My recovery diary

Day 2 🙂

Day 4 🙂

Bought £2 scratchcard and lost a £5 free bet. Resisted maxing out my paydayloan after a half bottle of whiskey last night. paid off £195 yesterday. nice to wake up without that empty feeling of losing paycheck. I hope i'm not prematurely writing day 4 because i've got 35cl left for tonight 🙂

Slainte

Robbo

lost £1000 tonite. My recovery diary! will update. how i'm gunna pay £485 credit on sporting index will be interesting to find out. Nite x

Hi Robbo!

I've found the only way to stop is to stop completely.

Do not surround yourself with anything associated to gambling. It will only trigger the want to gamble.

A hard part is filling the void that gambling leaves. If you have spare time and you are a web developer there are sites out there that will let you build up your portfolio whilst you improve your skills. It is charity work but employers will accept it on your CV and it is a real boost.

Is there anyone that can help you manage your finances? i.e. keep your cards and pay you an allowance? If not then there are loads of tips on this website. Sending your cards through the post is a good one. Might cost 90p but will save you £££.

Just remember you aren't on your own. There is support out there and you've done the hard part in acknowleging it has become a problem.

Alchohol will not help as it reduces your ability to think straight and it's easier to justify the things we do.

It's hard but it's possible and remember you're not on your own.

DJ.

Hi Robbo

Thanks for joining this forum and sharing your story here. Sounds like you're stuck in a bit of a vicious cycle right now. Why not give us a call on the helpline (0808 8020 133) or chat to us on the Netline if you prefer (link at the top of the page). There's a lot of support we can offer you to help you break the cycle.

Hope you're staying strong today.

Take care

Forum Admin

Hi Robbo, sorry you're having a tough time at the moment. However, I do agree with DJ, if you're wanting to stop its best to stop altogether because we can't stop in general once we start. I now don't buy any scratch cards, lotto tickets or anything that is to do with winning money. Instead, I've changed my outlook, I look forward to earning my money and it's so precious to me now, I don't want to blow it trying to win more because the chances are slim! You lost £1000 this week, that money is now gone and I hope you can stay strong enough to not chase the money lost. Again, earlier in the day you were feeling good that you'd bought just a scratch card etc but look what happened that night, a huge amount of money gone. We aren't here to nag, but support and give advice from our own experiences. Have you thought about calling gam care? It's seems you want to stop, but if I'm truly honest do you want to stop enough? Do you gamble on line? If so, are there blocks in place or is that what you gambled on the other night. I can honestly say blocks are 100% the best thing because when I have felt desperate to gamble (as it will never 100% go away) those blocks have stopped me and I've come on here instead, read stories of those who have hit rock bottom and are now happy with their lives etc Everyone on this site is here for you, but you've got to absolutely 100% want to stop or you'll just stay in the same vicious cycle and you can't be happy with that cycle or you wouldn't of come on here? I hope you get a clear head and are able to work towards the life you want. Take Care. Cx

i'll come back this forum in 3 to 4 weeks. i wont be able to gamble for next 3 weeks even if i wanted to. hopefully work will be offering overtime if i do 4 60hours weeks will get me 2k. it's the most vicious self destructive cycle i try and take positive from it the debt pushes me to work hard on website. I've been stuck in this cycle for a good 10 years. Am still in good spirits. I do want to 100% stop and have read most posts on this forum from the beginning. Thanks again for your wise words and your support. Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Robbo