Entering the Unknown...

Hi Luke,

Have you got any blocks/ measures in place, prevention is key in case u have an urge

If you havent already sign up to gamstop

theres also banks that can block gambling transactions..

financial support for any debt I advice speaking to step change 

Also gamcare offer cbt or counselling definitely helps.

First step was recognising you have a problem and second step is wanting to change so your on the right track.

Just cant emphasise the blocks enough so if u have a bad day it makes it harder to turn to gambling. 

Loulou x

Hi Luke44. 

Firstly, thank you for sharing your story here. I am sure that you will get lots of valuable support and advice form our other forum users.

It sounds as if gambling has had a huge effects on many parts of your life and that you are ready to stop before it gets too out of hand. I am glad you have reached out here for support.

As LouLou says, there is a huge network out there that can help with this. I know the future feels scary right now but you aren't in this alone. 

Please feel free to contact the helpline on 0808 8020 133 or use our Livechat and one of our advisers can talk through options for you.  We are here 24/7.

Keep posting.

Rebecca 

Forum Admin.

Hi Luke

Just to emphasise what loulou said really, the only way this works is putting blocks in place. The harsh reality is you've gone into debt and gone back to it even though it's only single times.

Even if you pulled out a win to get yourself out if debt, it only masks the problem and you'd go back. I'd recommend gamstop for 5 years which is completely free and hopefully you can block transactions on your card.

While you're in this moment of recognising that you have a problem it's time to embrace it and do the maximum that you can to put things in place so it doesn't spiral out of control

Packer

Hi all thanks for the advice.

i have already put gamstop on a couple of weeks back.

Not feeling the urge to gamble at the moment, but the debt is getting to me. Constant worrying about paying it back

L

Hi Luke have a look at the website step change and give them a ring.

There financial advice is amazing there a charity helping people in debt. They can look at your budget and help you work out the best and quickest way to pay off your debt.

I got multiple loads credit cards etc in multiple debts with different company's and Bill's they set up a debt management plan where I pay one amount to them and they split it between people I owe it tells me the exact date my debt will be paid off..I stopped getting letters demanding money as step change wrote to them all for me. It worth even just having a look at their website. 

Loulou x

Hi the debt is the reminder of why gambling is bad, treat it like that then when u have paid it off think of it as the best money u spent.  Interest rates are super low at no and ur super young so its a good lesson to learn at a young age when you can recover.  Just think if u learnt this lesson at 70 years of age how would you recover, it would be a lot harder.  Think of the positives.  One quote I read from a gamblers perspective.  Try not to look back too much it causes depression, try not to look forward too much it makes you anxious, look to you're present it makes you calm.  With this I think keeping to thinking about what you can achieve in the day u are in and keeping life simple helps for motivation and peace of mind.  The day at a time approach .  all the best see u in chat adam

Evening,

I can fully recommend what people are saying above.

Stepchange have helped so much to allow the debt to be paid back. In my situation it allowed me to focus on my addiction and not my debt.

Best

Thanks for all the words of wisdom everyone it has been a real help.

i will look in to step change and am also thinking of reading Allen Carr’s book.

I will keep you posted of my progress, in the mean time take care.

L

Hi all

Thought id revisit.

11 days gamble free which is great. Not getting many urges to gamble and all of the blocks helping greatly.

Next month, if all goes to plan, I can start paying my debts off and start looking forward.

The crucial point for me will be payday. This is always the point where I relapse and P**s most of my wages away. Hoping to do better this month.

Whilst feeling relatively okay at the moment, does anyone have any advice on how the urges will weaken/strengthen in the future & what I can do to combat?

I am concerned that I will become lax in the future and start thinking this isn’t a problem...will this always be a problem?

All the best.