Hello,
I’ve recently turned 19 years old and work full time in an okay paying job. I have been working for about 8 months and don’t have anything to show for it, as when I get paid, I gamble gamble gamble.. until next payday arrives. This time I took it a bit too far, I’ve ran myself into the ground and left myself short for the month.
I need to stop or else I’ll keep going and chasing and before I know it I’ll be mid 20’s still with nothing to show.
I’ve got a couple of holidays coming up that I also need to pay for. So this is my recovery where I will be posting daily to keep track of my progress in stopping gambling altogether. If I’m able to not gamble for a year then I will deem this as successful.
DAY 1 - Anyone else hate working when you know you’re just working back the money that you’ve lost before. Awful. But anyway, not going to crack. Good days to come.
Day 1 - Posting this as I'm now home from work. I feel like keeping a diary will be a good coping mechanism to stop gambling and hopefully motivate me to never look back. The real test will come later this month when payday arrives. As for the minute I just have to see myself through to the end of the month with what I have left. I really don't have the urge to gamble as I know the money I have lost is never coming back to me.
Frustrating as I keep thinking, If only I started this 3 or 4 months ago I would have a nice amount of money in my savings, be able to start driving, pay off holiday money and more. But oh well, that starts now, I'll look back in 4 months and be so pleased that I had started this.
Woke up feeling low, checked how I’m gonna get on for the month and it’s not good. I can get by until payday but just about. Once payday arrives the real challenge will start. But I need to get there first. Today will be another gamble free day.
Day 2 - forgot to post yesterday, another gf day. Going to spend as little as possible coming up to the end of the month to make it easier for myself. Don’t have the urge to gamble, but this diary is a good reminder of what happens when if I fall back into it.
Day 3 - Been a good day. Work was quite good and of course it's friday so cant complain. Bought myself something nice to remind myself of what my money can buy when I dont throw it down the drain. Feels good. But only day 3. Catch up soon.
It's nice to be able to treat yourself sometimes, a feeling you forget after being a compulsive gambler for so long! Have you got some blocks in place to stop you from doing it all again this pay day? I know you want to beat this and might feel strong enough now but it only takes a moment of madness to loose it all again and be right back where you started. Good luck!!
The fun has stopped wrote: It's nice to be able to treat yourself sometimes, a feeling you forget after being a compulsive gambler for so long! Have you got some blocks in place to stop you from doing it all again this pay day? I know you want to beat this and might feel strong enough now but it only takes a moment of madness to loose it all again and be right back where you started. Good luck!!
Hello! I have blocked myself from all gambling accounts that I have online. Of course there is still an opportunity for me to visit the bookies in person. Especially when there are betting shops, near work, on the way to work, next to the gym that I go to. So it is impossible for me to avoid. But I beleive I am strong enough to not enter again. And am doing great so far. Thanks for your comment!
Day 5 - Didn't have time to post yesterday but today is day 5 of no gambling. Lots of football on over the weekend and it felt strange not to constantly check live scores for the games as I'd usually have a bet on. Must be the first weekend I havent had a bet in months! It's a tiny milestone, but these tiny milestones will equat to a big one in the end. Almost been a week! Hope everyone had a good weekend!
Day 7 - A whole week gone already! Another tiny milestone, not going to lie slight urge to bet has crept in as there is some football on tonight, but I’m not going to give in. My mind thinks, you’ve managed to save £5 today, so just use that on a bet, you’ll be fine. But I can’t think like this or I’ll fall back into the trap. As soon as I thought of it I came on here to remind myself not to do it. Here’s to another week gamble free.
Unknown - you have your whole life ahead of you there.
The ease of gambling sucks us all in, thinking that we do not have to work hard in order to get by but the reality is that life is hard, making money is harder and we con ourselves into thinking gambling is the answer. While you have your sanity and future please try your hardest to forgot about what you have done for this month at least and rebuild from there on in.
Good luck mate 🙂
samba79 wrote:
Unknown - you have your whole life ahead of you there.
The ease of gambling sucks us all in, thinking that we do not have to work hard in order to get by but the reality is that life is hard, making money is harder and we con ourselves into thinking gambling is the answer. While you have your sanity and future please try your hardest to forgot about what you have done for this month at least and rebuild from there on in.
Good luck mate 🙂
Hello,
I am trying and so far succeeding and hope this will be the end of it. I know it will become a big problem if it isn't stopped early. Thanks a lot for your comment.
Day 9 - The grind continues, I’ve been looking at how I’m going to use my money the next few weeks and also when I get paid. I don’t think I should try and plan out too far ahead of myself because it gets overwhelming. 2 weeks today until payday. Also almost two digits gamble free
Day 12 - Two more weeks till payday. Going strong so far. Looking forward to getting paid and paying off holiday and other bits. Almost at 2 weeks.
Ineffable wrote:
Well done on getting to the bakers dozen!
And welcom to recovery.
It’s a tough one to crack so keep strong and keep good blockers in place. Summer is just around the corner so don’t ruin it with gambling - make it a summer to remember for the right reasons instead of looking back on a shameful summer of gambling and losses! Keep up the good work.
Hello,
Thanks for your comment, yes summer is closing in and I don’t want to spend it dwelling over losses. I’m looking forward to it, few holidays and a driving test coming up in the next few months. Cant waste my money gambling. Thanks
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