Well here is the yearly bi-anual day that I both love and hate in equil mesures. Time to go round to bookies and self exclude... I have never really shown my feeling towards this other than I really hate doing it but I know it works for me. I like going in early morning so there are few people in and I just hope that there is a experianced indevisual behind the counter to just get it over and done with. I have to admit that when I first did this about 5 years ago I really did not want to do it. The shame and embaresment of it... Now I see it as a nessesity to control my gambling urges. I know i will never change as a gambler and if I have the oportunity I will hit the slots and can eisily be down £300 quid in under 30 minutes. That may not sound like a huge amount to loose but I do know that I feel terible afterwards and my cicle of blame, self pitty and gambling begins again. To be honest with mmyself it is just the feeling afterwards when I walk out and feel that it is done and finished. I also think for me the actual act now acts as a reminder of me wanting to be in control again. And i do feel good afterwards.
You have no reason to be embarrassed about sorting your life out, as long as YOU know you're doing the right thing and why you're doing it then that's all that matters. You may get looks in the bookies but think about who is taking control of their gambling and who isn't. You're above them in this situation and hopefully they realise what you're doing is the right thing to do. Good on you man, keep it up!
Hi leoleo,
Well done for the efforts you’re investing in your recovery. Well tried, and keep going.
It seems like you’ve been struggling with your gambling problem for some time now, and you have found a way of controlling your gambling by banning yourself yearly. Well done to you!
I think you’re being brave and wanting to help yourself when you set aside a Self Exclusion day every year for yourself. I think that’s great!
It seems like that helps you to stay away from gambling. Never mind who is looking at you at the bookies; banning yourself means you’re doing the right thing for you; doing what it takes to stop yourself from responding to the urge to gamble.
At the end of the day, if that stops you from gambling, if that enable you to have some peace of mind, and also pay your bills and have some money for your everyday necessities, and perhaps save some money, then that’s what you ought to do, and rightly so.
I’m glad to inform you that there’s now a single number that you can contact to self-exclude from all the bookies in your local area, thus helping you, and saving you time to go from shop to shop in order to ban yourself.
The number to contact for the Self-Exclusion is: 0800 294 2060.
It’s a very busy line so don’t be put off if you don’t get through the first time.
Maybe, you’d also like to contact our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers for further help and support. We can refer you to 12 sessions of free counselling if you think that would help your recovery.
Keep up the good work, and please keep posting.
Best wishes,
Beatrice
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