Another update to say I am still gamble free ... I can’t believe how much better life is without the constant stress. I did Christmas, without having to use a credit card or overdraft as I had money in my current account. My debt is coming down at about £500 a month ...so a few more years of that to do, but, my debts become less every month and that’s the important thing.
Gamstop was such a game changer, can’t recommend it enough
Wow! I have just read your story and have to say congratulations! I've been 'working on' debts for years whilst piling more debt up as I need to borrow to cover losses. You have to start somewhere I guess and reading stories like this give me optimism. I've joined GamStop today and hopefully I'll soon be posting like you are today 🙂
Keep up the great work Horall!
Nice work, great story.
Still gamble free ... I put it mostly down to Gamstop, even if I wanted to go back to playing slots I wouldn’t be able to, so it’s just a non-issue in my life. I don’t have to wrestle with the choice, as there is no choice. My debts are getting lower every month ... I reckon it will take around 36 months to clear everything, which is annoying (as I could be spending that money on great things), but, great to see light at the end if the tunnel.
As a person I am different , less stressed, I sleep much better, I don’t panic whenever I need to buy anything ... and i’ve not had an overdraft for 7 months, which feels great.
Horall wrote:
Still gamble free ... I put it mostly down to Gamstop, even if I wanted to go back to playing slots I wouldn’t be able to, so it’s just a non-issue in my life. I don’t have to wrestle with the choice, as there is no choice. My debts are getting lower every month ... I reckon it will take around 36 months to clear everything, which is annoying (as I could be spending that money on great things), but, great to see light at the end if the tunnel.
As a person I am different , less stressed, I sleep much better, I don’t panic whenever I need to buy anything ... and i’ve not had an overdraft for 7 months, which feels great.
Fantastic story and I am sooo glad I’ve followed your footsteps and finally signed up to Gamstop, I’m just hoping when I get paid this month and have funds (which I’ve decided to remove, as an additional deterant), I know I’ll have something in place that won’t let me get online even if I wanted to .... well done you, I hope to be counting as many days as you ... Kaz xxx
Another month done... life is so much better without the slots. I look back and can’t quite believe how much of my time, money, and peace of mind I gave to the slot sites. Still paying my debt off - it was £23k and now down to £18k. I am paying about £500 a month off, so it will take time, but, I don’t push myself too much, I still have money to live, and for nice things. It’s been a really hard lesson to learn. Gamstop saved my life, I thought I would never get out of the grip of it, but here am I happy & GF
Dear Horall,
well done, slowly but surely approach the year mark. And well done for paying off debt but also understanding the importance of having money for nice things, to treat yourself, to enjoy yourself. Such a crucial part of the recovery process.
Keep going and keep posting.
All the very best,
Eva
Forum Admin
Hi horall, you can do this, I know it’s horrible with looking at the debt you’ve caused, I was in a similar situation when I started my diary, kept racking up expenses on my credit card from September last year, I felt like I wanted to have it all, the fancy lifestyle and the gambling as well. Just didn’t happen, it will never happen to have both. I quit gambling had a couple of grand debt, nothing compared to yours but still the same horrible feeling considering family asking you why you haven’t got money and making lies up. I decided I couldn’t bare the feeling anymore so decided to give up and advise some family and friends that I’ve stopped gambling. My finances are getting better 5 months on, debt free and starting to build my savings again it can be done but just got to be patient. I feel gambling turns you in to someone impatient as the money comes quick when we win but goes quicker when we lose. I read that you were on a good salary. Why waste all that on gambling? Why take on all the stress you are in your day to day role when you could earn less money doing something less stressful without the gambling? Treat yourself to something nice so it shows that the money you’re on can provide a decent lifestyle and something enjoyable as when you come across stressful situations you can think that the money has brought you happiness. Stay strong mate!
Thanks,
Ash
Just a check in ... still GF, and nearly at the 12 month mark . My debt continues to decrease every month, still some way off clearing it, but all feels much more in control.
i really credit Gamstop with my success, I don’t even think about it anymore, as I know I can’t log on.
i went to Blackpool recently, and though I went in an arcade (as the kids wanted to play a racing game) I didn’t spend a penny on a machine.
The best thing though is just the peace of mind I now have, I can sleep at night without constantly worrying. I don’t spend my days working out where to get money from.
22nd July is my 1 year anniversary. We are actually out for a meal for a relatives birthday.. but i’ll Be having my own secret celebration, to toast my success
Quick check in .. another 6 months GF...
when i think back to Christmas 2 years ago, when I felt like stepping in front of the train, when I was so stressed, and so sad, and so lost, when I finally told my husband - it feel like a different person.
still paying off debt .. 2 years left to go. Goodness knows where I would have been had I not stopped. I am so grateful that Gamstop came along, as stopped me in my tracks. I used to have no time for anything other than the slots ... life is just so much better
Dear @Horall,
Thank you for sharing this, it is so good to hear that your recovery is going well and how different things are for you from 2 years ago. Your story is a reminder of what can be achieved through opening up and putting blocks in place. Wishing you the best for the rest of this year and onto the next.
Best,
Laurie
Forum Admin
Just a check in .. still GF ... still paying off my debts. I don’t miss my old life one bit, reflecting back on those “lost years” I can’t believe how much of my time it took up - not just playing, but thinking about playing, and worrying about money. I sleep much easier these days. Part of my wants to become some sort of an activist, as these companies need to be better controlled.
I still find all the adverts uncomfortable, I think I feel embarrassed to think I fell for their lies.
Just a quick check in ... still GF, which is great... still paying off my debt, not so great. I reckon another 2 years and I’ll be debt free. I could pay more off every month, but I like to keep a nice lifestyle.
I still find all the gambling adverts troublesome - especially all the ones at the moment, talking about setting limits and responsible gambling. The only sort of responsible gambling is no gambling.
Gamstop .. what a life saver that’s turned out to be
Hey Horall
your story is to touching and very alike with most people with this horrible addiction.
your will to beat this is something that anyone in there early stage of quitting can take a lot of hope from.
i am on my own journey and I personally feel like yourself [cant believe I wasted so much time and money on this] but I feel so strong and happy to be walking away. And I do agree Gamstop and Gamblock is my life savour. I put gambling ahead of my partner and my baby girl but not any more. For me it’s so incredible that I can just buy with in my limit and not worry about it.
am on 98 days GF and I had so many failed attempts but this time feels so different. But seeing your story gives me even more hope and comfort that it is possible to walk away
I hope your keeping well and thank you for sharing your story
lee
Just a check in. I am still GF, my debt is well under 50% of what it was, I haven’t dipped into my overdraft for well over 12 months, I head towards Christmas without worrying about money, and it all feels good
I can’t say that the slots never cross my mind, they do ... but with the aid of Gamstop, it’s not an option.
Mentally I feel so much better - no secrets, no preoccupation, no hiding .. it it just a lot more peaceful.
Thinking back to Christmas 3 years ago, when I felt lost, out if control, and suicidal , it seemed impossible to ever feel like I do now - but it is possible. I would say that to anyone struggling.
The only thing that still gets me as the gambling adverts on TV ... they don’t tempt me to gamble, just makes me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
