My last chance back here after a relapse. Was going so well and then I just don’t know how to stop. I cannot gamble. It’s not fun now it’s serious. I just can’t handle the loses. I am only £1,400 in debt or so. Not a lot of money but just stupid trying to control my gambling. If I don’t stop I am going to lose everything. I have self excluded from from all online websites. No matter how hard I try to control it I can’t. The stress is going to make me ill or lose everything.
We have no control over gambling and our lives become unmanageable due to this addiction. Glad you are taking steps, reaching out, creating blocks. This is smart. tara
Thanks so much for your kind words Tara. Just need to take things day by day. All I know is gambling can’t be a part of my life. I need to beat this demon . Support on this website definitely helps.
Day 1, can’t believe I have ended back here. Never felt so stupid. I feel it’s not the money you lose when your a compulsive gamble. It’s that first bet again. I don’t need to gamble to win money. Me an my wife have more that enough to get by. I think it’s just years of compulsive gambling that’s put me here. Day 1, plan to keep busy an stay gamble free.
Thanks for sharing like you guys I’ve tried to stop repeatedly sillyboy81 love your honestly. Hope you remain strong and beat your addiction, at the moment I’m fighting mine, and will continue to do so, I believe that any relapse I had was a learning experience, (what part of my blocks broke down) the main thing that worked for me was handing over my finances , also not sure if this is legal I ordered a new bank card when it arrived I got my partner to open it and scratch off the three number security code to stop me using it online, I have ended up back on here however every second, min, hour, day and year spent not gambling is an achievement small steps lead to big ones
Thanks for your kind words Dre. I sit back today after my relapse and do things I never had time for, cause I spent so much time gambling. From sneaking to the toilet to watch a bet or place a bet. Constantly not being able to think straight cause I wast thinking about my current bet and if it came in what was my next bet. I know for sure now. There isn’t a place in my life for gambling or I risk losing everything I have ever wanted.
Hi Sillyboy, hope you’re feeling strong right now. What blocks have you put in place to support you? I've self excluded from absolutely everything at the minute...
Hi Lil 30, I have game blocks on my phone and self excluded from every online book maker I have been in connection with. Feeling very positive but a bit down today after replapsing. When chasing your loses I can see how people can lose absolutely everything. There is no end to the lose. Trying to win back your money. Even when winning your loses back and a bit of profit isn’t enough. Sometimes I needed an interest in every horse race to every football game. From getting up in the morning to going to bed. I am so glad I have came to my senses that this is so wrong than keep going. I have found out lately people who I friends with have had the same problems they just never showed it. I am scared to ever bet again now as I know I will always end up back here. Life is to short to be gambling with it.
On day 2, planning on keeping really busy and not let my recent relapse eat away at me. Yes it is eating away at me but now I need to put the past in the past, never forget where I have been but concentrate on a gamble free future. I just feel so stupid that I relapsed. You realise how much time you must have spent gambling once you stop. I have time for so much more in life.
Day 3, had a couple of urges but kept busy and kept telling myself. I am a compulsive gambler and cannot gamble in anyway. Plan for today is to keep busy and stay gamble free.
Well done SB - keep it up... i kept busy, found lots of it was about boredom. When I relapsed it was almost muscle memory; I was online before I even realised what I was doing.
I've just read this and relate completely abut hiding in the toilet to gamble in secret. At the time, how can we realise its such an irresponsible and shameful (hence hiding it from others) and that not be the trigger to take a rain check on it!!!
Lil, you have also hit it for me: From a habit perspective, it is almost like there is something missing if I don't have my phone in my hand checking on football scores on current bets or looking into the next fixtures for the next bet.
I'm just 2 days GF (and determined), but am going to have to keep myself busy to unlearn the default behaviour of opening the phone up and sniffing out the next bet.
How are you getting on with "filling" that now free time?
Sillyboy81 wrote:
Thanks for your kind words Dre. I sit back today after my relapse and do things I never had time for, cause I spent so much time gambling. From sneaking to the toilet to watch a bet or place a bet. Constantly not being able to think straight cause I wast thinking about my current bet and if it came in what was my next bet. I know for sure now. There isn’t a place in my life for gambling or I risk losing everything I have ever wanted.
Hi Black, This site helps immensely, but I also play videogames, so I went back to that somewhat! But, as mentioned before, it’s about being in the room as well. I too suddenly realised just how much time I spent watching betting sites!
Hi everyone I’m new to this site I my life came crashing down from gambling last Monday I’ve been gambling for over 4 years started off just online bingo then went to slots I’ve lost thousands off pounds over the last few years, I even tried to end my life last week because I thought there was know way out of this nightmare I’ve been living with, I also am trying to deal with this addiction lucky for me I have a wonderful husband who is supporting me and lots of great friends, I hit rock bottom but I’m determined to fight this and get my life back I to have blocked everything and even my bank card, I had my first counselling session yesterday which helped me so much and also have a ga meeting on Friday night at this moment I never want to see a gambling site again but I know it’s early days I nearly lost everything and it was not worth it xx
Hi Dizey,
Thank you for your post. I am glad that you have much support around you and that you have started counselling, too. Maybe you would like to start a thread with your own story, the recovery diary section on this Forum is a good place for that. I would also encourage you to contact us on the HelpLine on 0808 80 20 133 or on the NetLine https://www.gamcare.org.uk/frontline-services/netline
Both services are open from 8 am to midnight every day.
Keep posting and keep in mind that you are not alone with this!
Kind wishes
Gabriele
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