New, need advice please?

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(@northgambler)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Hi everyone new here, I’ve been gambling for around about 12 years I’d say! Although I’ve always played and had a love of fruit machines etc from a young age! 
 finally after years and years of wasting money I’ve decided enough is enough and need to sort my life out once and for all. Wasted 5k in about 2 days and that’s when I knew I had to call it quits. 
I’m probably about 25k in debt and I’m paying it back bit by bit will probably take another three years but the damage is done. 
I’ve signed up to all the online gambling blocks and excluded myself to shops anywhere near me ( sports betting is my biggest downfall). 
im curious to no if anyone is in a similar position though when it comes to days out at the races etc, this is a regular day out for mates and sports teams I play in who do this for dos etc. Nobody knows about my gambling and would like to keep it that way for the time being as I can pay off what I owe without help. I still want to go on these because I love them but fear I may crack after I’ve had alcohol!  
got my first ARA assement by phone later and haven’t gambled for 8 days. 
sorry that was longwinded, thanks for reading! 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 9:20 am
Matthew4788
(@matthew4788)
Posts: 27
 

My advice for days out at the races mate is either don’t go all together, don’t bet when ur there or if you absolutely have to bet just join the group kitty on the races and just enjoy it without going gun ho. It’s tough I love the racing too especially ladies day and plate day at Newcastle. Be realistic with your expectations and don’t be hard on yourself mate .. am in the same boat as you with this one 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:26 am
(@sjanon)
Posts: 43
 

Hi

I initially struggled with separation of horse racing (the sport) and the betting element. Who knows, in ten years time I might be able to attend a meeting, but for now it's a definitive no-no. Even though I think I'd be okay, it's about avoiding situations/temptation.

Appreciate it will be hard on your social life, but if you're serious about stopping you'll need to prioritize it above some of the stuff you used to do.

Sounds like you've already taken some great steps re: self exclusion so just take care not to let your brain (the bad part!) put you in a situation where gambling is a possibility.

All the best 

SJ 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:37 am
Scottydog71
(@scottydogg)
Posts: 372
 

I feel for I my self have been in that position it’s one of my family’s things to do I come from a large family and we would meet at a race course if it was someone’s birthday my problem was online slots not betting on horse but I can’t go now as i can’t trust my self and I don’t want to risk all the hard work I put in and all the Faith shown to me hope in the 157 days I have been gamble free I hope this  helps scotty??

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:50 am
(@northgambler)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 
Posted by: Matthew4788

My advice for days out at the races mate is either don’t go all together, don’t bet when ur there or if you absolutely have to bet just join the group kitty on the races and just enjoy it without going gun ho. It’s tough I love the racing too especially ladies day and plate day at Newcastle. Be realistic with your expectations and don’t be hard on yourself mate .. am in the same boat as you with this one 

Thanks for the reply, yeah it’s tough when so many of my friends bet aswell, when in the pub for example someone if not everyone will have a bet on on what we are watching. I feel like I can control it but if I lose I chase and that’s my downfall and have no problem betting 1k a time to chase. It’s got to stop one way I should be way ahead in where I am in life with no responsibilities! 
thanks! 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:54 am
(@northgambler)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 
Posted by: SJAnon

Hi

I initially struggled with separation of horse racing (the sport) and the betting element. Who knows, in ten years time I might be able to attend a meeting, but for now it's a definitive no-no. Even though I think I'd be okay, it's about avoiding situations removed link

Appreciate it will be hard on your social life, but if you're serious about stopping you'll need to prioritize it above some of the stuff you used to do.

Sounds like you've already taken some great steps re: self exclusion so just take care not to let your brain (the bad part!) put you in a situation where gambling is a possibility.

All the best 

SJ 

Yeah I totally agree! I need to take out the situations to tempt. Just so hard when I literally love every sport possible so I’m constantly watching it!  Thanks for the advice mate! 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:55 am
(@northgambler)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 
Posted by: Scottydogg

I feel for I my self have been in that position it’s one of my family’s things to do I come from a large family and we would meet at a race course if it was someone’s birthday my problem was online slots not betting on horse but I can’t go now as i can’t trust my self and I don’t want to risk all the hard work I put in and all the Faith shown to me hope in the 157 days I have been gamble free I hope this  helps scotty??

Thanks mate! Yeah I too have dabbled in slots before now! I’d quite often stick 100 quid in a machine and not think anything of it! Luckily racing is a no go at the minute anyway so that temptation isn’t there for now! I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it! 
thanks pal and well done on the recovery keep it going! 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 11:58 am
Chris.UK
(@chris-uk)
Posts: 887
 

@northgambler

Just decide if you've had enough. If you have then just put it down. If you haven't keep going until you have. You'll get there soon enough.

I will tell you something from experience. You can't pick and choose what part of stopping gambling suits you without it ending badly fairly quickly. Stopping gambling means the social side of it too. Avoid the places where you gamble. No going to a race meeting, no going into a kitty for bets, no just doing slots but not sports betting. If you leave any chink in your armour with abstaince from betting you'd better believe that the addict in you will find a way!

Be honest with those who need to know. Parents, partners, close friends. Get to a GA meeting or do some counselling. Put some blocks in place. Read the other posts from people like you. 

I wish you well.

Chris.

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 2:10 pm
(@northgambler)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 
Posted by: Chris.UK

@northgambler

Just decide if you've had enough. If you have then just put it down. If you haven't keep going until you have. You'll get there soon enough.

I will tell you something from experience. You can't pick and choose what part of stopping gambling suits you without it ending badly fairly quickly. Stopping gambling means the social side of it too. Avoid the places where you gamble. No going to a race meeting, no going into a kitty for bets, no just doing slots but not sports betting. If you leave any chink in your armour with abstaince from betting you'd better believe that the addict in you will find a way!

Be honest with those who need to know. Parents, partners, close friends. Get to a GA meeting or do some counselling. Put some blocks in place. Read the other posts from people like you. 

I wish you well.

Chris.

Hi Chris. 
Thanks for posting. I’ve just this second got off the phone for my first councilling  session so I think that’s a positive step. 
I agree I think I need to completely separate myself from gambling and I’m not going to be half arsed about this I’m pretty determined. I should easily have my own house etc by now but gambling has taken that away from me. 
again thanks! 

 
Posted : 14th August 2020 3:19 pm

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