Just came here and realised I made an account 2 years ago.. and changed my gambling free days again to 0. I find it as an escape from reality and obviously the feeling of winning is exciting too. Gamblers will always find a way .. you can block everything , gove people your money but there is always a way around it. I'm at the point now where I'm just tired of losing and really wish I had something better to do with my time . No job and no pay since last year, all savings gone and all I can think is turning what little money I have into something more . Came here to read some successful stories to see if it helps .
Hi Shadow87,
Thank you for coming back to get support and inspiration from others in recovery. You may also pick up some tips on how others fill the void when they are not gambling. Also, we have a lot of free treatment options including GameChange which is a computerized course and very explorative, and based on cognitive behavioral therapy. There is also shared stories of people we have helped on our website. If you want to know more feel free to contact us on the helpline or LiveChat.
Best Wishes
Fiona
Forum Admin
It's a difficult time. You just have to try. The addiction is so hard to beat. One thing I find when I stop for a bit is that your interests in other things start becoming more. Ever so slowly sometimes and it's a huge help. For example I love playing my guitar but when I'm gambling, I don't play near as enough but when I'm not gambling, I naturally play it more and it makes me feel so good that I'm spending my time doing something amazing and worthwhile.
"Gamblers will always find a way .. you can block everything , give people your money but there is always a way around it."
That sentence alone has had me in tears. As someone on the receiving end of a gambler's addiction and trying everything I can to help and see a light at the end of the tunnel, to be told all my hard work is in vain has just crushed me.
The only thing keeping me going is the possibility that this nightmare will be over. My children need their father. How will they ever truly have him in their lives if there is nothing that can be done?
Sorry to hear your circumstances bud but if you haven’t been paid and have no savings how are you getting by? Do you have to pay rent/bills?
My advice would be to close any bank accounts you have any transfer any income/existing funds to a family members account and allow them to manage your money. Make sure to put all of the blocks in place e.g. Gamban/Gamstop
All the best to you. Yeah like the guy who plays the guitar you need to find a hobby in life a meaning in life. And if you don't have that or can't think well you need to think harder. Think of what you enjoyed when you were young, think of dreams and ambitions you used to have but have talked yourself out of. You do need targets in life. People who don't have at least some targets will be unhappy but may not be gamblers, people like us you are gambling addicts will be unhappy like those other people but also gamble, it's c**P but there will only ever be two paths and we know which path is best or we wouldn't be here.
For the women in Wiltshere, I hear you are very concerned and If I can help I will. He didn't say there is no hope he said if anyone is in a gambling mindset they will find a way, so your husband needs to get out of the gambling mindset. If he does he will succeed, it might take a few goes. I'm guessing he hasn't fully admitted he has a problem or has always brushed things under the carpet and made false promises. He needs to engage on here, it can't be you being soley responsible.
"Gamblers will always find a way .. you can block everything , give people your money but there is always a way around it."
That sentence alone has had me in tears. As someone on the receiving end of a gambler's addiction and trying everything I can to help and see a light at the end of the tunnel, to be told all my hard work is in vain has just crushed me.
The only thing keeping me going is the possibility that this nightmare will be over. My children need their father. How will they ever truly have him in their lives if there is nothing that can be done?
Just to quote your post above, Any work you put into helping someone isn't in vain. There are success stories and people can put gambling down, some better than others but it comes down to the gambler. It's great you are doing what you can but the key lies with him.
The quote about gamblers will always find a way. It really just means that with all the blocks in the world in place, if someone wants to gamble then they will find a way. The bit that's missing from that is when most gamblers work a program of recovery, they don't want to gamble or they have some tools to help them get through the urge.
If he really wants to and works a proper programme then there is hope and a future. I would advocate for Gamblers anonyous and there is a great little GA meeting in Salisbury if he wants to go, Tuesdays at 7.00pm, but a program can be anything that you work and stick to that works for you/him.
Don't give up hope but don't put the success or failure on your shoulders. It's on his.
Don't dispair though, worse case scenario, there is life after a compulsive gambler. You can still have a good life, the kids can still have a father. It might take that pain of not being around for him to realise what he might lose.
Don't give up hope is my message really, but if he won't get help then look after yourself and your kids.
Chris.
"Gamblers will always find a way .. you can block everything , give people your money but there is always a way around it."
That sentence alone has had me in tears. As someone on the receiving end of a gambler's addiction and trying everything I can to help and see a light at the end of the tunnel, to be told all my hard work is in vain has just crushed me.
The only thing keeping me going is the possibility that this nightmare will be over. My children need their father. How will they ever truly have him in their lives if there is nothing that can be done?
Just to quote your post above, Any work you put into helping someone isn't in vain. There are success stories and people can put gambling down, some better than others but it comes down to the gambler. It's great you are doing what you can but the key lies with him.
The quote about gamblers will always find a way. It really just means that with all the blocks in the world in place, if someone wants to gamble then they will find a way. The bit that's missing from that is when most gamblers work a program of recovery, they don't want to gamble or they have some tools to help them get through the urge.
If he really wants to and works a proper programme then there is hope and a future. I would advocate for Gamblers anonyous and there is a great little GA meeting in Salisbury if he wants to go, Tuesdays at 7.00pm, but a program can be anything that you work and stick to that works for you/him.
Don't give up hope but don't put the success or failure on your shoulders. It's on his.
Don't dispair though, worse case scenario, there is life after a compulsive gambler. You can still have a good life, the kids can still have a father. It might take that pain of not being around for him to realise what he might lose.
Don't give up hope is my message really, but if he won't get help then look after yourself and your kids.
Chris.
Thank you, I needed to hear that.
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