my recovery

Hi Spencer, recognising that you are a compulsive gambler, and that you need help to stop is a good start. Have you contacted gam care, they can offer support and free counselling to help you address your gambling. Are the blocks on your phone and computer secure....make sure you don't know the passwords. If you do get mum to put passwords in. Hand control of your finances to your mum...have no access to cash or cards...be accountable to your mum. Look up gamblers anonymous, are there any meetings in your area? Come here regularly...there is lots of support. You will always be a compulsive gambler, but others tell me that you can become a non-active gambler long term, but it takes hard work and commitment. There is a chat session at 9pm, go onto forums, chat rooms, click first topic and there is link to the open chat room, won't work till 9pm.

Hi Spencer

Hope you find this site useful and helpful. It's good to try and write in your diary and read others posts too, especially in the early days, when your mind and body are making the adjustments.

Good luck and take care.

Our Lady.

Thanks guys, i like the format of the diary and reading the other posts. I have a busy weekend ahead so my mind is otherwise occupied. Feeling good about the next few days. All the blocks are in place and my mother has control of the accounts. I have no way of doing it online. I have a wedding and weekend away with no phones laptops available.

Thanks for your words and support.

Spencer

Hi Spencer,

Hope you're okay today.

Being busy is such a good way around it. When I'm at work I hardly ever think of gambling. It's always at night when I'm in bed on my phone or on the laptop. One thing I did was writing down when I was most likely to gamble and then I changed those situations, so I banned having the phone and laptop in bed etc.

I'm glad you've put in all the blocks, I did too myself and cutting up my card was scary but I feel so much better now. My advice is not to worry about any future payments or anything, just worry about that when or if it crops up.

Best of luck

I too hurt my mum and family and it's awful when I realised that I had to admit that I really had a problem and it made me realise I had to do something about it. First I rang gamcare and they have been brilliant I also attended ga meetings with real people with real experience so they too have been good.my finances are now been monitored and are much better I am working to rebuild the family trust believe me it's hard but worth it I know there is along way to go and requires real solid commitment on my part and that means I can't ever gamble again.I read and reply to the forum too with is helpful the best thing is my wellbeing is improving every day and thing more clearly so I don't need to gamble as escaping but remind myself it's one day at a time and not to get comfortable but learn to enjoy the normal things in life keep battling and it can get better good luck.

Hi guys really apreciate your input. I have been gamble free since i joined now. There has been urges but thats through habit. My evenings now consist of sports that i love and spending time with my daughter or freinds. I feel not alone now i have joined Gamcare and i cant express how kind your words have been and the encouragement is amazing. I just need to keep going now and change my whole life routine around. I hate how much time i have lost doing gambling instead of the things i love! I will post tomorrow. Current mood is positive. Next hill to climb is £1500 in payday loans that i have to pay at the end of the month. Then its overdraft then credit card. I am going to make a 10 month plan to get it paid off.

Cheers everyone and have a great day.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the positivity. I was on anti depressants which made me feel numb for the last 2 years, no emotion and all sorts. I have been off them a week and i feel normal again. I feel emotion and all sorts have come back in my life. If theres any one out there on these tablets then stay clear as they also give you insomnia, anxiety and a whole list of problems. I feel back to my normal self. The energy it releases just lets you coast through life! You get that from doing excersise. Big changes can get good results. Im so happy im off them!