Over 50 and gambling for 35+ years

Thanks Geordie,

its taken me 30 odd years to realise that us addicts come in all shapes and sizes.

Ive always been lucky to have worked and earned reasonable money over the last 25 years. Not that I have much to show for it. I remember going to GA and thinking I could never hit a rock bottom as bad as some of the people there, and maybe I didn't, but there have been some pretty depressing and self destructive times.

I have lost at least 2 really good jobs & wasted 3 years at University as well - but always managed to fall into something else quite quickly.

I don't really want to think about the impact its had on my wife and kids, but I know I'll have to address that at some stage.

Arrogantly, I always saw myself as a 'clever punter'. A typical year would see me staking £400-500k maybe more and losing maybe £20k.

I'd say typically I'd spend at least 40 hours a week or more 'studying' form, planning, thinking about and actually gambling.

Obviously that amount of time is going to hugely impact on anyones work or home life - regardless of the monetary losses.

The majority of my friends gamble and its sometimes difficult being in their company, and maybe I'll have to find new friends in time.

At the moment, I haven't had any urge to gamble over the last 6 weeks - but I'm fully aware that just one bet, win or lose would see me back in the spiral.

I'm just taking things a day at a time.

50 days

Pales into insignificance when compared with 35+ years of compulsive gambling but enjoying the little things like a day out with my wife. Nothing special but I know in the past I’d have avoided it or been distracted by thinking about gambling most of the time.

One day at a time.

Hello KST,

Well done on 50 days. I have to say that days out with loved ones are actually special though. Its that quality time that makes life worthwhile. Keep moving forwards one day at a time =)

Just checking in.

54 days.

Well done KST, 54 days a great achievement

Same as Burko, 54 days is very, very good, be proud and push on forward.

Wilsy

59 days and about to enter what will be the most difficult time of the year.

Normally at this time of year I would have been utterly obsessed with the upcoming racing at Cheltenham.

Almost all of my friends gamble and I know I will be bombarded with emails and text with their bets.

Even when I have not been, the week would have been spent glued to the TV in the afternoon, having spent the morning reading the papers.

On the upside, I have self excluded with every account I have held, and there are probably few online bookmakers that I havent had an account with.

I will be continuing to come to work with a few quid just to get lunch, to help avoid temptation. It will be a mammoth relief if I can get through the next few weeks, not just betting, but avoiding it in conversation.

Beware the ides of March indeed.

59 days.

Congrats on 59 days GF that's brillant and thanks for posting on my diary.

Wilsy

65 days.

Things going slow on the debt front but I can accept that going to take at least 2 years to break the back off.

Keep strong! Your post is inspiring me to stop also despite thousands in debt, I know I am not alone

Freshhope

Gambled again because money was pending and it was 6 days and I caved in! I lost another 2k eveything I have, I feel so suicidal, I'm in bath and only reason I'm staying alive is for my son and husband, 10k in debt and devastated totally killing myself here 🙁

69 days.

Worst week of the year coming up, hard to avoid news about racing - and although I gambled accross the spectrum more or less (no bingo !), racing has always been my worst failing.

Will be on maxiumum guard, not just to avoid betting but avoiding news, TV, radio etc.

Hi KST, congrats on 69 days, remain positive and you'll be fine next week because you aren't interested anymore and are striving for a better life. I used to love my horses I just don't pay any attention to it anymore, it isn't worth teasing myself with the temptation.

Have a safe weekend.

Wilsy

Relapsed.

So P****d off with myself.

Back to Day 1

I relapsed too KST after 153 days, don't be too hard on yourself, it's not easy but yes very annoying when we do relapse, we lose all confidence and concentration and currently I am finding it hard to get back on track.