Need to start all over!

Bit down. I was so hoping not to go on the lottery but I had the urge to when passed the shop.

Bought 3 losing tickets. One number came up so on a pick 2 = nearly £40

I must change my way of thinking. In reality this is 3 more losing tickets = £3 down the drain.

I know I would be feeling better had I not purchased the tickets. One line was my 'usual numbers'. Kept saying to myself I would be gutted if they came up. Well just feeling a bit down that i coul not resist. Not big money although Im recovering from last relapse so every pounds counts. Not forgetting Christmas not too far away...

Maybe I will resist next time. Pity you cannot ban yourself from lottery as I think that would be responsible although I suppose too many terminals. Dread to think how many there are in the country...

Awayout

Just forget about it mate, don't let it get ya down just learn from it. A gambler thinks what if i'd have won, not how many weeks the numbers didn't come in. Save your money, maybe put the money you'd spend on the lottery in a piggy bank so you can see by the time the numbers come in you'll probably have more money in your jar at home!

Keep up the good work!

James

Thanks for support. I know lottery is not half as bad as FOBTS but it is still cash down the drain that can go on debts.

Like millions the lottery is an ingrained habit I have been doing since the start. Many people who are addicted to doing the lottery week in and out probably don't realise it...

It is actually just a dream. People really think playing the lottery is their dream ticket to a better life. I am not so sure.. It seems to have bred a culture 'of money for nothing' and an 'easy ride' type attitude. People who are playing this instead of thinking 'let's get of my a** and work for my rewards'.

Admit to tht lazy gamblers addtitude myself. Beginning to change. Saturday 10 October will be 2 weeks since last FOBT relapse quite a good spate for me. Blocks in place so I should be able to do it!

Awayout

Thanks Ade

Your post made me smile. I am having a tough time at work. I think it's the monotony of the job - been there 5 years now...

The ingrained habit bit is true of the lottery as well as FOBT. Thanks for congratulating me but the 2 weeks will actually Saturday evening as the last time I went on them and lost about 600 was Saturday 6pm. Nearly there though.

Not sure if I am doing that well as not much money to gamble with so little 'opportunity'. Still there are temptations I could have fallen into with a small amount of 'spare' cash this weekend.

I am going to turn the lottery and FOBTs as my main focus. I really m off the ***** - just another tax on the general public!! Why do we need so many lotteries in this UK)?? Wed, Sat lotto and thunderball and daily pay, ***** and Dream number there is no need for that many!

Friends are not undestanding why I am a bit antisocial at the moment but I am recovering from relapse and what with the trouble about performance at work I could easily be depressed.

Mind you the gambling over the last few months may have affected concentration etc. I personally blame short staffing (making me rush)

I hope you manage to kick your ingrained habits Ade

Awayout

Hi Awayout,

I try myself not to play the blame game. I would suggest that gambling and the consequences of your gambling have affected your concentration at work. It did me.. I was just a stress monster at all times.. what with all my growing debts. I was also a complete recluse when in gambling mode.

As for all the lottery products.. well yes exactly.. lots of them.. just like there is lots of bookies, arcades, casino's and a zillion online gambling sites with all advertising to go with it. The habit to get into is learning to ignore it all.

Its not easy. It took me years to get started on recovery. Keep exploring the way forward. You remind me so much of me its uncanny. take care.. S.A 🙂

Just letting you know I wont be buying the Euro Millions. They hype up the few big winners but of cause many many people lose to be able to pay out the top prizes and pay the bills of the company.

In gambling mode it never once crossed my mind that this was a pipe dream and just money down the drain. You always think your luck is always round the corner!

Quite right SA there are numerous forms of gambling until youre out of the hell of being immersed in it you don't quite realise the pull it has had on you for many years.

Yes i think we have similarities . Hopefully in recovery too very soon!!!

Awayout

Things looking up since my last relpase 2 weeks ago today. Must keep my guard up though. I know I have hardly any spare casj which always makes it easier to stay off.

I know that were I to go and find a FOBT with just a few quid and win loads or just lose the money would eventually be eaten by these monsters...

Will be nice to feel I have stayed off for about a fortnight. Money will be recovered slowly.

Saturday has been my worst day for gambling recently. I do feel something deep within me has finally given in regarding roulette and FOBTs in general and some little voice has got stronger and has said 'enough is enough' both in body spirit and mind and that this is all very important to stop this...

Awayout

Hi Awayout

Formulate a plan that gets you through the day. Go round the local town and look at potential Xmas presents. Go swimming, library, wherever takes your fancy. A bus journey somewhere you've always been meaning to go. Get through to tonight and it's another day stronger.

