Stopping gambling - strategies

i self excluded myself today from 2 betting shops that i use all the time and im going to go to g.a. this week.

i guess its going to take a while to be able to say im not a gambler anymore but i hope this is a good start for me.

Is this the first time you've tried to stop Jim? Have you been to GA before? I know they have lots of groups out there and many people find it really helplful to have the support of other people who have had their own experiences of problem gambling.

Dear friend,

i am a recovering addict and my last bet was 07.01.2005.

I have attended ga in Stockport for the last 6 months on Tuesday night and they have been a fantastic help.

Try and get through the first 3 months and attend as meeting as poss.

Put barriers in your way, such as carry no money if possible,just for essentials, dont buy the morning paper with the races in them, get rid of your credit cards etc etc.

I dony know the extent of your problem but iam more than willing to listen and I will offer as much advice as I can.

Kind Regards

Noel

My problem is casino gambling - there is some great softwarfe I use which closes computer down if you go to a gambling site - I find this helps. Sure I can still goto cafe but this definitely helps.

Great idea this forum to know you are in the same boat as others

John

Please let me the know software to stop u entering casino please, I need for GA meet tonite if possible mate.

Regards

Noel

At GamCare we recommend Gamblock to quite a few people who are gambling online, it really does seem to work. Like you say, you could always go elsewhere, but it makes staying strong and avoiding urges that bit easier.

Great to hear it is working for you. Keep it up!!

I'm new to this, and may I say what a great idea, it's like gamblers anonymous but without the problem of having to attend a group...(which is hard for me as I have 2 children under 2). I have just become a single mum at 23, which is sad, because my youngest is just 4 weeks old. I am finding it hard, and take to internet gambling to take my mind off things. I have always been a gambler, not to the extreme though, I always have money for rent, and food, and my children are well provided for, but I am always overdrawn in my bank,...I cannot control my habit of online bingo! It is too addictive. Can anyone help me please?

also, to the right of my screen here, I have a list about forum etiquette, which is annoying me 'cos I cannot read all the posts!!! help?

I cannot remove the darn list lol

hi shaz

find the responsible gambling link on your bingo site and exclude yourself from playing, im sure its hard with 2 kids on your own but

why not get yourself some puzzle books, addictive in there own way

but cheap and lots of fun.

k x

Hi Noel,it sounds as if GA is really working for you.Long may it continue.

Hi Shaz, not sure what is causing problems with you not being able to see the whole screen. Have you got the page maximized? Perhaps you could play with the screen resolution (Start - Control Panel - Display - Settings) to see if this helps.

If you'd like to talk more about getting your bingo under control have a think about contacting teh helpline on 0808 8020 133

Kim, Ian, welcome to the Forum. I like the puzzle book idea Kim.

Excluding yourself from an addictive behaviour can prove difficult when the means to do so have to come from your own strength of willpower.

I reckon most of us can identify with this.

My addiction WAS fruit machines. At university in the student bar i used to lose a weeks worth of living expenses every night for about 3 months. I used to think my problem was that i had difficulty facing the fact that i couldn't win - but that wasn't the core of it.

If you recall when you first started gambling, and you first lost a significant amount of money, you will have probably said to yourself; 'screw this waste of time, i aint doing this again'. Or words to that effect.

At this time we were behaving LOGICALLY as realising something poses an unacceptable risk of loss and then wanting to avoid it is perfectly sensible. And yet we came back and lost more money, and more and more and more.

I am begining to understand why this is for many people.

Do you ever recall feeling bad in some way about anything none gambling related and then going to gamble to cheer yourself up. It never works but sometime we do exhibit behaviour that harmful to ourselves when we feel bad.

Therefore...

It isn't the gambling thats driving the compulsive behaviour.

It is in fact whatever caused us to feel bad in the first place.

--------------------------------

When i first came to university i was (or at least felt like) a bit of a social misfit. The feelings of isolation affected my logical behaviour patterns and set me on a course that would only have one outcome; Debt and Despair.

I could have aborted this at any time had i realised what was causing the gambling and made an effort to remedy it.

I have just ordered a highly acclaimed CD series on comedy conversation skills. It only cost one days worth of gambling. I cant wait till they arrive.

When i get back to university i'll be working so as to earn extra cash which will serve to repay debts and the rest i'll spend on cool stuff for my flatroom. They'll be no desire to gamble when i get so much satisfaction and joy from other areas of life.

I urge everybody reading this to just go around for a day just totally being themselves and loving every minute of it. I guarantee it will bring more excitement that all of your gambling wins totalled together.

Good luck, and keep posting.

Great post Tom! Welcome to the Forum and keep in touch with how you are getting on.

Hi Noel

Software is gamblock http://www.gamblock.com - aussie software costs around 30 us dollars - has been great for me. Not there yet. Give me a shout if you have any questions

john