We go again: Day 1

Hi Nebbo

I sense you really want to draw a line in the sand and stop this once and for all.

You're fed up that you're not enjoying football any more. It's been about the score, not the game itself.

Fed up with the financial losses too... my god, the things you could've bought for that money. Top VIP tickets, where you could have enjoyed the game for real, with the atmosphere and really lapping up the skills, the players, tactics and the rest of it without getting overly het up on the score; the result.

However, you are going to turn it around. Fantastic, that is great news, not just for you, but your friends and loved ones who will see the real 'you' come back out of your shell, not the furtive, nervous version who has to take the emotional hit of losing large sums - they hurt!

Thing is,like me, you need to become a recovering/discovering gambler, and the medicine is simple to administer- every day, you say to yourself- - today, I am not going to gamble. And repeat, daily.

There might be underlying reasons why you gamble, certainly, being GF day by day, your head will start to clear and, with support perhaps, you'll rationalise and deal with the reasons why.

So don't be afraid to seek help, like phoning Gamcare, posting on your dairy or even seeking out GA meetings or counselling through this site.

We all wish you the best of luck - you can do this! You are choosing life over misery. Great choice!

Hi Nebbo,

I too loved a footy bet to the point I even put a £1000 bet on a both teams to score match. And that was purely based on the previous nights loss playing roulette. It got to a point where I would have to have a bet of some sort on every match. 3pm bets lose, that's okay I'll bet on the 530 game, that loses. That's okay I'll bet on the French and Spanish leagues at 8pm. Then going to bed and not just betting but watching f*****g South American games and losing more. Then spend the next morning thinking about what matches are on today to chase back my losses. See the thing here is it's not just the money that's going, it's the time. My whole weekend dominated by this. And this would happen most weekends. We're not here forever and we need to make the most of it. Today is the start for you, forget the past. I only joined here the other day after losing £3k and I'm feeling much better already. Nip it in the bud, keep your chin up and move on from this. All the best

Ps great advice from Mixer

Mixer wrote:

Hi Nebbo

I sense you really want to draw a line in the sand and stop this once and for all.

You're fed up that you're not enjoying football any more. It's been about the score, not the game itself.

Fed up with the financial losses too... my god, the things you could've bought for that money. Top VIP tickets, where you could have enjoyed the game for real, with the atmosphere and really lapping up the skills, the players, tactics and the rest of it without getting overly het up on the score; the result.

However, you are going to turn it around. Fantastic, that is great news, not just for you, but your friends and loved ones who will see the real 'you' come back out of your shell, not the furtive, nervous version who has to take the emotional hit of losing large sums - they hurt!

Thing is,like me, you need to become a recovering/discovering gambler, and the medicine is simple to administer- every day, you say to yourself- - today, I am not going to gamble. And repeat, daily.

There might be underlying reasons why you gamble, certainly, being GF day by day, your head will start to clear and, with support perhaps, you'll rationalise and deal with the reasons why.

So don't be afraid to seek help, like phoning Gamcare, posting on your dairy or even seeking out GA meetings or counselling through this site.

We all wish you the best of luck - you can do this! You are choosing life over misery. Great choice!

Hi Mixer, thank you for your message and taking time out to offer me support and advice, it's much appreciated.

I have tried a few times to quit but failed. I'm more determined than ever. In under 12 months I have wasted close to 12K on football betting, money that could have been spent on me and my family.

I'm not letting the loss of finances affect me as you do silly things like chasing money to try in vain to get it back.

The line is there now, I have no access to gamble online as closed my last account yesterday (Coral) so even if I wanted to gamble I couldn't 🙂 time to move onwards and upwards...thanks again mate.

Happy to help nebbo - reading your post I really sensed a strong streak of determination to put a stake deep into the heart of this destructive bane of your life once and for all. You are taking solid practical steps; that's good. Do make sure though, that you remove tempations to open other accounts, there is powerful free software you can obtain via this site - shold be straightforward to find via the forums here - and it's free I believe. It all helps.

Good luck and keep writing your diary if you feel it helps. You can do this - one day at a time. You're getting off the express train to what you know will be disaster, and turning your life around. It's the best move you'll every make, and you're already starting it!

NickSpurs wrote:

Hi Nebbo,

I too loved a footy bet to the point I even put a £1000 bet on a both teams to score match. And that was purely based on the previous nights loss playing roulette. It got to a point where I would have to have a bet of some sort on every match. 3pm bets lose, that's okay I'll bet on the 530 game, that loses. That's okay I'll bet on the French and Spanish leagues at 8pm. Then going to bed and not just betting but watching f*****g South American games and losing more. Then spend the next morning thinking about what matches are on today to chase back my losses. See the thing here is it's not just the money that's going, it's the time. My whole weekend dominated by this. And this would happen most weekends. We're not here forever and we need to make the most of it. Today is the start for you, forget the past. I only joined here the other day after losing £3k and I'm feeling much better already. Nip it in the bud, keep your chin up and move on from this. All the best

Ps great advice from Mixer

Hi Nick, thank you for your message I did a long reply but it failed to post 🙁 thanks for your support too it's much appreciated mate. Regards Nebbo

i love hearing this advise to

Day 5 - Feel so good being a full five days GF. Had minor urges at the weekend looking at football matches but my willingness and determination put these thoughts to bed. Also knowing I have no online betting accounts to login to has helped me so much as the brick wall is in place.

I'm making sure I pay myself back the £850 I have recently lost by saving £250 a month over the next few I will then use this money to treat myself.

I'm not becoming complacent but I hate gambling with a passion now which is also helping 🙂 stay strong. Nebbo

After a blip and placing a couple of low bets (£10) on the football im now on day 8 and feel good. I've realised how much time and money I've wasted on football bets.

Now on day 8 after gambling on 19th Feb (I won the bet) but still felt guilty betting. I have self excluded of all betting accounts now for 5 years 🙂 I have no means to gamble unless I go to a bookie which I would never do.

I highly recommend self excluding this is the only block I find that works

Good job 🙂 Good to hear a positive step being taken.