Day 1. Merry Christmas. I gambled my last time (here’s hoping) today. I have lost a staggering amount of money with this problem and it’s high time I grew up and sorted this out now. I used everything to gamble. Borrowed money to gamble. Only stopped short of stealing to gamble. I am no criminal. I fear I will end up taking my own life if I don’t make positive improvements soon. So here we go. With all the targeted adverts and daily gambling on telly. Can I be strong and quit for good? I hope I can as I’m a serial addict. I’ve been addicted to drink, drugs, smoking and gambling. I have successfully quit 3 of 4. This is my final battle for a better life. Tune in next week for a status update.
Hi CrashD,
welcome to the Forum and well done for posting so honestly. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and please feel free to make use of our Helpline and Netline as well.
All the best,
Eva
Forum Admin
Hi crash. Hang in there ... i’m In same position and also been wondering how low I could feel .. have been thinking dark thoughts but didn’t want to do anything to spoil Xmas in the mind of my kids. Sure it will feel a bit better as the days go by. Actually stopping short of stealing isn’t something to just dismiss ... you might be in a hole but nothing worse ... I have access to large bank accounts at work but never been tempted .. anyway just wanted to say hi as I know when I posted for the first time I was hoping for some kind of acknowledgment from others and it meant a lot when it came. Plenty of others in the same boat and if you read the diaries plenty of lapses but plenty of successes too ... keeping busy and limiting access to money seems key ... my partner has all my money now ... like being a child again but best place for it
Thanks for the comment RSmith39, I feel ya.
Week 2: lapsed between chrimbo and new year lost about £100. Set my goal as new year approcahed to NO GAMBLING AT ALL, EVER. (as a resolution) today is the end of the 6th, so one week gambling free so far, I've noticed myself eating more to try and distract myself. It's most likely associated with boredom. I lack excitement in daily life and live alone so I'm now looking proactively at joining a club locally to just get out and meeting people and keeping my mind off gambling. I am literally on the edge of the cliff financially, one more lapse and I can no longer pay bills which will lead to a debt management plan no doubt. I am trying my hardest to avoid this and keep paying bills but i'm not sure its wise since the interest I'm paying is quite high. A risky credit score I have, and hope to repair so I can then consolidate my debt into a low interest solution, which is only attainable with a good credit score.
So to summarize, a bumpy start. I am determined to see this through though. It's like I've set sail (if my life were a boat) on a round the world trip, only to find I'm not enjoying myself terribly much on the journey, struggling with the waves and rain. I hope the sun comes out soon and things start sailing comfortably. I know it will, I just have to persevere.
Pip pip.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
