I actually stopped gambling for 7 months this year.
This is after 5 years of non stop gambling, so this was the longest break I had. I managed to save money, improve my credit score and even have a holiday with my boyfriend. I had some hard times but never broke the ban due to gamban and gamstop.
Unfortunately, I found a way to uninstall gamban (which angers me as its changed everything). Between October and today, I've been gambling everyday again.
I lost all savings (first time I had savings) and just as my credit file began to look better, I've taken out 2 very large payday loans that I can't pay back, I'm in my unarranged overdraft, i owe 2 banks money, i owe people money, my credit file damaged again for another 6 years, and any future chance of mortgage or renting is even more ruined.
I'm in an even worse position than I was before I stopped gambling. I kept saying I would get this one payout then I will stop. But even when I won I ended up losing it again. I won big aswell my life literally could have changed if I stopped then. But wow this relapse was BAD!
So 7 months of hard work has been ruined in 2 and a half months. But tonight... after I sat on the bathroom floor playing roulette with my last £50 before Xmas...i lost so I blacklisted myself from the casinos as I want to start the new year on a positive. Christmas is ruined and im upset that all my hard work went to waste this year. Now have to wait a whole other 1-2 years to start seeing a difference.
BUT NOW I know how good it felt to not gamble. Life was so much better. I wish I stopped sooner but this time next year i would be saying "wish I stopped last year" if I carry on...so here it goes.
Its going to be a slow process again but I'm going to try.
I hope the new year encourages anyone going through the same.. El x
You managed 7 months previously without gambling which is amazing, so you can certainly do it. You have to remember this relapse as a reminder of how horrible gambling is and the pain and stress it causes. I have just completed day 1 of my journey of being gamble free and wish you all the best in yours.
I managed a long break. When i relapsed i did hard and im 10 days gamble free now.
Im going to use this last relapse as my reason to never bet again.
Good luck you have proved you can do it now its stopping for good and maintaining it.
Ahh that sounds like a rough relapse, especially after all that hard work and savings but don’t become discouraged, take one day at a time. There’s a gambling story by Justyn Rees Larcombe on YouTube that you might find very helpful, I’ve watched it a few times and it is very inspiring! hang in there, money comes and goes, I’ve lost a lot of money over the last couple years, enough to get myself a nice car or my first very own flat but try not to look at it from that point of view, just accept and enjoy life as it is, and the best things will come your way x
regards,
Dane
@gluhve Thank you for this
Going to check out Justyn Rees Larcombe tonight!
Thanks for the comments. It's been a hard day keep thinking about how to pay back the loans. Usually I have "ill win the money back" in my head.... now realistically more payment plans ahead.
@elzy98 well done on your journey so far. Each day is a new day. Justvtake it day by day.
Concentrate on one debt at a time. Reach out to your creditors and explain whatbyour going through. Ask for a hold on the account or even come to an agreement forna reduced amount.
This is what ive done and its slowly getting there.
@elzy92 As someone whom has paid back 10 grands worth of gambling related debt in the past , i can advise you don't "think about paying the debt" you just pay it
You will likely have 2-3 years of uphill battle ahead of you and there will be some very dark days but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Do not go back to it
It's awful. Relapsing often leaves you in a worse place as it's like you're gambling more because you have gone so long without. Seven months is absolutely amazing. Imagine doing it for seven years and how incredibly awesome your life would be.
Hang in there brother. I am on day two of being gamble free after devastating relapse too. I had stop for more than 3 years before I sank in back. I am going to employ the method I used to stop before which is to accept the losses, work on repaying debts and take one day at time. This time round I have also decided to let my wife handle my money. That way I will be seeing the value of money as it is and not how I see it when gambling. We shall overcome
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