Hello everyone,
I’ve had a little time going though the forums to get a sense on how everyone else is getting on, and can relate to so much.
To give a bit of background, I started gambling at the age of 13/14 on fruit machines in the local arcade (£5 jackpots) I used to help out cleaning the machines and would get paid a few pounds and put them straight in. Looking back this was my downfall and I was addicted. I remember being so exited going there at the weekends with my pocket money, or when I started working with my wages. I would pretty much lose it all.
Then I progressed to o line gambling when I was 18. This was a whole different level from gambling for me – unlimited winnings compared to what I was used too. I was working and had some control as I had to pay bills but would put a large amount of surplus income online. As I got older and as I worked in town I would go to the bookmakers and play in the FOBTS. Up to £100 a spin I had taken many payday loans and racked up in excess of £10,000 in debt. At this point I did speak to my parents but not how it was accumulated but just that it built up over the years. They gave me a loan to pay everything off then I paid that back over 4 years. If I fast forward to today. I’m pretty much in the same position, earning a lot more than I did but if I don’t stop know I don’t know where it will end.
As of today I have all the blocks in place, gamstop, self exclusions etc. I also have restricted my safari on my phone and my partner has the code so I can’t go into the websites. Even with gamstop you can still access the non uk licences casinos and I was spending to feed my addiction even though I know they won’t pay out.
So today is day7, the last time I gambled was 840pm last Sunday. I am now 36 and I need to get my life together, get a mortgage etc with out relying on everyone else. Any tips etc to keep my going would be a great help and I will continue ready the forum.
All the best
Martin
The best of luck,
``Even with gamstop you can still access the non uk licences casinos and I was spending to feed my addiction even though I know they won’t pay out.``
Block online purchases with your bank, or at least get two tier banking , and have your partners number as the one that the verification goes to, so if you try to make a purchase online she has to give you the code before any purchase can go through.
good luck.
Hi
By me attending the recovery program meetings had very little to do about luck.
In time I would no longer want to hurt myself or other people.
I did things to help me abstain from gambling.
For me to abstain from gambling was my choice.
I was given a small amount of money each day to reduce the chances of me gambling.
It my choice to say that gambling was far too painful for me, that gambling was self-abuse to myself.
Only once I abstained from gambling could I even start to learn how to heal my pains.
The gambling establishments never hurt me, I hurt myself.
The gambling establishments never lied to my family I did that.
The gambling establishments were places I use to go to escape from my feelings and emotions.
By me inventing time and energy and going to meetings I found much healthier choices in my life.
Money was never going to make me happy.
Money was never going to heal my pains.
I have the choice today to live a healthy life without gambling.
I no longer want to live my life in fear.
I no longer want to lie to myself or others.
I no longer want to hurt myself any more.
Love and peace to everyone.
Dave L
AKA Dave Of Beckenham UK
@lids19635 thanks so much for your encouragement! I will look into the 2factor didn’t know that was a thing. That will help me even more and add extra steps in to the cycle. One day at a time. 7 days today!
Hi Martin. Well done, sounds like 7 days is good progress so far. The road is as long as you make it, so be thinking positively the whole way!
I think one extra tool not mentioned so far on this new post is counselling through Gamcare. Sounds like things have spiralled pretty gradually over time and this is something that counselling help with - to eliminate or at least minimize any urges to gamble, lessen the feeling of pain and guilt of gambling and generally see your future in a more positive light.
Until I started my counselling treatment, I don’t think I truly believed I could ever stop though last September was destined to my last ever bet. I couldn’t do it anymore, I would lose my family, kids, house, everything. I know what I want and it’s to keep all of that.
I don’t even have access to my debit card anymore, just apple pay. My mrs has hid my physical card and whilst it is a sole account, i do have gambling transaction blocks via my bank activated.
One last thing; remember it is okay to relapse, just if you do, understand that there are still things to unlock in your gamble-free-to-be journey and it’s up to you to find that answer, then you can try again!
Good Luck man
BGT
Hi martin.im new here and your story is the first ive read I relate to your story very much i got started the same way with the £5 jackpots as a kid and as i got older found online slots. Luckily ive not got myself into debt but ive definitely stoped myself from progressing in life.
