Hi All,
I've been GF since Jan '18 and last night I took the decision to pay off the final lump sum on my credit card rather than leave myself to pay it over the next five months. This allows me to to turn 50 on Friday, debt free and the feeling is fantastic, I am feeling very positive about the future. Almost 3 years ago I was in a terrible state, I was earning good/great money but spending even more and racking up the debts, I was robbing Peter to pay Paul and just stuck my head in the sand, my gambling was chaotic and I would constantly gamble until it had all gone, I'd gamble on anything sports related even table tennis! It all came to a head when I realised I was not able to afford to pay my tax bill, I had planned to stick it on my credit card but that kind of activity had been stopped that year and I was left with little option other than to speak to HMRC and ask them to go onto a payment plan which they accepted but not without some harsh words. I stopped gambling at that moment but the true extent of my debt wasn't revealed for a further year when I calculated my next years tax assessment and was in trouble again. If I'd been able to use my card for that tax payment then I likely wouldn't have stopped when I did, fortunately that block meant I stopped just in time to prevent myself from almost certainly losing my house, at the time I looked into those companies that buy houses straight away and also looked at increasing my borrowing but in the end I toughed it out and struck up a plan. I have used GAMSTOP which was an absolute god send to me as my problem was online and online only, I just have no urge to go into a bookies or a casino. I've suffered with anxiety over this but I've knuckled down, worked hard and paid as much off I could as often as possible and that's led me to now. Shortly after I stopped and realised the true extent of my problem/losses, I fessed up to my family and friends and that came as a huge weight off my shoulders, I was pleasantly surprised even humbled at how supportive people were to me, not financially but emotionally and that was what I really needed (it was my financial mess and I wasn't on the lookout for handouts). I continue to visit this site as it has most certainly helped me to understand my problem a little more, it keeps me grounded as to what I am and I must never forget that. I consider myself lucky to have got to where I am now but I know I must not let my guard down, ever! Thanks for reading, I wish you all the best.
Good morning,
First a massive congratulations on your achievement, it’s a pleasure to read such a long term success story.
I can hugely relate to your situation, I am 45 days GF & have 25k of loans left to pay over the next 2 years after losing over 100k through this horrible addiction.
I cannot wait until I am in a position to write what you have put today. So once again a massive congratulations & you should be extremely proud on your long term success.
Have a great 50th Birthday on Friday.
Well done mate...you are a good example of what can be done if you want it badly enough. I admire and respect you and hope you never have a relapse.
Bloody fantastic feeling isn't it!
What an inspirational read congratulations! Can I just ask if you still have regular urges? I'm just over 900 days gf and am suprised how I still have urges to gamble, especially when I see the TV adverts or get pop ups etc.
Dx
What an inspirational read congratulations! Can I just ask if you still have regular urges? I'm just over 900 days gf and am suprised how I still have urges to gamble, especially when I see the TV adverts or get pop ups etc.
Dx
What an inspirational read congratulations! Can I just ask if you still have regular urges? I'm just over 900 days gf and am suprised how I still have urges to gamble, especially when I see the TV adverts or get pop ups etc.
Dx
What an inspirational read congratulations! Can I just ask if you still have regular urges? I'm just over 900 days gf and am suprised how I still have urges to gamble, especially when I see the TV adverts or get pop ups etc.
Dx
Thanks to you all for your kind words.
c17ort - keep going, 45 days is fantastic and you'll soon find that there is light at the end of the tunnel, just remember that this is unfortunately a life long battle and we cannot get complacent. I wish you the very best and look forward to reading your story in the future.
M&P - Thank you. It does feel good, yes. As long as there are controls then I'm fine, GAMSTOP was the main thing for me as it literally stopped me dead in my tracks. I wish you all the very best on your own journey.
Donna - Your own recovery journey sounds fantastic, well done. I have no urges but I think that's mainly down to GAMSTOP being in place and I simply don't have the desire or want to get around it. I'm signed up for 5 years and if I was able to sign up for life then I would do so in a heartbeat. The fight is real and that's why I remain a regular visitor to this site, at the end of the day I'm a gambling addict and will always be one.
Massive congratulations to you. Make sure you do something nice to celebrate! I'm 22 years old and have 10k debt to clear due to my gambling. It is inspirational and relieving to hear stories of people that have come out the other side of the tunnel.
Congrats - such a great milestone to achieve. Debt free!
well done and well deserved!
Thanks for the kind words. All the best.
Massive congratulations to you. Make sure you do something nice to celebrate! I'm 22 years old and have 10k debt to clear due to my gambling. It is inspirational and relieving to hear stories of people that have come out the other side of the tunnel.
Hiya, thanks for the kind words. I hope you are on your own journey to recovery, just stick at it and you will start to feel much better. I'm euphoric now but have been fairly positive about things for quite a while now as I've been chipping away at the debt. I've been fortunate on a number of things, firstly that the blocks I put in place were very effective, secondly my family and friends were very supportive of me and finally I am not the type of person to dwell on what has gone, that cannot be changed and I accepted that straight away. Take care and let me know how you get on, if you ever need any advice or encouragement then I'm on here fairly regularly.
Evening all,
Well done for fighting the urges. May the force be with you.
All the best
Xoi
Ps a thousand mile begins with one step
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
