Hello All,
I wanted to come back to this forum and create myself a diary. I haven't posted in about a year and so much has changed, good and bad. My story in a nutshell is very similar to most. I got involved in gambling at 18 and over numerous years got myself into about ..... of debt which was then put into a debt management plan. Eventually broke down to family, who paid it off and now I pay them back monthly. I have lost friends, family and got myself into such a terrible situation, all at the ripe age of now, 23 years old.
The last day that I gambled was 05/02/2023. Back on the bandwagon. I will continue to focus on my hobbies, on my work, try and save some money each month, whilst paying back my debt.
I found comfort before, reading other journals. Maybe someone can find comfort here. It can get better, I have done it before, I can do it again. I am going to try my best to be active here for at least until I have paid my debts off. Consistency is key. I hope everyone has a good day, and that you find success on your journey.
L9LC
welcome back..... well done ..... here are my tips ive learnt on here:
Number 1:
GET BLOCKS IN PLACE
Gamstop for online
Moses for local bookies
And Sense for uk casinos
It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.
Number 2:
When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping. Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively),
I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.
I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.
Number 3:
Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:
The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!
U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)
You can not take your cards out (more difficult)
You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.
There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)
Number 4:
With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish. It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019…..
MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….
Hello L9,
That is very encouraging and you certainly have the desire to stop. Adam has provided extremely useful advice which I have taken on board, we can’t do this by will power alone which is why so many of us return to gambling, we need all the help, advice and encouraging support to keep us staying strong. Best wishes with your recovery now, just to add I joined the forum chat last night, it may be worth joining,the support and encouragement was overwhelming.
Daffodil x
Day 3 - No urges to gamble, been pretty busy lately with work etc so it's taken my mind away from it thankfully. Plenty of useful advice above which has been taken into consideration and some of the advice is already in use!
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