Not holding my breath but I'm giving it go

Hi, firstly welcome and well done for contacting gamcare. As you say 25 years is a long time but by speaking to the advisors you have made the vital first step of stopping. Everyone on here is searching for the same answer, how to live without this evil that takes over our lives. I'm sure you will have read other peoples stories and realised there are so many of us with so much in common.

Don't know how you gamble but if its online have you put blocks in place like registering with Gamstop and putting a blocker on your phone and other devices.

I contacted Gamcare after being found out after keeping my addiction secret for 5 years. They have been amazing and I have now had 4 counselling sessions which have really helped. Being able to talk to someone about everything with no judgement is a really good feeling and today I am 52 days gamble free which is crazy after what I have lost over the last 5 years.

You will find people on here will support you and that will hopefully help you on your journey to be gamble free.

Stay positive, this is day 1, think of the benefits to you and your loved ones of not gambling

Good luck ??

Thanks Blades, it means a lot, Ive kept my gambling a secret for 25 years, the web of lies I have told to friends, family and work makes me feel sick.

Same here but nowhere near as long as you. I don't have access to any money now as my wife has taken over all finances, taken my cards and changed all login details on accounts which may sound drastic but it needed to be done.

I have registered with Gamstop and put Betblocker on my phone, both for 5 years so with no money and blocks in place cannot be tempted although now my secret is out I have no urge to chase the losses before being caught.

My main focus now is to try and save my marriage of over 30 years and gain back the trust of my family.

Just take it 1 day at a time 

Hi Josephaustin and welcome to the forum.

That a vital key point you make that "its become an acceptance"

Its an addiction thats gets into our bones and Ive seen so many addicts in bookies that just think its normal behaviour. They act like the non gamblers are the squares and the losers but the truth is the reverse of that. They act as if they are superior to non gamblers as its all about justifying an addiction they dont understand

I remember having a mini breakdown because I was losing hundreds again. The reaction of the other gamblers was basically to tell me to shut up and stop moaning. One guy gave a lecture on being a man as he seemed  proud to say he had lost thousands in a day. They didnt want me bursting their bubble as deep down they knew it was all false

Ive seen exactly the same behaviour with heroin addicts who talk as if they are the normal ones and everyone else are the sad squares

Thats what addiction does. It twists the mind until we dont know what is real any longer. Its memories like that that keeps me gamble free. I never want to be in that atmosphere again or near those gamblers.

Its an addiction that keeps people in its grip for decades if not a lifetime. I can only hope that something sparks a realisation that they have a serious problem. Tragically that often takes a rock bottom moment they can no longer see a way out of. Thats why a gambling addiction is a devastating killer. It keeps people drip fed on the last chance saloon feeling

You can do this. You are waking up now! tell people close for there is no shame in being truthful about it.

With blocks and cold turkey you mind will heal. You can never be complacent again but you will find a peace of mind and serenity. I promise that you will begin to wonder why you ever gambled for so long

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Posted by: Joydivider

Hi Josephaustin and welcome to the forum.

That a vital key point you make that "its become an acceptance"

Its an addiction thats gets into our bones and Ive seen so many addicts in bookies that just think its normal behaviour. They act like the non gamblers are the squares and the losers but the truth is the reverse of that. They act as if they are superior to non gamblers as its all about justifying an addiction they dont understand

I remember having a mini breakdown because I was losing hundreds again. The reaction of the other gamblers was basically to tell me to shut up and stop moaning. One guy gave a lecture on being a man as he seemed  proud to say he had lost thousands in a day. They didnt want me bursting their bubble as deep down they knew it was all false

Ive seen exactly the same behaviour with heroin addicts who talk as if they are the normal ones and everyone else are the sad squares

Thats what addiction does. It twists the mind until we dont know what is real any longer. Its memories like that that keeps me gamble free. I never want to be in that atmosphere again or near those gamblers.

Its an addiction that keeps people in its grip for decades if not a lifetime. I can only hope that something sparks a realisation that they have a serious problem. Tragically that often takes a rock bottom moment they can no longer see a way out of. Thats why a gambling addiction is a devastating killer. It keeps people drip fed on the last chance saloon feeling

You can do this. You are waking up now! tell people close for there is no shame in being truthful about it.

With blocks and cold turkey you mind will heal. You can never be complacent again but you will find a peace of mind and serenity. I promise that you will begin to wonder why you ever gambled for so long

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Thanks for that, yes this is true. I am at that stage now where I have tried everything over the years and have just come to the point where basically there is no enjoyment left in it. I dont even get that buzz anymore its exactly like you said like herion adict just exsisting. The only thing that makes it worse for us is on the outside nobody can see the effects of the drug as you can with herion. When on the inside it eats away at you until you become numb. 

Yesterday was the first day in 25 years where I have been able to afford to gamble but decided not to, sounds like a very small step for someone with such large problem it seems like a big one to me.