To a happier and debt free life...

Hi Breakfree,

Welcome.

Yup, know the feeling - the gambling hangover's not nice and it can put a cloud over you that appears difficult to shift. I was in the exact same position last week (I'm 7 days gambling free - GF).

My suggestion is that you plan a practical step today, it won't take long (20 minutefs), and will let a peek - just a peek - of sunshine though that cloud.

You owe this not just to you, but your family. It is not fair on them. They don't ask for this.

Here's my suggestion, and I'm assuming that you go into bookies.

Phone this number - 0800 294 2060 - and ask to be self-excluded from all the bookies you use and beyond. I don't know your circumstances but this could be around where you live and work. Don't miss any out, the person you speak to will guide you. (Mon-Fri 9-5pm, so a 'date for your diary'!)

Then, send a smartphone picture of your driving licence or passport, and faceshot back in reply to the e-mail you'll be sent.

If your 'bag' is online gambling, systematically ban yourself from every account you've got open, and consider blocking software, details can be found around this site.

For casinos, phone them up and ask to speak to the manager, he/she will be able to exclude you from every casino in the U.K. Just phonecthem up!

These are practical steps that you should seriously consider NOW whilst in the throes of your gambling hangover.

It shows you mean business.

Aside from that, it's important to build some GF days in the 'bank'.

You're on Day 1. So let's get to Day 2. Probably easy, still 'hangovered', but it's critical you don't do a 'hair of the dog' and chase your losses - just about the worst thing you could do right now.

Keep writing and keep focused, you did the right thing starting a diary! You may feel, in time, exploring the reasons why you gamble - because there's usually a reason why we're self-inflicting this 'pain'. But one step at a time 🙂

All the best, Mixer

Day 2

Firstly thank you Mixer for some excellent advice and tips.

I have made the first steps and blocked all on my online betting accounts so this has put me at ease.

Today has been a great day, spent the day playing golf with a mate and we had a perfect round in the sun.
Just made a spot of dinner and spending some time with my son so no thoughts of gambling today.

Onwards and upwards, looking forward to a clear head next week and no gambling.

No problem, my pleasure.

And good to see you've already taken positive practical steps, enjoyed the weekend and also taken stock of where you are and what you feel you need to do (My previous guidance might well help you!)

At the very least, keep GF on Monday. And if you want the cherry on the cake, you might find banning yourself from the bookies a very compelling proposition ...

All the best for a fantastic week, perhaps the week that will really change your life ... for the better!

Mixer

Day 3

Trying to keep busy today, I have three days off from work to take my son to his new pre school each day.
Nice to keep my mind off betting and already are starting to feel better only after 3 days.
The gambling hangover from Friday is almost gone and I know I do not want that feeling again.
I work too bloody hard just to give my money away, I have set myself a target and that is 50 days without a bet.
As you can see I've been here before and started a diary that lasted about 70 days then I lost interest and guess what I started thinking I could have the odd bet.
I don't want to get sloppy again and this time I need to stop for good.
I've seen the saying "I can't win because I can't stop" well that very much relates to me so I plan not to start gambling again.

Anyway I guess that's enough rambling from me, have a great Monday everyone(said no-one ever;-)

Breakfree

Nice one Breakfree. Keep it going. I can relate to your opening post a lot. I have a beautiful wife, two amazing beautiful kids. I have so much to be grateful for in my life. I'm easy going too - although I have found that this can be a good and bad thing in recovery. One thing I will say - maybe your target should be just for today. Keep it simple. Trying to do 50 days in one go is a real problem gambler trait. Easy does it.

Anyway - not a criticism - only trying to help. Well done on your days off gambling. Keep on the freedom path. It's much better!

Day 4

Thanks for your comments Tusli4, I agree that maybe the 50 day target is getting a bit ahead of myself. Let's just take this one day at a time!

I took a look at your diary TusliT and I think we are very similar.
When you describe what type of person you are when on the gambling and non gambling path.
This was like someone describing me to a T!
Your diary definitely left me with some good food for thought, I need to stay on the right path which is not to gamble.

Anyway sun is shining here and I'm still off work, got a few jobs to do and picking up my son later.
Have a good day everyone:-)

breakfree

Hi breakfree,

Tusli4 is on the money; it's about one day at a time - keeping our targets manageable.

And as you rightly say - it's sunny, and, although off to work, you'll be cracking on with some tasks and the pleasure of seeing your son later. And gambling free, too. Sounds to me like a perfect day!

Have a good one mate.

Mixer

Day 5

Last day off work and I feel like I need to be on my guard today. Not picking my son up until later and the missus has the car so I need to keep busy to keep the mind off gambling.

Normally I'd hit the golf course but that's not possible today so plan to do a few DIY jobs that I never have had time to do while I had my gambling head on.

My big loss from last week is still lingering a bit but I can pay that off if I just don't bet anymore.
I know I will have more money and be happier if I just stop betting full stop, I've got to stop chasing money as I don't need it.

I'm starting a new evening course to be more qualified in my job next week l and doing some research about booking a weekend away with the missus in November.

Trying to keep the mind busy and have things to look forward to 🙂

Day 6

Nice productive day today, been at work so now on my way home.

Bought the missus a few presents for her birthday. Isn't it funny when you buy presents that you think they are expensive but we all have blown insane amounts on gambling and not even thought about it.

I have gone really into lockdown mode now and it feels nice I'm only using money for the essentials like food, bills etc.

Tomorrow will be a week free of gambling and I'm feeling good about this achievement.

I am feeling a little bit of withdrawal from the no gambling but I guess that is natural.

I've bought a nice bottle of Rioja for the weekend so plan to watch some series with the missus tomorrow night.
Anything non gambling is good for me right now, normally I'd be ignoring everybody and be following my bets so this is an improvement.

Hope everyone is having a great day 🙂

Hi breakfree,

How profoundly true when you consider presents expensive and yet we blow so much more on gambling... it makes no sense! However, we are on the OTHER side of the fence now, using money for what it SHOULD be used for, and not for throwing down the drain. We know that's what happens because whether we win and lose, we always give it back, and then some more, so we always lose.

You're doing excellent as you hit a week GF. This is fantastic, a line in the sand and a marker you can build on. We have a BH weekend coming up - let's get through it, day-by-day, GF and not waste a single penny on this total waste of time, money and emotion and concentrate on what we know it really important - ourselves and our loved ones.

Here's to a fantastic Friday and long weekend ahead!

Mixer

Day 7

One week! A small step I know but it is step in the right direction 🙂

I'm off work today so I'm looking at buying some new blinds for the flat, I find that DIY jobs around the house are a healthy distraction.

Anyway, i'm looking forward to a gamble free weekend with the family 🙂

Day 8

Just checking in here and happy to report no gambling!

The gambling fog or black cloud is disappearing from me and I am feeling much better.

Now I've past one week I'm looking to end of September as my next step.

I'm really determined to get to Xmas so I can start 2018 with real optimism.

Anyway hope everyone has a great Saturday.

Breakfree

Hi breakfree

I am truly delighted to read your update; your positivity underpinned by gritty determination is shining through. My target is Christmas too, incidentally, that I am determined to reach one day at a time- it's always requires daily effort as we both know. Enjoy what will always be a better weekend, when we're GF!

Day 9

Plan for today is spot of dinner at the local Indian restaurant, finish putting up new curtain rails in all bedrooms, watch Arsenal v Liverpool then off to the driving range for an hour.
No thoughts of gambling today, have a great Sunday everyone.