Scared

I'm so proud of you for your honesty. I feel the same as yourself. This year has been a roller coaster yet again and the gambling is taking away luxuries of me.

We will get through this. 

I’m the same I’ve gambled for years being a single mum having no help it’s been a way / hope of getting by and winning big to pay off my debts. I’ve never won big I’m not 50 and still gambling and still in huge debt even tho I have a good job. I haven’t even got carpets in my house as i can’t afford them but I find money for gambling. Well overdraft. Last night I put £300 on a site won £600 but kept going trying to get back up to £600 so I could withdraw chasing it and lost the lot. I could have bought a carpet with that but no I keep wasting money. Another site self excluded but I keep finding new sites. 

Hi all,

I find myself in the same boat. I truly managed to stop for good 2 or 3 years and life became less stressful and I found other things to do with my days..talking to others more (dating 😅) found new passion in hiking too.

Yesterday came as not that big shock as I felt urges creeping in ans actually came on here on my diary to vent out...deep down I was still planning a session..purely from playing demo games two days prior Yesterday..seed was planted..

I'm with gamstop which expired good few years ago but somehow they keep me on their records and protected..however...there are so many international sites it's unreal. The issue with them is withdrawals and account verification...we don't think of that when join...well, I certainly don't and just go straight for my buzz..when I start reading a bit about them, I am not even sure how I was even allowed to start playing without verification?..its madness indeed. They're proper rip off sites. 

Elzz...I'm sorry to read you're going through such difficult time. The only way to win is not to start play. It's simple as that..once I start, I cannot stop and guess many are like that, otherwise why would we find ourselves on here. Need to take care of no 1 which is you and your health. You made right choice selling the spare phone. Cold turkey is sometimes the best way we can go about it. Mental health will improve as we won't put as much stress on it worrying about losses..more spare time for you too to find yourself and learn what actually ticks you in life. I never thought I will find outdoors so healing!

Hebby,  it's not easy being a single mum and even if I have no children, I lived most of my life by myself..its hard to juggle bills, payments, groceries...especially in this day and age. I digged myself a hole yesterday and am really shook up about how I will go forwards now..but we always find the way and scrape by. Gambling is a loosing game..we can't win because we can't stop.

Be kind to yourselves..day at a time, reclaim the freedom you all so deserve. 

@elzz I really feel for you, I’m in the same boat myself. Had a huge relapse a week ago, managed 6 days, and then last night ended up gambling again. It’s so hard. But you’re absolutely doing the right thing, the only way to win is to not gamble. You’re not alone, and I wish you all the best to get through this 💪

@2ivlaw1qhx I am in the same boats. I have tried everything to stop. I just can’t do it
every time I say that is my last time I’m gambling

minute my wage is coming, I mean again

Hi  SB28, thank you for sharing your personal experience with our community. In case you were not aware you can block international gambling websites and apps using GamBan blocking software, block can be set up from 6 months to 5 years. You can install it for free on up to 15 devices by using the following link: http://www.gamban.com/gamcare. You could also like to contact your bank to put a gambling block on your card and limit or block cash withdrawals.

Please do get in touch with our helpline if you would like any more support.

Take care, 

Nic

Forum Admin

If only I could start to respect money for what it is

You work so hard to get it

Ir can be life changing when used well

You can help others less well off

Build a future for family 

When did we lose respect for cash was it when it went online and no longer seeing the piles of notes that disappear 

Keep a daily ledger of spending and enter everything and be held accountable to partner and family through weekly checking from ledgers to all accounts 

Along with everything else to help win our lives back and being on here regularly 

There is hope

MH

Welcome to the journey to everyone who’s starting out. 

You should be scared, I was. This is the start of something new in your life. Gamblers rely on the escapism and dopamine rush as part of their life. Many of us for years. To quit you have to break that cycle and let go of the safety net that was gambling. It is a scary time, but you have to look at is as the scary times you feel before you go in a roller coaster or do something adventurous. Harness that fear and prepare for a new way of life. A better one. Day 1 needs to be big push to block everything so getting rid of the phone was the right thing to do. You instantly felt scared as the safety blanket was gone. I bet your mind though if other ways around it? Your habit still wants it.

Now is the time for you to take control back. Face the fear, use it. Take all the advice you can find in here and read as much as you can. You can all beat this, but it needs a big effort, a scary journey, but one that will make you happier than you’ve ever been. I’m nearly 6 months gamble free and I’m still scared. I’m scared that once I’m debt free I’ll be tempted back. I 100% will not go back there, but having that fear is healthy.

Stay strong 💪