310 days gamble free after a relapse.
I have been on a debt management plan with stepchange for a good few years now they are a charity that offer advice and tools around debt. The best option for me was a dmp I have worked so hard to carry on paying of my gambling debts which has included multiple pay day loans. Stepchange took away all the stress and gave me a monthly goal that was affordable and helped me see a way out of debt. So anyone struggling financially please ateast enquire about support.Â
The cause of my relapse was having only the 6 month gamstop and thinking I could go back on a gambling site and be 'sensible'. Impossible once you have had a problem the risk of relapse is so high and its not worth it because its impossible to control. Wins arnt enough then you loose everything chasing. I got gamstop back in place.
I also did the gamchange course which is cbt modules online with also phone call support this enabled me to reflect on my gambling weigh up what I thought was the pros vs cons and enabled me to get in the right frame of mind about stopping gambling.Â
I still get urges at times more impulsive thoughts or the thoughts of never gambling long term are to much so I focus on getting through the short term. Gamcare offer support I recommend especially anyone at beginning of their recovery calling and people checking in during recovery.
I'm also working on cbt with gambling clinic for support. I'm hoping this will help prevent relapse.Â
From experience I would say your always in recovery after a problem. If you take your eye of it then release could ruin it.Â
That's just my journey. 310 days gamble free it's not easy I still struggle with urges at times but I am now debt free. It has took a lot of hard work determination and waiting for the urges to pass rather than acting on them. Yes I need to be careful I still have odd blips but I now feel more careful with money than ever.Â
I once got every payday loan..credit card bank loan I could i felt in a mess rock-bottom and didn't know if or how I was gonna ever get out of it. Gamstop gamcare gamchamge and stepchange have helped me as well as using the chatroom at times.
 Lou x
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Well done that’s really good progress.  Can I make a suggestion, enable gamstop for 5 years don’t mess around just do it.Â
If you let up your guard now, before you know it you’ve got 8 payday loans and a burning urge to chase it all.
Hopefully those days are gone but only you are in charge of your destiny.Â
Well done Lou, you should be very proud of your achievement.Â
Super to read LouÂ
I know how hard you have worked for this day
I have followed your diary and you have always been honest about the struggles while always showing compassion and words of encouragement to others on this site.Â
You should be very proud of yourself how far have come a great story for other people to see it can be done by putting the hard work inÂ
HollyÂ
Thankyou all so much for your kind words and encouragement 🙂Â
LouxÂ
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