[Raynor98k]

Hi Everyone,

 

I visit this site everyday, but haven’t posted in a while. I decided to start a new thread as I had a lot of good content in my last one, but I feel I wasn’t being completely honest with myself. 

My birthday was two weekends ago, and I gambled during that weekend. This was premedidated, and I am not so much upset about that incident as it was not impulsive, but I do feel it contributed

to my relapse. I gambled again on March 1st, 7 days ago. This was not premeditated, and 100% impulsive. It upset me the most because I am trying to establish values for myself, and one of my values

is to not act on anything instantly (unless it’s for survival). I also have goals to get out of debt and buy a house someday, and this set me further back. It was online through my phone as I have no blockers

set for that device. This wasn’t intentional, but I just felt that everything I looked at in terms of blocking software for mobile devices had very low ratings. Betfilter works great for my PC, and I am very happy with it,

but I could use some advice on how to stop myself from gambling online. Ideally, addicts or anyone wishing to exclude themself should just be able to fill out a universal exclusion form that all websites must comply

with, but that would be too easy now wouldn’t it. The saddest part about my relapse is that I actually hit a royal flush with my deposits, but I just couldn’t stop to withdraw. That’s not super surprising to me as I 

already know how hard it is to stop when you start, but I just wanted to bring this up in case anyone is trying to fool themselves. You can’t stop and you won’t stop. No more “if I just hit a big jackpot, that will be it.”

talk. In gambling, there is a victim and a thief. There is nothing innocent about it. Even when you win, you hurt others. There is no winning in this game.

 

I’m done. I have taken steps to make sure I can’t gamble in person, and it has worked fantastically. I even have had $200 cash on me for a week with zero urges or way to gamble and its felt great.

I’ve been experimenting with using cash to buy things, and I can tell you it has been a lot more effective than buying things with my debit card. I don’t even carry my credit cards anymore. They’re both expired and 

I shredded the new ones, so I just pay down the balances. I have set extremely strict limits on my debit card since the relapse, even asked Chase if there was anyway to block international transactions for the time being.

I mentioned to them I have a gambling addiction, and I am looking to prevent myself from getting money out of my account online. The girl I spoke to was no older than 20, and if I asked her what her favorite color

was, I’m pretty sure she would say 12, but I digress. Nothing could be done except limiting daily max atm withdrawls and spending.

 

I need a plan, but I already know I can gamble through my phone (already knew that). If there is a weakness, we will find it. Sometimes I think addicts would make fantastic hackers/detectives because of what we find.

I need something in place to prevent me from gambling on my phone, it is the weaklink in my fortress. I have a plan for next payday. I still need my $1000 emergency fund, so I am going to withdraw that the second I get

paid and put it in my safe. Having cash on me is not a problem right now, and I don’t see it being a problem as long as I can’t gamble in person. Any resources to prevent gambling online is worth it’s weight in gold to me right now.

Getting money online is just too easy. I’ll even destroy my debit card if that’s what it takes. I live 6 blocks away from my bank, so I could always go there to withdraw in person. Any suggestions/advice would be fantastic.

Thank you for listening.

 

–Nick

[charles]

Hi Raynor,

Here is a link to a page on this site which gives details about blocking software which includes software suitable for your phone.

Blockier- und Filtersoftware

I would agree with you that the planned gambling on your birthday made your unplanned gambling more likely to happen. The addiction is weaker when it is starved – throwing it the odd morsel just keeps it hungry for more and gives it the strength to find it. This is why the advice would always to be to avoid all gambling.

I would say the same thing about the lottery, don’t feed it.

[Anonymous]

If you are really serious about stopping, why dont you downgrade to a simple phone with no internet?

Are you still gambling on the lottery every day?

[Raynor98k]

Hi Charles,

 

Thank you for the resource. I actually went straight to this page when I found the website got updated. Most, if not all of these products have pretty bad reviews on Google/Apple Store, which made me hesitent to try them (I always look at reviews before buying). Are you familiar with any of them in regards to mobile

devices? Thanks

 

–Nick

[Raynor98k]

Hi Billy Bob,

 

I don’t think I can go without a smart phone. A lot of the work that I do is dependent on it, and I would say I am on it just as much as my regular PC. Not sure if this is an option.

 

In regards to the lottery, I do not play everyday, but I do see that even though it is not hurting me financially, it probably isn’t helping. It’s hard, we have a group pool at work, and I probably spend $2-$5 a week for that pool. We don’t go crazy, usually buy a couple tickets a week. We’re a pretty small office of 6 people, so it is a little hard to avoid. That being said, I am willing to do anything to prevent myself from emptying my bank account through these stupid online garbage sites. The worst part about all this is that my information has to be on at least 30 sites by now (including Social Security number), and that’s a little scary when I think about it.

 

–Nick

[i-did-it]

Hi Nick I have the  will-power  of a newt and  I am gamble free currently thanks to betfilter on my phone . It is quite complicated to set up – because you have to block every site that can possibly allow internet access . For example after I installed it I discovered I could gamble on my Pinterest app. (Will power of newt does not apply to finding a way to gamble ). Nick , I could not rmanage without my smartphone – I need access to emails , to viber , to Facebook etc . My social life , family life and work life depends on these . I have betfilter – is my phone as good as it was ? No! Is it still functional as an iPhone – yes ! Have I gambled this year – No! Have I tried – yes four hours sometimes but could not get past the filter. The planned gambling may have contributed to your relapse -thisnis a journey however , and you have learned from this . No amount of lecturing could have taught you this lesson- with this addiction it seems that some lessons we just have to learn through experience – (that’s how it has been for me anyway ). Cash always works for me too as I do not visit casinos – . You are very honest with yourself Nick – you are self aware – and I have no doubt that you will beat this addiction . Well done on your honest post . Keep posting !

[i-did-it]

Excuse typos – would not allow edit !

[charles]

Hi Nick, I have never gambled online and haven’t used a blocker myself. I know many who they have helped though. I think I did it has given you some great info on that front. When it comes to the lottery poo at work I found that “I have decided not to do it anymore” worked very well. Lots of people decide not to gamble, for lots of reasons. No one at work knows that I have a gambling addiction, they have long since stopped asking me to join lottery syndicates, sweepstakes on sporting events etc

[finding_laura]

Hi Nick, how are you doing?

were you able to get that software blocker installed on your phone? You have been very supportive and inspirational here with your plan and your $1000 emergency fund. The fact that you had one when you relapsed is a good sign. Also looking for every available barrier and way to avoid gambling is a good sign. At a certain point it only brings pain not pleasure and you are realizing this. You will get this! Just don’t give up on yourself or your recovery. Take care! Hope you are well.
Laura

[Author]

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