Journeys End

Good luck with today, glad you are feeling optimistic and are making the right choices to stop the temptation to gamble.

Let us know how you get on?

I have twins so I can relate to you (14months old now) I used slots as an escape from twin chores as having two babies is, one word that I found to be accurate, RELENTLESS!

If you want some advice from me to you, ask your bank to change your bank card so you get a new 3 digit code at the back of the card, that way you'll not be able to go online and play without changing all the card info in the sites. (Just if you also play online)

Leave the card at home and take, a maximum, of £5 out with you. When you go to the shops or go to draw more cash later on using your bank card, bring your other half along, even just for a walk, or bring the twins out for a walk to give your other half a break for 30mins. Having the twins with you in the pram means you won't be tempted to nip into the bookies to go to the FOBTs. Plus it'll start to tot up brownie points for giving your othe rhalf some time to themselves...even so they can go get a shower or a cuppa, the small things you find hard to do when you have new twins! I've been there lol 😀

If you have any questions or want a "dad of twins" ear to bend, jump into my thread (so it begins, Pauls journey)

It is SO important you nip this in the bud for your babies....You CAN do it!

There is no shame, it is the reality of life. You have a gambling problem.

What you can do is. Cancel your bank card and get a new one. Don't take anymore that a couple of bob out with you when you go out. Tell your partner. The time is now to do that. Next think about getting yourself into GA meeting, or 1:1 counselling. You are gambling for a reason. You may not know it right now, but deep down you are. Your point really sits with me, it would have been easier to ignore this site. I was 49 days GF nearly two weeks ago, and dropped the ball.. I came straight back here and got back on it again.

Keep posting, keep connecting, keep trying.

Julie x

Hi 26022017,

I have also recently just joined and have started my own diary as recommended by someone on here.

I know where you are coming from. My last gamble was Sunday after a full weekend of wasting another wage.

I have had a few urges tonight but managing to resist at the moment. I am working a nightshift so I have a lot of free time to gamble through boredom.

Hopefully you can just take it a day at a time like myself and keep positive! Just try to set yourself goals....I am finding it hard myself just to make it to that 1 week landmark.

Glad to see you've made the changes this time around. It's a step in the right direction.

Regarding the debt, I'd start by contacting all your creditors to try and get on reduced payments, then I'd do a budget for the next 6 months so you can see how things are going to change. Don't expect big changes but it just helps you to get your ahead around the fact you'll be going in the right direction.

Hi 12032017,

Well done for heading back onto the forum, I’ve found it to be immensely helpful in my fight to rid myself of this illness.

Three and a half months ago I was a lost cause. I’d all but given up trying to give up. Gambling had such a firm grip on me, the feeling of hopelessness was all consuming.

Then one day I decided that, finally, I’d had enough. Properly had enough. Not the usual self exclude and be back playing somewhere else a few days later had enough. I knew this was different, and so it has turned out to be.

Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

I won’t pretend it’s been a walk in the park but as long as you are seriously committed to giving up for good ( and it must be for good), you WILL be able to defeat it.

Register with GAMSTOP is a must.

Fully come to terms with what’s happened has happened. You can’t change the past but you can shape your future. If you don’t you will never stop wanting to chase past losses.

You will get low days during your journey, when you will want to gamble. A trick I developed was “ok, I feel rubbish today but imagine how much worse I’d feel if I was throwing away all my money on top of that”. Force yourself to think of those particularly dark days after a big loss. Waking up after an hour’s sleep with all your wages spent.

You absolutely can re-wire your brain! I’ve done it. And life is sooooo much better now. Yes I get the odd urge but nothing I haven’t been able to brush off by reminding myself of how I used to feel and the harm it caused, on so many levels.

Good luck and keep posting.

Hi mate. Read your diary and, believe me, I know how difficult it is arresting this illness.

I have to say I'm reminded of the phrase 'nothing changes if nothing changes ' I found it could not recover using willpower alone. I needed to Register with Gamstop to block online casinos, self exclude from all local bookies, come clean to my partner (addiction thrives on secrecy) and attend ga meetings twice a week. Have you/would you considered these steps?