Hi everyone this is my story so far...
When I was 12 years old my dad would send me to the betting shop after coming in from the club to stand outside and ask people to put his bet on.. it was about 800 meters away and I use to run like the wind to make his bet on time. I remember my mam use to tell him off for doing it but I didt care I use to love doing it for my dad he was and still is my hero. When I turned about 15 I started betting 50p a week on the horse's. After turning 16 my life's ambition was to be a jockey. I sent a letter to channel 4 morning line and to my delight I got a call from John francom, I stil remember my dad's face now:) anyway he told me he would have a word and pull sum strings.. I got in the Newmarket racing school completed my 9 weeks course and then moved to Mary revelry stables were I spent over a year there. The tips I would get wer fantastic & 9 /10 won.I was a hero at home my mam and dad's phone would never stop ringing. Anyway my life didt turn out as planned and I am now a engineer & have been gambling for 16 years now. Iv tryed many times to stop barred myself out the bookies but still always managed to feed my habit . Iv stole money. Borrows 1000s over the years even shop lifted to get money. This is my last chance I no it. Iv got to beat this and I know I can. I'm 36 now and day 5 is wer I stand. I feel good and conferdant at the moment but thinking ahead when my family and friend go the race horses/dogs does this mean I'm not allowed cos I'm really struggling with this part. My one friend who knows how bad I am at this told me last week that I can't go and the reason I'm struggling to come to terms with it is I can't come to terms with being able in my mind that I can never gamble again. The truth is that is very hard pill to swallow. I hope my story hast been to boring and I'd like to thank all the people and gamcar for there help & story's shared.
Can sum 1 please help me out on this I'm just so unsure if I can do these things any more.
Hi, are you putting in any recovery work - counselling, attending GA, putting barriers in place?
Hello, welcome to the forum.
Like many of us here, it sounds as though gambling is something that crept up on you and grew over the years. The motivation for me to stop gambling is to look at what I've missed out on because of the addiction. I would probably have my own home by now, and wouldn't have to spend so much time working to pay off gambling losses.
I suppose the big question you were asking about can you still go with your family and friends depends on whether you can genuinely go to those events and just enjoy it for the sport without gambling? I can still enjoy football and rugby without having a bet on it, but I'm not sure if horse and dog racing is the same? If that is the biggest thing for you, can you go with only a fiver or a tenner to buy you a pint or two while you are there, and then not put any bets on. The challenge with this is that it does mean you will still have temptation right there in front of you. In truth, the answer will depend on the strength of your resolve.
Hope you find the way to defeat this horrible addiction.
Thanks u. I'm currently waiting to get paid so I can get sum passport photos so I can bar myself out all betting shops in the area sounds so bad when I put it in writing when I earn a great wage but havt got a penny to show for it but that's wer I am. I really did enjoy my trips to the race. dogs ect but the truth is I can't bet again I know that deep down and the sooner I come to terms with this the better. Gambling is everyway I look gota make my mam proud before its to late... I promised her I'l stop for fat to long now.
In that case, then you know that you can't let yourself go to those kind of events with friends and family. If that plays such a large part of your social life, maybe you can try to suggest that you and your friends go to other type of events where the urge to gamble won't be such a big influence?
Keep up the work to resist giving in to gambling, and the results for you will only be positive.
Thanks very much for your comments. I think this website is wot I should of been on along time ago. I can't believe how many people r going thou wot I am. I'm up to day 6 now and feel strong just got to keep going and you guys r really helping me. So thank you all.
Hey, well done on day 6...great start! I too wish I'd found this site along time ago, but we've found it now 🙂 Stay strong and focused. Take Care C x
Thanks charley I'm really feeling super strong about beating my demons this time. I was standing outside the fruit machines 2day in the services with ВЈs in my pocket & there wast even a 1% chance I was gona go in. I hope I stay this strong. X
Most people in my life love a gamble and know me as sum 1 who has a bit 2 much of a problem with it. I'm Just wondering how many of them could really go a month without a bet. I'm betting not many & there don't even realize it.
Thanks half-life the only barrier iv put in place it self exclusion of my online account. My plan this week is to get my photos done and go in the bookies 1 last time to self exclusion for as long as possible. I havt planned to see any 1 but after reading your post I'm definitely going to. To be honest and i know this is embarrassing but my wife doest know how much of a problem i have & that is the true reason why I havt looked into any council service's.
Day 10 already I'm so happy I'm really doing this feel very good & strong. My online betting accounts r all closed and self exclusion has been put into all bookies. I'm going to phone to see if I can get sum counseling.. Hope this continues. My luck is finally changing. Dont think many people will believe I'm doing it or will last very long but I'm just have to show them 🙂
Iv just got home from work to an empty house my wife is out taking my little princess dancing & it's the 1st time iv had the feeling back. My bloody mind....... why don't u just watch a few races no need to bet its just wot u like doing but I know wer this ends up. Got to stay strong can't fall already day 10 is almost over
Thanks for your words.
Day 14 2morrow still feel very strong & had money available to me this week & stayed away so very happy. I'l keep going & waiting on appointment for ga now. Only problem is I'm getting good at this hoovering up. She'll think I'm upto sumthing.
Day 15 complete just like to say a thank u to all the people's post there keeping me strong & a big thanks u to my good friend for helping me get on this path was a long time due. can't wait to start my new life as for a long time gambling has took a lot of time away from me. I'm looking forward to giving my wife & kids all the things there deserve & looking forward to no more rushing around and no more lies. I'l keep focused & treat 2morrow like it's my 1st day again. This will not beat me this time round.
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.
