Hi all,
Coming up to a month since i decided i had to stop gambling (this time i really mean it). Little background on my gambling, gambling since 18, started being a problem around 22/23 and over 2 years ago i lost all my ВЈ10,000 savings. I stopped for a few months then started again, lost a bit more but kept going winning and losing, June 1st last year lost ВЈ1,000 i had left in my account. Stopped for 3 weeks but felt i'd earned it back in wages so started again. Just about controlling it losing but winning it back. Then Sunday 8th March this year i lost all my savings i'd built up over last 7 months in one night ВЈ6,500 culminating in a £4,000 lost bet.
Looking back now i think why did i bet on that etc, bet that much and ruin my finances.
Last week i saw a bet i could place all my money on and would win money back i lost - didnt do it and it did win, but proud i didnt bet. Promised my dad i won't bet again and will keep this promise, if id won the cycle would of started again and further down the line be back here as once i start can't stop.
Anyway sorry for long post, 1 month free on Sunday and now starting to feel a bit better this week, slowly money is coming back and holiday in June to look forward to as a 3 month reward. I will make it.
Tnsk
Well done mate your doing great
Had a few thoughts today about gambling. The money lost and if id put bet on would of won money back etc.
I know not betting is better, couldnt of faced family again and would of started cycle again.
Long run by christmas financially be in a better position. Thats the aim, slow progress and working 6 days for next few months, mainly to keep busy as days off are when temptation most hits.
Slowly feeling better, got monthly goals to hit to keep me focussed and 1 month free tomorrow so onwards and upwards!
One month gambling free 🙂
Gone quick really but thoughts and urges still strong when they occur. Resisted so far and will keep doing so i hope, here's to many more months to come!
HI NT, thanks for the post. Still find weekends hardest when I would normally bet. Also think I can bet and win my money back but know I most likely won't, if I do it'll start the gambling cycle again and if I lose will be back to square 1 with no money. At times feel happy others real down as gambling was a big part of who I am, which most people never see. Still struggling to go out and justify spending any money yet, just working lots and trying to save again. Lost 22 weeks wages in 1 day which is ludicrous but shows how much gambling controlled me. Couldn't stop once started, trying to make this a positive in my life as was chasing a thrill, looking at getting new jobs, hobbies and enjoying life more. Aim is to have by Christmas debt free and a little saved and hopefully a more fulfilling life and a gambling free one!!!
Thoughts still with me. Have times not thinking about it but not sure if i can fully ever forget about what happened. In one way this is good and can stop me from going back to gambling, need to move past losses and focus on future.
Had a bad month but not gambled, went away from my exercise and been comfort eating to get through, back in the exercise routine and feeling good now, push on with this and hope to think less about gambling each day.
Thoughts quite bad today. Not been a great day but still gambling free. Keep thinking of the bets i did/should of done/could do etc. I know people say forget about it and move on which is good advice, but very hard to do tbh. I know that money will return and i wont lose it on gambling again, small steps on the long road to recovery. Just wish i could stop thinking about the money and gambling just draining me.
Had my 3rd counselling session today. Helped me put a bit more of my gambling onto perspective, i've had 4 years working and no money to show for it all because of gambling. Ive won a bit but lost lots more, the only way i lose all my money is through gambling, stop that and i will soon save money.
Be a long road to earning it back, end of april one milestone be back to neutral just down on 5000 savings. Plan to work hard till june when i go to barcelona on holiday, if needed work till end of july/august and be free from gambling induced finances september. Just in time to go and enjoy the Rugby World Cup, thats my long term aim but i will only achieve that through not gambling.
Feeling more positive about it today.
Hi Trisk
Well done on a month free of gambling.
We've all thought about recouping our losses, and we all know where it leads.... more losses. Yes you may get your money back, but what then? You stop all of a sudden? Unfortunately our heads do not work that way. The money you have lost is gone - it is not coming back. I don't mean to sound harsh, but our losses are exactly that.... lost.
Would be interested to hear if you think the counselling is helping you - i'm hoping to start some soon.
All the best mate.
Hi ste_ven,
Counselling is helping a bit. Ladt session was good, help to put more things in perspective.
I know your spot on, money is gone and move on, starting to process that now and a bit coming back in. Still not my old self when out with mates etc, hopefully that comes back soon as not happy like before, but know without gambling long run i will be happy and have a better future.
5 weeks free today. Urges are less and not really thinking much about placing a bet now. Slowly accepting i wont bet again and coming to terms with that. Still miss that buzz at times but know hambling although hiving a little high also causes all the massive lows and problems in my life.
Hope to get back to my old self - or a better version of my old self, enjoy being out with mates and the better things in life.
That being said wont post on here as much anymore, weeky updates, coming on here too much and obsessive behaviour i need to curb. Still post and good way to track by progress, just not as much and start trying to enjoy my new life now!
41 days free now. 6 weeks tomorrow. Still have bad days but getting less and less. Starting to realise i have a life without gambling, i get urges but put them aside. Earning £300 a week now working 6 days after expenses so should be gambling debt free by end of september.
Just going to take it days and weeks at a time, 2 month milestone in 2 weeks time and trying not to worry too much about money just live life a bit more. Want to be happy again constantly, not in sporadic bouts.
Coming to 7 weeks gambling free. Happy to make it this far, seemed so far away when i first started. Thoughts still with me everyday but lessening and not as bad as before. Urges still occur but not as strong, can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 1/3 of the way to clearing my gambling debts.
Liken it to a round of golf as a big golf fan, just finished the 6th hole, in a good position but facing the tricky turn holes where if i get through safely can make it still going strong to the closing holes!
Lets start with a nice solid middle of the fairway shot for hole 7, avoid the rough and bunkers and finish this hole safely as well 🙂
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