Never seem to learn.

used to ask myself that same question too

the answer i used to keep close was i wanted to stop being the type of person gambling had turned me into. In order words a better person

Its possible but its not easy for an addict

Keep accepting all the help you can

tri

Thanks Triangle a better, normal person? think that`s beyond me, I need some light at the end of the tunnel, but I haven`t even got a tunnel at the moment. Still wallowing in self pity but that will get me nowhere, tomorrow I need to replace the money I`ve lost, choices are more gambling, pay day loans or cap in hand to the family. Life just keeps getting better.

I'm on 12 days free from a bet, so I'm no position to give advice.

But stop the feeling sorry for yourself messages, u can get yourself out of this mess

What you should be doing is taking time out from this situation and draw up a plan of what you can do to rectify this situation.. Whether that means taking out a loan or selling some stuff to ensure that nobody should miss out on a holiday because of your moment of madness. From previous experience i think if you don't construct a plan of action you may think its possible to gamble your way out of trouble... IM talking from personal experience!

Hi. I am probably in no position to be handing out advice as I'm only a couple of weeks into recovery myself, but I think you're in an even worse position than me - which I didn't think was possible as I've lost an obscene amount of money over the last decade - but I only ever lost online so putting blocks in place is possible. You, however, have the option to throw cash away...which is what each trip to the bookies is, of course. So, I am going to suggest that you get support - can you hand finances over to a partner/family member/friend? How about visiting your GP? Have you talked to the support line on here?

I don't know how old you are, but I'm a grandmother and this addiction is no respecter of age, education, love for family & friends, or good intentions and I think you need some help to put it in your past where it belongs. It is like an abusive relationship, we know it's hurting us again and again but we don't have the strength to defy or leave it until one day we finally think 'no more'.

I wish you strength and a better future. You CAN do this - grab all the help you can to stop the self-destruction. xxx

Hi you can beat this illness but you have to 're train your mind and how you think! Fill in your free time with family, go walking, keep fit and join a gym! I have done similar things to fill my time and I am on day 132 without a bet! I l know I have a long way to go but the feeling of having no pressure and chasing losses is great and this will keep you going.

All the very best...

Cheers Guys thanks for all the good advice & for taking the time to post. Gambling has got me in this sorry mess so I`m not going to makes things worse & try & gamble my way out. Managed to borrow some money to cover recent losses, I`ll worry about paying it back when I return from my break. More to the point need to try & break this continual cycle of destruction, 30 years of this destructive behaviour means there is no quick fix but I can only try my best again. Intend popping into my local bookies on my way to work to make sure I can`t gamble in there anymore.

im not saying ask for your money back but ? a big letter of complaint to head office of that bookies where you were self excluded from would if not get your money back would defenitly make sure they dont let you gamble again , and if no time a phone call to head office and ask for it to be logged and request a letter in writing as they have not followed through with there policy also ask for the name of the person you speak to , if nothing else it will make them tighten up and maybe save some other poor sole from loosing more money after self excluding . Might sound mad but its our right to be told no when we ask for something we have agreed previously not to be given . All the best enjoy your holls , i think you should come clean to your wife and hand over all the finances , as if this is your last shot then tell her that will surely give you the extra determination to see it through , all the best simon

Thanks Simon, went into the bookies yesterday & spoke to the manager. She was pretty apologetic about me gambling in there, but due to high turnover of staff etc etc etc, I pointed out it wouldn`t take long for new staff to familiarise themselves with excluded gamblers as they should have photos on file which she couldn`t argue with. Anyway not blaming them, as I had my gambling goggles on I would just have found somewhere else. Need to restrict my access to all money again which I`ll sort out when I get back. Can`t gamble where I`m going so should be okay.

Day 14 Sounds good but just spent 10 days in the wilds of Scotland with no Wi Fi & 50 miles to the nearest bookie. Maybe I should retrain as a shepherd & relocate up there. Problem solved. Anyway no urges to gamble, give me 500 in my hand & I`d put it back down on the table. Weird how one day I`m in control & the next I can be engulfed in a gambling nightmare. Need to keep my guard up. Handed over my bank cards so feeling pretty safe at the moment.

Day 17 Still trying to do my best, need to solve the problem of why I can easily abstain for 3 or 4 weeks & then capitulate at the slightest urge. Keeping away from the first bet is the easy answer but I know from past experience that is easier said than done. I`m 48 years old & hopefully I`ve reached the point where I can start making the right decisions. Fed up with the shabby house, shabby car & shabby clothes, life isn`t meant to be like this.