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
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.
Affected by gambling?
Looking for support?
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.