No More Gambling

Should have mentioned I almost only gamble on FOBT playing roulette or blackjack. At times I don't even care if I am winning or losing I just get obsessed with playing them. Sometimes hours can go by without food or drink and once I have ran out of money I just feel guilty/stupid but at the time I feel nothing.

I am actually fortunate to be in the financial postion that I am in. I inherited around £40k (currently at 35k) but if I keep going the way I am I feel I may end up with nothing. Get paid next week and going to start saving around £800 per month and hoping to get backto 40k by Xmas.

Welcome Dmr,

It might not seem like it now but you have an opportunity to stop this now and go on to have a great future.

It's great you have told your brother and him taking your cards shows me he's willing to support you. I would suggest handing over the 35k to your brother completely by that i mean putting into in his name even just for the sort term. As a compulsive gambler we can be quite manipulative and will do all we can to get hands on our gambling tokens.

Another block is to self excluded from the bookies. I would suggest taking your brother with to to your regular shops and self exclude in person. You might feel embarrassed when you first walk in but I can assure you that you will feel relieved and proud when you walk out.

For the many other shops in the surrounding area you can call the SE phone line 0800 294 2060 ....M-f 9-5.

Keep reading other diaries and update your own it does help.

KTF

Hi KTF

Yeah am at a point now I just really need to stop. I am going to self exclude when am off this week as I don't play online always in store. Getting back into the gym to keep my mind off it and going to work some overtime to keep busy. Will keep my diary up to date to track my progress.

Thanks

Day off today but picked up a back shift overtime. Going to go to the gym soon to kill some time.Also don't need to carry money today so no temptation there.

Dmr

Hi dmr,
As always Oldham makes some great points there...I wouldn't let yourself think that will power alone will make you stop. You have no debt and money in the bank and there is loads of people out there who would love to be in that position...don't end up like so many of us on here, where you have blown everything and you are in a much worse place.
To start with try and put as many things in place that will make gambling as difficult as possible....that will hopefully give you a bit of time to come to your senses. Hand your finances over to someone else and SE are great places to start.
Again I think it was Oldham that goes on about that first bet....if you can stop yourself from placing it then there is no chance of bet 2, bet 3 etc.
Good luck.
Damo

Hi Damo, I agree with what your saying. As bad a situation I am in it could be a lot worse that's why am going to stop before it can get worse. I have gotten pictures taken and will visit my local shops tomorrow to SE and will call the number provided too. Wrote out a plan today with how much I need to set aside each month to recover so I can focus on a target.

Dmr

Day off today. No urges so far. Phoned self exclude this morning and banned myself for 36 shops in total. Feel a lot better now. Going to the gym to work shoulders then home to chill. Getting my new contract phone delivered today (iPhone 6s) looking forward to that.

Day 2

Keep going mate. We're a similar age and your story is similar to mine - wanting to save money and self excluding etc.

Good luck with your recovery, will keep on eye on your diary.

Hi Perry, yeah am still staying at home at the moment and looking to move out next year so saving for that. Also knowing that when you apply for a mortgage the bank wants 3 to 6 months bank statements is worrying! Day 3 passed had a long day at work then round to see gf. 6 Am start again tomorrow then out for dinner at night so will be kept busy. Honestly had no desire to gamble really think I can do it this time!

Dmr

Hi dmr,

Yeah I know the feeling - my and my gf were planning on moving out next year but we have now decided to go travelling instead. All this means is save save save and I know that no gambling will help that. Nothing worse than looking at your bank statement and seeing nothing but gambling deposits. Have just checked mine and it's a much better sight without any, still depressing seeing the minus figure in front of balance though lol.

Keeping busy always helps.

Congrats on the recovery so far - keep it up!

Perry

Morning Dmr, Pleased to see you have SE its not fool proof but worth doing even just to show yourself you are taking this serious, It does give you an uplifting feeling and if nothing else will buy you some thinking time if and when them urges do come. a couple of good steps made in your first week, have you considered counselling or GA?

Hi Oldhamktf, I had thought about SE for a while but doing it made my problem feel real. Not thought about that, I really feel I can do it on my own. Got paid today and withdrew enough to get me till next Friday then gave card back to my brother.
Day 5 today and had no urges so far. Going to the gym tonight and working at 6am tomorrow so early night.

Hi Perry, think of the awesome time you can have away with the money being wasted! I was never one for online gambling always the FOBT's so it's just the huge withdrawals coming out with nothing to show at the end of the day. The strange thing is I am actually a good saver and rarely buy myself expensive things but had no problem spending £500+ on a machine! Madness. Almost another day over and still going strong. Thanks for the support guys.

Dmr

Day 7 of no gambling. No thoughts of gambling so far, had a good day out today and treated myself to some new clothes which rarely happened before. Looking forward to the week ahead.

Dmr