Hi , I have excluded myself so many times from online betting apps , casinos and the rest. However as you all probably know there is always a way sign up and have a bet . I’m 56 years old and have held down and succeeded in many challenging roles over my career. But stopping gambling is the biggest challenge yet. I have managed a number of times to stop for 2/3 months but then there is a long list of trigger points , drink, boredom , socialising and so on. I am no psychologist but have spent many an hour trying to figure out why I do it . Like I said I do like a challenge, maybe it’s beating the bookies ! I have bet £100s a week on some occasions , some times won sometimes lost but looking back the highs when winning have diminished to a level of being non plus, but the losses have triggered emotions that I know are damaging my quality of life . I get angry (with myself) , become withdrawn , my moods are flat ….. but I sit in my own dark world plotting my next bet . The times that I have stopped are blissful i reconnect with the world and people around me , so why do I start again !!!! I am hoping that talking to people can unearth some answers and I hope I can eventually support others too . Some observations I have is that when I watch sport without a bet on i am more emotionally attached with the event and not the result . The risk of an emotional low when losing is mitigated .
So , I have not had a bet for 9 days and have not struggled but I have been here before . Prior to my last bet I won xxx which probably took me around watching 50 hours of sport (ignoring my partner). Therefore I earned xx an hour , surely my life is worth more than xx an hour
Dear Rob,
Thanks for coming to our forum. Well done on your gamble free days ! You have some understanding of the steps to take when addressing your gambling. However, if you want to explore more about your gambling behaviours and potentially learn more about yourself, then consider a chat with us on our 24/7 helpline where we can go through your options.
Best Wishes
Fiona
Forum Admin
Thanks for your support it is genuinely appreciated. I am planning to call up for a chat as I believe on the surface I have it under control , but past experience shows it doesn’t take much t for the surface to crumble 🙁 just having this forum is a different level for me in my fight … Thankyou
Hi yes I can relate to this Ive “quit a few times. 6 weeks. , 8 weeks. And then nearly 2 yrs from March 2021 to February last year. What made me start again? I was ignorant thought stupidly id got over the problem I’ll just bet now and again now. Gone 2 years. I think it’s self sabatage I enjoy slightly a sick kick. Very heavy gambling in the last 6 month. Won very little to nothing. Trying again to quit. Gone about 3 days. I hope you recover I’ve never known an addiction like it. I’ve quit smoking when I was 28 I’m 46 now I’d never start again I’ve had the odd crafty one over the years and I suppose I thought I could do the same with gambling. However very different ball game. Take one day at a time
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