It took me a long time to realise I had a problem. Longer still to do anything about it. I tried to stop a few times but it wasn't until I looked for help from the NHS website and got counselling I was able to go more than a couple of weeks without gambling.
I wasn't very committed to it to start with. My girlfriend was worried that I was doing therapy but not actually stopping. After about 3 sessions I felt I had to actually put more effort into stopping. I excluded from all my gambling websites where I played for 5 years. One website didn't have any controls so I changed the password and made it hard to remember. So my online gambling stopped 24th July 2024. I still went to the bookies once and bought a lottery ticket. I felt this was cheating even though it wasn't my usual gambling activity. After these 2 bets I haven't put a penny on gambling since 3rd August 2024.
I found it hard because I spent so long each day gambling before. It was boring and I felt like I had given up on my dreams. My therapist said this was common. It got worse so I started taking anti depressants. After a couple of months things have improved dramatically. I suddenly have more money. I have to reward myself for doing so well. So I have invested in my running. Bought new trainers and clothes. I usually would have not had the money to do this before. I used to be broke halfway through the month about 90% of the months. I have run faster and further than I have done before.
I regularly keep diaries to keep a track of my spending and how much I gamble. For months I had almost no money but since I stopped online gambling I have more control over my finances. I was never in serious debt but I would regularly have to borrow off my mum or girlfriend to get through the month. Now I am looking forward to Christmas and have very few worries about being able to afford it.
It is something I have had to work hard at. Pressing buttons on a mouse and gambling is so easy. I hope I never go back to gambling because my life is so much better without it.
Hi
Compulsive Gambling is a very self inflicted painful self abuse addiction.
I lost all faith and hope in myself.
I am a non religious person.
Yet I use to think that I loved gambling.
It was the most stimulating thing in my life.
The gambling establishments never hurt me I hurt my self.
Not once but time and time again.
Weeks, Months Years Decades how long to understand that I was a very unhealthy person.
The most important thing is to heal and understand it.
Dave L
AKA Dave of Beckenham
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I agree. Through counselling I was able to understand the reasons why I gambled and understand that it was doing me no good long term.
Well done mate 100 plus days is a great achievement i too have have had gambling issues for the past 18 years am on day 504 gamble free and my life is a million times better i have not only paid my debt off i have some savings and bought quite abit of stuff which needed replacing i actually believe why didnt i start this process earlier i went Ga on and off has i personally didnt fit in however what worked for me was using the services on here i realised what my triggers were and it was the first time i wanted to make these changes and that was to listen to the people, i also learnt the addiction isnt like any other and it only take 1 bet to turn my life upside down im glad you are seeing the benefits early on and it will help to push your drive to remain gamble free
Thanks @tazman. 100+ days does feel like a big achievement. Congrats on your 500+ days. I too am feeling why did it take me so long to start. I guess I wasn't ready to properly stop. Good luck with your gamble free journey too.
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