Ive done the gamstop but found ways around it but as of tonight I've made it in posable for me to play online. Tomorrow is day 1.
@phil1984 hi Phil. Hope today is going ok! Yeah it’s a weird one as I remember the £5 jackpot and putting in £50 plus to win the jackpot - Crazy! With out the blocks in place I have now I would no doubt have spent some of my wages. I got paid today and there are still fully intact minus the bills (which never happens). Good luck and here’s to your 2nd day gamble free tomorrow.
Hello everyone,
I’ve had a little time going though the forums to get a sense on how everyone else is getting on, and can relate to so much.
To give a bit of background, I started gambling at the age of 13/14 on fruit machines in the local arcade (£5 jackpots) I used to help out cleaning the machines and would get paid a few pounds and put them straight in. Looking back this was my downfall and I was addicted. I remember being so exited going there at the weekends with my pocket money, or when I started working with my wages. I would pretty much lose it all.
Then I progressed to o line gambling when I was 18. This was a whole different level from gambling for me – unlimited winnings compared to what I was used too. I was working and had some control as I had to pay bills but would put a large amount of surplus income online. As I got older and as I worked in town I would go to the bookmakers and play in the FOBTS. Up to £100 a spin I had taken many payday loans and racked up in excess of £10,000 in debt. At this point I did speak to my parents but not how it was accumulated but just that it built up over the years. They gave me a loan to pay everything off then I paid that back over 4 years. If I fast forward to today. I’m pretty much in the same position, earning a lot more than I did but if I don’t stop know I don’t know where it will end.
As of today I have all the blocks in place, gamstop, self exclusions etc. I also have restricted my safari on my phone and my partner has the code so I can’t go into the websites. Even with gamstop you can still access the non uk licences casinos and I was spending to feed my addiction even though I know they won’t pay out.
So today is day7, the last time I gambled was 840pm last Sunday. I am now 36 and I need to get my life together, get a mortgage etc with out relying on everyone else. Any tips etc to keep my going would be a great help and I will continue ready the forum.
All the best
Martin
I am 119 days GF
In the past, I would sit on my phone all day/almost everyday gambling.
Since I have given up gambling, I now find myself spending quality time with my wife and the kids.
I have also joined the gym and run quite a bit. I also watch more TV than before.
Guess what I am trying to say is find a hobby, something to focus on and distract yourself away from gambling.
Keep it up, all the best
@beat_gambling_today hello! Thanks for reaching out and commenting. I’m on day 9 today and I have started the gamchange program. Hoping this will help with the urges and diving deeper into why I do this. I have all the blocks in place, so gambling is impossible at the moment. Hope your are doing well! Thanks
@davido0103 well done on 119 days! I’m on day 9 but it honestly has went quite quick. I started running at the beginning of the year and ran the Edinburgh half marathon at the end of May, so keeping this up at the moment. I’m looking forward to living a life with out gambling and doing more with family friends and also having more money! Keep going your doing amazing!!
Hi
119 gambling free days good for you, you are doing it.
9 gambling free days good for you, you are doing it also.
Running the Edinburgh half marathon at the end of May is very powerful.
I am also looking forward to living a life with out gambling at all.
Also feeling connected with family and friends and no longer need to lie or keep unhealthy secrets.
Life with out gambling can be so exciting and filled with feeling content and hapy.
And in time pride becomes part of my life.
Love and peace to everyone.
Dave L
AKA Dave Of Beckenham UK
@davido0103 well done on 119 days! I’m on day 9 but it honestly has went quite quick. I started running at the beginning of the year and ran the Edinburgh half marathon at the end of May, so keeping this up at the moment. I’m looking forward to living a life with out gambling and doing more with family friends and also having more money! Keep going your doing amazing!!
Thanks mate, onwards and upwards. Speak soon?
Hello, how is everyone doing? Day 24 and onto my 3rd week of Gamcare (gamchange) program/counselling. It’s been great to speak with someone each week. Claire has been brilliant, and it’s been so good to go though everything in great detail. I feel so much better and haven’t found it too hard so far. Obviously I have all the blocks in place so it is impossible to gamble, but because I know I can’t do it I don’t think about it 95% of the time. Hopefully each week it will get better and I’m going to focus on paying back my debts to remind myself I never want to be in this position again!
Cheers, Martin
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