Regards

Steve E

Hi thanks for support Stevey.

I decided to tackle some home issues. My organisation has got in a real mess over the years. Spent whole day tidying just one place I really need to dejunk have so much clutter.

When I get home from work I just dump my stuff over the weeks since last tidy it piles up.

I need to really declutter my life. I found numerous old losing lottery tickets which I binned and before old betting slips...

At least I can see my desk now the junk mail has been binned...

Anyway decided not to shop or look at things I cannot afford and instead concentrated on home space. Had a nice meal at home and played a couple board games which I enjoy..

Life is better without gambling. Cannot change the past and get all that money and wasted time back but I can concentrate on a better life now..

Awayout

Way to go my friend.

Keep positive

Steve E

Just to say no thoughts to go on FOBTs I think they have really stung me enough times.

The £700 loss just over a fortnight ago was a real wake up call that I can never go in bookies safely again..

All the blocks are in place locally as banned from the lot of bookmakers.

Still have been buying the odd lottery and scratchcard ticket. Hope to give it all up.

Life as we know is so short in the scheme of things so I have to give to make a new start with the time I have left.

Felt a little depressed today if I'm honest. Ended up thinking of debts again like I get like when I have no money thinking of last big relpase.

Well over it now I know it doesnt do me any good to dwell on it a day at a time seems to work best for the recovering CG

Have an overdraft review in November. I just pray the bank doesn't call it in as I cant afford to pay.

Well trying to think of other things now watch TV etc

Awayout

Hi Awayout,

Now maybe the time to get back to national debtline or cccs and explore options. I know ive harped on about this before but 2 advantages of using a debt charity to arrange reduced payments and freezing of interest is..

a. you pay less per month and your debts go down a little quicker (takes the pressure off)

b. no more high street credit.. and that is a good barrier if you think about it.

Keep working on weaning yourself off gambling... over time you will have more money to treat yourself on other things. Cheers.. S.A 🙂

I think you are right. I am ashamed of my gambling losses and debt caused by it I am concerned how they will look in someone with 'gambling debt'

Went on a day trip yesterday was having fun then found myself in a bookmakers lost £60.00

You are right about the interest etc paying roughly half my wage on the loan bill and overdraft fees...

Awayout

Hi Awayout

I see you are posting more regular, but you mention you spent £60 in the bookies yesterday, without any kind of remorse or anger. If i had spent £60 in a bookies yesterday it would wreck my head. You have to take this recovery attempt seriously my friend, god i hate to sound patronising, i was the worlds worst gambling addict, and pretty useless at giving advice and tips on how to stop, but i care about you believe it or not, and dont want you to end up in the gutter, because thats where it will take you.

Ive followed your story ever since i joined, give it a real good go mate, throwing money away, that you dont have is crazy. I know its tough, but we have to work on it. Take care mate and never give up.

neil

That was great to hear someone has been following my very painful jorney through binge compulsive gambling.

I am sorry if it did not seem I was showing remorse. £50 is recoverable but still too much to lose for someone who has done what he has done...

Believe me I was almost in tears as well as my mum. My mum was with me on a day outing which was meant to be enjoyable. But ended up with a row as I had spent what was left in my account as well as the £10 I was supposed to spend.

My mum knows about my problem but she knows I would have gone on to have a bet if she didnt give in ! The truth is after 2 weeks and 2 days not betting on roulette I should have said no I will not gamble today but gave in to the Demons.

I was not planning to go for the trip for a bet. But I should have recognised my signs. Not having a lot of money just a bit left using the idea that if I won I could be able to treat us both more. Of course just a deceitful lie and excuse in my head to let me bet...

I was doing fine til we went to the shops and I saw the arcade and betting shops. The one I was still not banned in locally but could go in anywhere there as different county...

I ended up in the same one as I lost the £700 in the big relapse and to be honest the staff and service was cr**. One wanted to test the machine next to me, and then had to reset all the machines. Then there was a system crash 'they couldn;t take any bets'. All the signs from the Gods were saying 'dont come in here for a bet you are doomed'. I really felt unwell doing it but I did the £10 then 2 £20 deposits last little bit of overdraft avaialble.

I was even ID eed the moment I walked in despite being nearly twice the legal age. Should have made out was too young and walked out. Anything but bet.

I hate the roulette and the machines they have taken all my hard earned cash and out me in debt so why do I continue to gamble??

I keep saying never never again, If I cant trust myself out of town I cant travel anyway with money...

Awayout