Hi All,
I came to this forum over 3 years ago, a day before my 20th birthday. I had been gambling for about 14months during that time and lost around £7k, this actually increased to £9k after relapsing a few weeks later from that post. Original Post - http://www.gamcare.org.uk/node/106530
I now have been clean for just over 3 years and would like to thank everyone on this forum for all the moral support, personal stories and other advice that was given and shared.
I come from a very poor background and was quite bright achieving straight-A grades at A-level in one of the worse state schools in the country, I was given a scholarship to a very good university for my achievement, however I ended up dropping out due to this addiction. I reached a point where I was suicidal because of this disease, you know where death starts becoming an attractive option and easy way out..
I decided to go back into higher education at a new institution and recently just graduated at 23 as well as securing a top corporate job in the City at an astonishing amount of around £50k in the legal field.
I hope my story empowers and encourages other to stay strong in their own personal journey in beating this disease. Sometimes we create so much negativity through our thoughts and actions that we lose hope and that the light at the end of the tunnel seems blurred. I found that I had to really discipline myself through identifying the root cause of what made me gamble, how to approach it and replace it with something else. In my case it was that I had dissatisfaction with my university course/institution and was easily distracted/bored due to have no passion or goals to work towards. I did a lot of introspection in attempting to learn about the real me and took on some new hobbies to fill the time where I would be gambling otherwise. I put a plan together and tried my best at executing it each and every day. Once you've hit rock bottom, I personally found that you are liberated as it takes the fear away from trying out new experiences and putting a lot more effort into other areas of your life as you develop an attitude of resilience and of thinking 'what more worse could happen'.
I wish each and every one of you the best of luck in beating this disease and regaining control of your freedom, happiness and life, regardless of wherever you are in life.
If I can do it with all the odds stacked against me and being dealt the wrong cards in life as such, then why can’t YOU?
Your Friend,
£7k
Thanks for sharing and a very well done to you for turning your life around.
Thanks for your post was very inspiring
Please read my story
Thanks £7k for your story I think you've done fantastic on your education and hope you have more than 3 years now, with your job going strong.
Quitforever
wow, this is inspiring, I am 27 and have been gambling for 9 years. I didnt think it was possible to stop, but 3 years no gambling! that is encouraging me. To stop gambling even more now.
Great post, brilliant idea to post it on here, will hopefully help a few people who are hoping to be where you are.
Thanks all - I'll be close to being 5 years clean in a couple of months time!
Whenever the urge or temptation to gamble enters my mind from time to time:
* I remember when I was suicidal and wanted to kill myself because of my losses
* I remember when I couldn't help my Mum financially because she missed her mortgage payment as she works on a zero hour contract
* I remember when I couldn't afford to eat a basic meal or buy good food, even toilet paper seemed a luxury
* I remember when I couldn't afford a bus ride, so I walked for two hours to reach my destination
Today, my wealth, health and happiness is much better thanks to the decision I made almost 5 years ago. Otherwise I'd probably have still been in a rut, rotting away and watching my life pass by like some hooked J****E.
We all have a choice.
The choice is up to you, you can either choose to be treated like some cheap dirty cloth on the floor or choose to be treated like a fine Persian rug.
Do you think all the great footballers give up on scoring goals just because they have one bad match? Just because you had one one or a few bad runs with the FOBTS doesn't mean the rest of your life has to be like that.
Your friend,
£7k
🙂
Excellent words £7k and so very true you only get out of it what you put into it !
Very well done, so pleased for you and thank you for coming back to tell us, I can relate to how your explain the no fear of trying new things because that's what is keeping me from gambling, I have a lot more interests, learnt about my stength and weaknesses, appreciated quality time with family and friends, things we loose when gambling x best wishes to you x
its so encouraging hearing ur story. i have been gambling for 7-8 yrs now and it has becaome really bad. im desperate to get rid of this habit.
Thanks for sharing your story. Well done! Hoping for the best for you. 🙂 I feel positive now
Thanks all! The time has flown by, it’s been almost 5.5yrs since my last spin on those crack-addict like roulette machines! I’m glad I’m in a financially stable position today as if I didn’t take action all those years ago I would have probably ruined my life and not be where I am today. A life most likely filled with regrets and sorrow to say the least..stay strong! 🙂
Your friend,
£7k
It’s been over 6 years since my last spin on those crack addict machines. Today, I’ve just come back from a £5k holiday backpacking across Asia as well as having £50k in savings with no debt and a new job lined up. At 26, I feel much more confident and optimistic about life than the broke and suicidal 19 year old that came to this site all those years ago seeking help.
Stay Strong!
Your friend,
£7k
just read your thread and its an inspiring story , congratulations on everything youve achieved and turning your life around like you have . Im sure you barely recognise yourself back in those dark days of 6 years ago, my dark days were february march this year and i dont recognise myself even from then as i acted so irresponsibly and irrationally in those dark days and nights.
its brilliant how much this forum helped you out of your predicament back then and its great you have come back to it to encourage others, i have found this forum invaluable this year
congratulations and well done and may your success long continue.
Hello, it's my first time. I need support to be able to totaly overcome my gambling addiction and be able to move forward with my life...
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.
