Deano. Feeling quite low tonight thinking about everything but more disgusted with myself again rather than wanting to gamble. Must update here every day, it will give me a new focus!
Bestest of wishes Ziggy as you said on my thread we can and will do it. Life is much more and we deserve a good life you know. Stay strong
Thanks Lulu - I know I am going to do it this time. Felt really low last night but woke up in a great mood today, and at work already! Day 2 starts here...........
Well its day 3! First mini test passed yesterday, I was alone in the vicitiny of a betting shop and had a 'spare' £10 but the £10 stayed in my pocket and I went nowhere near the bookies! First major challenge coming up on Thursday, Payday! Feeling strong though. Onwards and upwards.
Hey Ziggy, congratulations on day 3, you'll soon see your days add up! How great is it to have money in your pocket and for it to stay there! 🙂 I'm getting back to my old self, and not the selfish person I became and I can tell you what a joy it is! I've been sleeping a lot better and I want to get up in the morning and smash the day ahead, instead of spending the whole day with my head down and foggy head (horrible) so keep at it, it's so worth it. Have a great day! Take Care. Cx
Hey Charley thanks for that! Glad to hear things are going well! Tonight has been tough, in the house alone and there's footy on which I would normally have a bet on. Not tonight though! I can't wait to start counting the days instead and every time I feel like I want to bet strongly I'm going to come on here and post instead. We are all in the same boat here and it's good to know no1 is judging you! So day 3 almost done and I reckon £15 better off already! I am in charge and nobody else.
Morning Everyone! Day 4 and I survived the first two tests over the last couple of days. Looking at things in a whole different light now, always got to look at the bigger picture and apply logic to everything which I am determined to do! Payday tomorrow so have to make sure I am very disciplined. Going to start a money diary and write down everything I spend and see if this helps me.
Well it's day 5 and it's payday which is normally a major downfall for me! However I've woken feeling good and strong and all I can see at the moment is the bigger picture so I'm hoping it continues like that. Not spending £100 straight out of my pay is a major achievement for me and I will see the rewards later in the month when I'm not scrabbling around waiting for the next payday! One thing that has struck me though is the amount of gambling adverts everywhere you look! Surely something needs to be done about them! Remember we are all in this together and with hard work we can all make it.
Hi Ziggy well done to you :)) yes I agree totally about the amount of adverts it's sick preying on ppl so much. Also the amount of game shows way too many :(( anyway best wishes x
Day 7 folks and no gambling at all! Still obviously get the urges but I am still working on the bigger picture scenario every time I get an urge and that seems to be working for me so far. Saturday's normally the most tempting day with all the football that's on but made plans to go out and see family today so that should keep my mind occupied!hope everyone is doing well!
Hi Ziggy , just stopped off to congratulate you on your first week which is never easy , just keep taking one day at a time and the day's wil soon rack up :)) .
Wishing you a good weekend
Alan
Hi Alan thanks for that 🙂
Big test yesterday when the gambling part of my brain was trying to tell me that a few quid in a bandit in a pub would be fine and wouldn't count but I managed to stay strong and the money stayed in my pocket. Genuinely close though but I count that as a victory and it's the small victories in my head that will start to add up. I'm generally a person who deals in logic and my brain tells me it's logical for me never to gamble again which is what I'm gonna do! Day 8 now and I'm proud of myself! Hope everyone is having a good weekend, take care
Hi Half life. I limit the amount of cash available to me already but maybe you are right in terms of explaining everything to my wife. Thanks for your advice, I will give it some serious thought.
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