[Dg2018]

Hi all,

 

I’ve been on the GT site on and off for a year now, wondering and pondering whether I actually had a gambling problem. Reading people’s Journals can be really inspiring and it was finally yesterday that the penny dropped and there is no question that I am a gambling addict. Yesterday, was the last time I place a bet.

I have a lost a fortune over the last 12 months and am addressing my debts of just over 10k – all because of gambling. I’m going to be an active member now on this website. I will update my journal daily and play an active role on discussion groups etc. I am now 24 hours without a bet…here’s to day 2….

[charles]

Hello DG2018 and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[Dg2018]

Thank you for your reply SaraJ 🙂 I’m so pleased that I have taken this step forwards and will be approaching this addiction head on to over come it…My vice has always been online slots predominantly but have used FOBT’s in betting stores to feed my addicition when I had self excluded from them. I am excited for a gamble free future…

[Dg2018]

Well today is day 2 for me. I walked past a bookies with £400 in my pocket and a massive urge to just “pop my head in the door”. Thank fully I managed to resist and deposit the money in to my bank account.
The easiest thing for me to do would be to surrender my finances to a loved one, however, after a lot of thought I have decided not to do this. I know this will probably go against the grain of what people suggest and have done in the past but if I am to beat this I want to do this with only myself to depend upon. Day 2 is nearly done and dusted….. here’s to another day of not gambling.

[Johnny B]

Welcome to the Forums….I agree with Sara that it is important to hit this head on. Many of us would not be able to stop without surrendering our finances. Turning over my finances is the only thing that has kept me from “just playing a little”…which we all know becomes a massive blow up. I wish you the best in your recovery…Just remember, the pain goes away eventually, and that is when we think it is okay to play again because we can be in control! Then the blow ups become worse and worse…I am not one to tell somebody what they can and cannot do….all I can say is tread carefully my friend!
Johnny B

[i-did-it]

Hi DG,
Well done on recognising that you have a problem and on seeking help . It is really hard to surrender your money and it is something I have never really fully embraced – it is also interesting to note that I am on GT for almost a decade and still struggle .
I have been gamble free for there months .
If I had handed over control all those years ago who knows what I could have achieved?
Sometimes the urge creep up on me ! Sometimes willpower isn’t enough or isn’t strong enough .

Well done on your gamble free time and on Laing that bank deposit

[i-did-it]

Edit *Making that bank deposit

[Dg2018]

Evening all. . a quick update from me to say day 3 has gone well overall. A few urges as expected but here’s to another day bet free. .

[i-did-it]

Well done DG

the first days are the hardest !

Keep strong

[Johnny B]

Just missed you in Chat… maybe next time!

[Dg2018]

A very, very tough day today. A broken car hasn’t helped matters and gives me the feeling I want to go online and try and win the money for it. However, the urge, the big urge was resisted and I raise a glass (double concentrate Orange Squash) to another day of being gambling free. Here’s to tomorrow. . .

[Johnny B]

Hello Dg2018

I am reminded of my situation as I read your thread.  The point of my recovery where I felt most proud, was when I had $1000 car repair dropped in my lap.  I too had the urge to go “win” enought to pay for it…However, in this instance, I had not been gambling for over 3 months…I acutally had the money in savings to pay for the repair…Novel thought, don’t piss it away, and we have it when we need it….I still think it would have been fun to “win” it …but I guarantee, that I would have  lost and probably still needed to have my car fixed…

Anyway, small victories, no matter how trivial help us in many ways…. This is a marathon and not a sprint!

Best wishes

Johnny B

[velvet]

Hi DG
I liked your post of last week where you write ‘A few urges as expected’ as though you were travelling down a road and coming across a pothole or two but you were not surprised them, in fact you expected to see them and so you were ready and able to take evasive action.
It sounded a really cool approach and worked well for you.
The broken car was the latest pothole and you didn’t fall in. Keep your mind open to the fact there will be more obstacles, but above all enjoy the gamble-free view as you go.
Well done
Velvet

[camos1976]

I have a gambling problem and has grew into deep financial problems. There is a couple of things I have done such as getting payday loans and maxing out credit cards to go play at casino or gamble online. This is the 2nd time I have done this and lied about it to my wife. She isn’t happy with me at the moment but who can blame her. The trust is broken. I have to ask what people have done to help themselves get back on track financially. I am in a debt settlement program that I’m not sure if that’s the way to go or not. I can’t get a regular loan because of credit issues. I can get payday loans for 1000 dollars or so but I cant do anymore of those. So I am not sure what to do and I’m in the whole in my bank account. So if anyone has any suggestions please fill free to comment. Thank you.

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