Hi,
Come to the realization that its time i got out of this dark circle of sports gambling online having done this for the last 15 years, with about £10k worth of debt and no savings. I have banned myself from all gambling sites last year, however this hasn't helped, i managed to use my friends account and pay through apple pay and also use an account from my work colleague. Day in day out i think about the football on tv and placing a bet however thing ive noticed which is strange is when i win and say £XXX i dont find it fun and find myself lost in to what to do with it and within the next 24 hours it would be all gone..
i have a young family and i need to stop throwing money away as if its not real!
i really do want to stop and want to change my life for the better... but what do i do?? i find the betting to accessible and do alot of it because of boredom especially in this current climate.. dont get me wrong im not making excuses,
i want to stop and would welcome any good methods to help.
Stay safe everyone, thanks
Hi I’m on the first step of my Journey aswell today I’ve spoke with gamcare on the phone who have gave me some wonderful advice and have gave me some hope. You can self exclude yourself from every single gambling site you are on and will not be able to play on any new ones it will ask you for all the email addresses you use to gamble you can do this via gamstop also may be worth talking to someone your doctor or gamcare as they can refer you to your local support places to get further help
all the best on your Journey
Youve completed step one and accepted you have a problem onwards and upwards now 🙂
Hello @spuggy27,
Thank you for sharing your post and for being so honest about how you are feeling.
It sounds like your family are really important to you and are a big motivation for your recovery. Recovery is possible and sometimes taking some small steps can see your recovery progress. Have you thought about any hobbies or interests that you could do to take the focus away from gambling. This would add some fulfilment and enjoyment into your journey of recovery.
As I am sure you will find the forum is a great place for peer support with lots of advice, support and encouragement to help you with your journey.
Can I suggest that you contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.
Keep posting and sharing
Regards
Dan
Forum Admin
Hi spuggy27 and xjaydee1x,
Thanks for sharing your story with the forum.
I have a few suggestions for you guys:
1. Understand and accept that if you continue to gamble, you will lose more money as well as friends, family, house, and more. The only way to win at gambling is not to play.
2. Find a healthy replacements for your gambling such as short walks, reading, DIY, learning a new language etc Hobbies that interest you and doesn't hurt you financially, emotionally, and spiritually.
3. Gambling urges do come and go: when you have a gambling urge, go and watch some Utube clips such as Only Phil.
4. Sign up with Gam ban and self exclude for maximum time of 5 years.
5. Most banks and credit cards are now banning gambling transactions, especially Monzo is the first bank to bar gambling transactions. You may need someone close or dear to you to after your finance.
I hope this helps.
Xoi
Ps stay sane, safe, calm, and take one day at a time
Sounds exactly like me!!
win big money don’t know what do with it end up losing it plus getting in more debt stupid!! So what I’ve done set up with my dad and partner that my wages get sent to them on pay day and they just send me 200 each week
that way I will never have more than 200 pound each week which is food food shopping petrol take away weekend park with my daughter
Hi Spuggy and welcome to the forum.
What happens now is you take some deep breaths and do some thinking about what it really takes to make this addiction cower.
Facing the truth should actually lift your spirits when you are truly ready to stop this,
The truth is you have no effective blocks if you can just use your friends account. The truth is these "friends" arent helping you and you dont need a circle of frinds who are gamblers.
The truth is that gambling is a mugs game and a drug addiction. As you mention the drug is the gambling feeling not the money. The drug for me was watching the "bonus" feature and I would actually be on a downer if the money came too quickly. I had no idea what to do with the money other than returning to gamble as soon as possible.
The key is telling people close and starting to get your self respect, dignity and control of your life back.
The addiction has altered your mind to a delusional state. You need to reach out for help and finally realise this takes more than just your willpower.
Focus! You are better than gambling and dont need it in your life.
Focus! Look what its done to you! Its done thet to millions of others so where is the income scheme or free money??. It will do that to you again and again on the road to hell. You have handed all that hard earned money to the gambling dens and show all the signs of being a heavy addict.
You can change your life...no excuses...But you can never be complacent again...Talk about it and reach out for more help!
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
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