Well today is day 2 of being gambling free, I’m not getting excited as I have been here many times before but the plan is to get to 90 days. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about the consequences of this dreadful compulsion. Why can’t I be satisfied and happy with what I have instead of wanting more. A few years ago I managed to get myself totally debt free and have money to live a happy and content life but now I’m back with massive debts, we’ve had to remortgage the house and I’ve lost count of how much I owe my family. I realise now I put too much pressure on myself to be gamble free forever, I never took the baby steps but took huge strides thinking I could overcome this without it being too much of a problem, I was arrogant to think I would be gamble free forever without knowing I have a dreadful problem, I would use an analogy of losing weight, sudden massive weight loss never works but small losses of 1-2 pounds a week is more beneficial and healthier and can result in successful and consistent weight loss. Now I have to set smaller goals instead of saying I will never gamble again. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it but all systems are back in place, Gamstop, Gamban, Banks informed, cards blocked, no money available as all in OH account now, plans in place to keep me occupied etc..
Thoughts and prayers to everyone struggling with this madness. JFT.
Alice x
I’ve just started this journey too (day 4 and first proper time quitting with gamstop, self exclusion etc). If you don’t mind me asking, if all the blocks are in place, how do you fall off the wagon again and again? I’m just being curious in case my question comes across as rude. Just trying to understand as it’s my first time. Also wishing you good good good luck this time around. Hope you really do make it to day 90 with baby steps.
I've just started this journey yesterday! So far I'm feeling really great! I already feel richer for not gambling my money away!
@sidebetter I'd like to know the answer to this too. The only thing in my case is self-exclusion.....
Thank you all for reading and replying. One of the saddest and awful traits of a compulsive gambler is deceit. If we want to gamble we will try every trick in the book to do it, my mindset is nothing and nobody will stop me. Despite all the blocks and safety nets there is always a way. Thinking I was safe enrolling with Gamstop, I initially only registered for a short period so when that period ended I was able to access sites, then when I did the register for 5 years I found the desire to gamble was overwhelming and read it was easy to access non Gamstop sites, these are rogue and unregulated sites, to my detriment I started to register with these sites and in doing so put myself massively at risk from both a financial and security point. I found my personal bank account was hacked on more than one occasion despite setting up a standing order to pay my wages into my OH’s account. Before my wages were transferred I had set up another bank account without my OH knowing and transferred money to that claiming to have been paid less than I had. I also ordered a new phone which he was unaware of and was able to use that without blocks. There were other deceitful actions too but now for safety purposes my wages are paid directly into my OH’s account, my OH has full access to my phone contract company so he can see what devices we use, he has full control of the internet too and has set parental times on it so it can only be used when he is here. We went to our local casino and banned myself by registering with the SENSE exclusion programme, all devices are registered with GAMBAN and I am returning to GA. This is going to be tough but my mindset is different now, in all honesty the full desire to stop gambling was never 100% apparent, it is now, the shock I had last week may be the wake up call I needed to turn a corner once and for all. I know it has been such a destructive journey but now I genuinely and sincerely want my life back and desperately want peace of mind. I feel my grubby secret is out there and am ashamed and humiliated that people other than my family now know I have a problem.
Today is day 3 Just for today I have not and will not gamble.
Thank you all for reading.
Alice x
I was actually the same few years ago i just couldnt control myself no matter what i did these last few years i have improved alot i was going on and off GA the gambling urgues will always be their since my last relapse which was over 6 weeks ago i am doing much better then i was doing after over 2 years relapse i believed u could be cured for life how wrong was i, i have accepted gambling temptation will always be their which i didnt believe before i am going to stick with Ga and other stuff to keep away from it i have accepted i am the problem i feel i am also in much better place as i im beggining to enjoy things not related to gambling and involving myself with my local community gives me far more joy
Tazman, I totally identify with you, it sounds as if you are in a better and more determined frame of mind so I will travel this journey with you and hope we can find peace of mind.
Well today is Day 9 being gamble free, thankfully no urges or desire despite the ever increasing emails with their fake promises of massive wins from more rogue sites, apparently today is my lucky day, mad thing is they are right in a way because today or yesterday or the 7 days before I have not gambled.
Stay safe everyone and Just for today “I will not “gamble!
Alice x
Tazman, I totally identify with you, it sounds as if you are in a better and more determined frame of mind so I will travel this journey with you and hope we can find peace of mind.
Well today is Day 9 being gamble free, thankfully no urges or desire despite the ever increasing emails with their fake promises of massive wins from more rogue sites, apparently today is my lucky day, mad thing is they are right in a way because today or yesterday or the 7 days before I have not gambled.
Stay safe everyone and Just for today “I will not “gamble!
Alice x
Well done on your achievement - keep going One Day At A Time!
Adverts and Emails can be very triggering, therefore, please find below Blocking Adverts, as follows:
Blocking gambling adverts
How to Reduce Gambling Adverts Online
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/news-and-blog/blog/how-to-reduce-gambling-adverts-online/?cn-reloaded=1
https://www.begambleaware.org/limiting-gambling-ads-online
All the best
Amanda
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