Hello guys.
Just wanted to post something on here what i hope could inspire others to see what a life without gambling has done for me so far.
I currently have 112 gamble free days on the clock. When i gave up gambling on the 6th November 2017, i slowly started to reap the benefits of tackling this problem. I understand that people who read this may have different situations to me in terms of income or other means of support, or lack of. This topic is not to brag " I have this now cause i no longer gamble". The message is there for anyone no matter what the situation is. It's there to provide you with inspiration. I want to help others.
On wednesday, I would of received my 4th paycheck after going clean. After i got christmas out the way i hit the ground running in terms of budgeting my money better and starting to save. Without the monthly expense of gambling eating most of my leftover wages, i started to plan everything for that month. Bills, savings and a monthly allowance i could do things with like go to the pub or do things with my fiancee.
The financial benefits of not gambling was a real eye opener. I never had a penny to my name by the next payday because i'd always be skint after a week or two. This no longer happens and i'm pleased to say that I have managed to save half a months wages when i get paid. It really has made a massive change.
I know money isnt everything so id like to mention that another benefit has been to my well being. No more gamble related stress. No more guilt or anger because ive just put my money in the fobt and left with nothing. I posted in my last thread that removing gambling has allowed me to take a step back and really remember what bad it brought me. I have used that as another block to help me if i ever get the urge.
Thank you for reading my story so far and i hope it can help those in need. I really must insist though that you need gamble blocks in place to help your recovery. I wouldn't of been able to do it on willpower.
1. Self exclude from all the bookmakers you visit and even the ones you could drive to in a short enough amount of time. Ring the multi operator scheme and do as many as you want. I have 30+ shops and i'm not from a city or big town. Nothings extreme it just makes it near enough impossible to gamble and i wont try and breah my exclusion cause id feel an idiot if they recognised me and told me to leave.
2. Self exclude online.
3. Order a new card, hand that to a trusted partner, family or friend whilst also handing over control of all your finances.
You will read tips from others too but they are my blocks and it works for me. I can never gamble again otherwise it could spiral out of control so i wont get complacent or think i'm cured. I never will be, but i can certainly fight to keep it away and reap those benefits.
All the best.
Embracing
Hello embracingthestruggle,
Thank you for sharing what methods have helped you to remain gambling-free. Your recovery has helped to improve your finances and to alleviate your stress, and it has also provided you with the opportunity to enjoy sharing support here on the forum. You are putting your good intentions into action and sharing your recovery, and that sharing potentially benefits you and others alike.
Thanks for sharing your success,
Forum admin.
I’m in a very similar situation to you having just done 90 days . I totally know what you mean about having money when for most of your adult life you didn’t . You would look at people who were doing all these things in their life with jealousy but almost disbelief on how they can afford it . Well now we know , they just don’t waste it like we did . They wake up happy , not stressed with gambling and are normal . It does feel good and it’s strange realising that we can do things that we couldn’t before . Well done on doing so well to this point , keep it going !
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