Hi, I won't elaborate on the damage online sports gambling has caused... about 15 years worth. Managed to quit for 2 hours once a few years back. So here goes to trying to rid myself of this insidious demon. Did I recently have a large loss? Yes, but only one of hundreds.Nothing a decent 2 day sleep can't fix before getting back at at. However, now is as good a time as ever to endeavour to stop that. I have cash at hand and have two options. I can chase previous losses (knowing I will never recover them) - hell there's probbly at least 5 tennis games and basketball games live right now. Or I can transfer my will to gamble into resolve to quit. So, here I go.... the aim is to reach at least 2 weeks. Day 1 is today.
Hello Dreamer. Day 1 of your diary and presumably the first day of your gamble free life.I suspect you have given enough to the bookies and believe you would benefit from stopping gambling.
In your post you wrote, I can chase previous losses (knowing I will never recover them) - Or I can transfer my will to gamble into resolve to quit. So here I go.
Being an "all or nothing" person can be a great attribute, although it can be disastrous as is the case with compulsive gamblers.
I am impressed by your positive intention of using this character trait to rid your self of gambling. You can be a totally committed, compulsive gambler in recovery. That is exactly what is required to free ourselves from this insidious addiction.
Wishing you well on your gamble free adventure...stephen
Thank you for your comments Stephen! Day 2 today, going well.
Hi Ineffable, vision for future and determination are string at the moment so hopefully that leads to some success. I have tried blockers in the past like K9 but they are not effective for me. There are betting shops all around, one less than 100m from where I live, and I just got there instead. When I worked, I wouldn't use online betting at work and would just go down the road to the betting shop. Also, the casino, which is 20 minutes from me, has sports betting available 24hrs. So I realised I need to make a focused effort to stop. One strategy that is assisting at the moment is a list I have cretaed of bad beats. The three pointer at the buzzer that lost my bet, the 95th minute injury time goal, the comeback from the other player in a tiebreaker when my player was up 6-1. I also have a dog now, so when I have thought about gambling last couple of days, I immediately take him out for a walk to change my focus. I have noticed that when I have an urge to gamble... initially it is strong... but after walking with my dog for 20 minutes it subsides and I call friends on the phone to talk about random things and then the urge has passed. Day 3 now, going well.
Hey dreamer, welcome to the site and I wish you all the best for the future. You say you are determined to quit, but how determined is that exactly? I only ask because you say there is a betting shop 100m down the road, if you are that determined why not go to all betting shops in your area and explain your addiction, provide them with a photo and ask to be excluded. Same with any or all online sites you use, contact them and explain the addiction is ruining you, they have a duty of care and will exlude you for life from the sites if asked. I did all of the above, if temptation is still there then set up a blocker but only allow someone else to set the password up so that you don't have access.
Great to hear that you are filling your time, I had free counselling through this site and found that boredom was one of my main triggers so now I try to do anything possible to keep busy, housework, home improvements, I started back in the gym. Obviously depending on what you enjoy there are a million options. I started like you a long time ago, put every single barrier in place and am proud to say I'm over 500 days gamble free and my debt has reduced dramatically. It only goes to show how much money we can give to these companies when we stop, to say I am seriously reducing my debt yet at the same time increasing my families lifestyle says a lot...if only I could have seen it the first time I quit and my debt would be gone now.
Anyway stay positive, stay busy and stay focused. Success lies entirely with you and your mind set, it sounds like you want it...I hope it works out.
Thank you for your message Danny. It's great to hear you are over the 500 day mark - that is an extraordinary achievement! Heaing a bit of your story is also motivating.. the more I read people's posts on here, the more reinforcement I have towards quiting. Day 4 today and doing well. I'll get a fortnightly pay later today, and will have money I don't need for essentials, so the next few days will be a real test... particularly the weekend when sports are on.
Day 5 going well.
Day 8 and got through 1 week which I feel good about. I think I will post in weekly increments now.
Hey Dreamer, hope all is well. You said you would be posting in weekly installments but it's been a while. I hope you haven't fallen back into the trap.
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