13 days GF.
I have been gambling for around 25 years. My Dad and Step Dad are big gamblers so I have been around gambling for as long as I can remember.
It all started with visiting the bookies on a Saturday afternoon with my Dad. I used to place a £10 football accumulator, over the years I have worked my way upto placing £2k bets to this day on football/sports markets.
Over the years the gambling has progressively got worse with me being £26k in debt and I have just entered a DMP. Through gambling I have very little which is embarrassing.
I have bans in place to ensure that I can't bet online.
Yesterday was really hard but I am determined to beat gambling.
Dave
Well done on getting to 13 days gamble free I’ve only started tonight lost £1,000 earlier on slots at bingo hall then on the way out asked them to self exclude me x
17 days GF
Feeling positive and generally alot calmer/not as anxious due to not gambling. Still think about the money lost and the hole which I am in but must move forward.
Thought this week would be really tough due to Cheltenham but I have coped okay.
Occassionally still checking prices and watching football games on betting websites, not sure if this is a good or bad thing.
Busy weekend ahead which is good as weekends were always my biggest days from a gambling perspective.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Thanks Dave.
20 days GF.
Feels alot longer to be fair. Last week was Cheltenham, would normally gamble quite a bit. Felt good being able to watch some of the races with no pressure attached.
Had a really busy weekend with the family which was good. This needs to happen most weekends as I was notorious for sitting in front of that TV/laptop drinking beer and gambling to all hours !!!
Still feel down at times however have to be thankful for what I have which is a loving family and a roof over my head.
On we go?
Thanks for your words Dave and your insight.
27 days GF.
Had another super busy weekend which took my mind firmly away from sport/gambling.
The days are definitely getting easier even though I am struggling financially and feel stressed about it.
I should be in a much better position in a couple months time and by that time will be closing in on 100 days GF.
Dave
28 days GF.
Made it to 4 weeks without a bet. Very happy with that. Knew it would be hard but with everyday what passes, it definitely gets easier with the urge to gamble subsiding.
During the first week still found myself visiting gambling websites, checking prices, picking out games etc however that has now stopped which is good.
Still find myself dwelling on the past thinking about the money lost, still gets me down especially when receiving calls from companies chasing money even though a DMP is in place.
When gambling I had zero respect for money however now I have no money and on a shoestring budget, I definitely have respect for money. I am learning how to manage money all over again.
Also spending more time with the kids, wife and still feeling alot calmer and not as anxious from when I was gambling.
I still haven't told my wife about everything what has happened but I will one day.
Dave
Relate to so many things what you are saying mate. Good to get a perspective from others
33 days GF.
Not going to lie, found today tough. If I didn't have measures in place, could of easy gambled.
Couple of reasons why I would of gambled today -
1) Been talking with the wife about holidays. As my wife doesn't know about my problem, kind of difficult to talk about big expenses when struggling with money.
I would of gambled to try and win some money to put towards the expense.
2) Boredom. Didn't do much today so find myself watching games, predicting what I would of bet on etc.
Absolutely fine rest of the week as my days are so busy however Saturdays are hard.
Over a month GF so should be happy with progress.
Dave
Thanks Dave - When the time is right, I will sit my wife down and fully explain. Just don't feel quite there yet.
40 days GF today.
Good busy week at work which means that I didn't think about gambling at all.
Very happy with the 40 day mark.
Still skint and counting down the days until payday. Didn't help on Thursday when the engine management light came on in the car. Cost me £60 which depletes my funds even more.
Have a good weekend everyone.
44 days GF.
Life is good. No thoughts about gambling and feeling very positive.
Set back this week as a couple of things went wrong which ended up costing me £300. Money which I simply don't have so had to borrow money to cover the expenses.
Why do things seem to go wrong when you don't have any money ?
Bank Holiday weekend. Looking forward to a chilled out weekend spending some quality time with the Mrs and kids.
Have a good one everyone.
Dave
49 days GF, big 50 end of today.
Good bank holiday weekend, pretty quiet but nice spending some quality time with the family, sun was shining also.
Still no thoughts about gambling, even managed to watch some football and the snooker without the urge to gamble.
Have a good week everyone.
49 days GF, big 50 end of today.
Good bank holiday weekend, pretty quiet but nice spending some quality time with the family, sun was shining also.
Still no thoughts about gambling, even managed to watch some football and the snooker without the urge to gamble.
Have a good week everyone.
53 days GF
Busy week at work means that I had no thoughts about gambling.
Slightly different kettle of fish today. Already had a look at the football fixtures for today and could easily place a little bet.
Busy day with the family shopping so I won't be having a bet.
Payday on Monday, long overdue.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Dave
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