Starting again

Stewpot.
Fella those words "I don't have enough train fare to get to work next week" could have been torn from any week in my active gambling life. Abstinence is I believe all too often forced upon the gambling addict, the fuel that feeds addiction unavailable, leaving us to look for redemption,sadly mine came too often through casting lie after lie to gain more fuel, to loan money to straighten my affairs and money if gained all to often went the same way as the rest.my advice tell your partner,be honest with them, when the truth is aired it leaves addiction nowhere to turn. You have overcome drinking addiction use what you learnt there to do the same with your gambling. Did you follow the twelve steps because again I believe honesty is at the heart of their effectiveness. Recovery is there ahead of you, you have to want to embrace it.
I hope you take the gift it truly is.
Abstain and maintain.
Duncs stepping forward never back.

I asked the bank why my old card is still live when i asked for it to replaced as i said it wasnt working (my partner can keep 3 digit number on new card) and they said it wont be cancelled until after i use the new card. I broke down in tears. I should have justr reported it stolen and saved £2.000.

I must have self excluded myself from 30 online casions but there are hundreds. If i dont have the 3 digit number on back i cant deposit. 99% of my gambling is on line slots and poker.

Hi stewpots..

I myself have gambled for over 30 years starting on bandits chasing a jackpot paid out in tokens (crazy) then progressed chasing ВЈ25 jackpots and then the£500 ones, soon that wasn't enough and I discovered online gambling where you could do it at home 24/7. I'd hate to see laid in front of me the money I have spent gambling. The only way to win at gambling is gamble once, win and never gamble again, you cannot and never will come out a winner unless you stop like I said I've gambled most of my life probably since I was 13 and I'm now 43. I too hit rock bottom and came on here and called someone on the helpline and I created a diary on here. Every day when I could I'd come on and change my diary headline to the number of days free of gambling and write an entry in my diary, watching those days rack up gives you so much determination to stop as you don't want to set those days back to zero, I've now been free from gambling over 150 days which is the longest I have ever done, I still get urges but they are no where near the monster they once were. Believe me when I say this but if I can stop, then anyone can, as I was in deep to a point I thought I'd never stop . Good luck with this and be strong!!

Thanks emonsters congrats on your 150 days

The card change hasnt worked and i have a complaint with the bank. If the old number works i cant stop gambling. I have put K9 on the computer and of course dont know the pass word. That seems to work.The last few weeks week has been hell. 6 years ago i was £85.000 in debt re gambling and that destroyed my credit rating and only now can i get a high APR credit card and loan. I took a £5.000 loan 3 weeks ago to consolidate my business and private over drafts and spent that in 3 weeks. Thank god i was declined for further loans and credit cards. I'm 52 and had this disease for well over 30 years. I can gamble on line from 11am to 6am the next day be slots or poker.

But im taking it seriousy with web protection and more GA and card change. i dont know the 3 numbers on the back (partner helping) and I hope 1 to 1 councelling. Job wise I'm in a contract and was offered a new full time job today. new starts etc.

Good to meet you in chat Stew...you can do this, you have the tools and the determination. Get to your GA meetings regularly, keep close to here, get counselling. Chat was a bit hyper tonight, but it really is a supportive place. Is your debt now £5000? Keep talking to your partner, honesty is so important and will help your recovery...you know all this though. Speak again soon.

K9 doesnt work on mobiles and the bank didnt follow my instructions which cost me £1.500. But sorted with bank now. Feel with K9 on lap top and new card which i dont know 3 digit number its a start and no way can i spend on line

I feel ashamed re going ack to GA and didnt use any of the numbers i was given.

I cant blame the bank for my gambling addiction but clearly i was given bad advice.

I spent the whole £5,000 3yr loan gambling on line last few weeks. However i have not used the large overdraft facility i have. so hopefully i have all the stops in place. My partner is in Japan re work in 6 days time and that was always a trigger ie on my own. now i physically cant deposit on line i feel safer. obvioulsy i still need the extra help

For clarity i stopped gambling 2hrs ago as i physically cant deposit on line . 99.99999% of my gambling has always been on line last 10 years prior to that it was trips to vegas etc

Every single block in place and no gambling since 25/2 . Big issues on the home front and work (not gamble related) . Hope to get through it all

One month one day no issues so far. Feel angry re money i spent in that last binge

4 months totally gamble free and thats all gambling. still need help though

Well done on 4 months. That's awesome!! Xx

How you getting on mate? I read your stories. Hope you're going strong.