ex and would be ex-gamblers support thread

cantcope

Dont be ashamed TMoose. Chances are he's noticed you have a problem. I think if you ask they have self exclusion forms you can fill in.

Really pleased to hear you've installed gamblock. I'm guessing that was from your months wages. ouch.

Remember how you feel ready for next month. And post on here if you are tempted. We'll do our best to distract you from those thoughts x

riquelme

moose, get yourself down there as soon as it opens, less people in there for you to feel embarassed. try and get to your nearest meeting of GA, get gamblock. you need to start making changes or this will never end.

if you stop things can only get better if you dont well you will have these feelings for the rest of your life. best wishes

Jimby509

Hi. I tried the trial version of gamblock and even though the trial has ended it is still blocking gambling sites! It is great, I have £70 in my bank account and I know it is not going to be wasted in moments of madness on online casinos.... It is like a weight of my shoulders, I am really starting to see addiction for what it really is now!

cantcope

Thats great news Jimby. It does tend to run over for a bit, this happens on the bought version too. Make sure you get the full version once it runs out. You've already seen the benefits.
Keep it up and well done for not gambling x

riquelme

hows everyone doing? having a good easter weekend? 7 months abstinence here. tempted to have a bet on the footy today but going to keep myself occupied with the kids then going to watch a game later.

hope everyone is staying strong.

life is so much better without gambling.

cantcope

Hi Riquel. I love the last line on your post

I did something new on saturday for a few hours. I manned the GA helpline. Was so rewarding knowing that i was helping people. I really felt like i was giving something back to all the people who help me on my road to recovery.
The rest of the weekend has been spent catching up with friends and much needed sleep.

I am going on holiday in 2 weeks, something i couldnt have done if i were still gambling. I am so looking forward to it. Just a week away in the sun. I just have to steer clear of the hotels bingo for half an hour in the evening. I'm going with family though so it shouldnt be a problem.

I noticed the last time i went away i was bombarded with opportunities, Bookies and arcades at the airport, scratchcards on the plane and then bingo and raffles at the hotel!! It's not easy but i know, just one small bet could lead to disaster as i have no control.

I hope everyone had a great bet free weekend and are feeling strong and proud xx

skint,single_mum_of_4

Hi everyone

Ive been lurking for awhile (to embarressed to post) i have a prob with online gambling.
It Started about 2 yrs ago,it started out of pure boredom.i'd play online bingo just 10p tickets etc ,£10 would last me ages and only did it about once or twice a week.Well now i can spend £50-75 a week and not just bingo but the slots too,sometimes on a bad day i can do £50 in an hour !.This is a lot of money for me as i only work 30hrs a week and the rest is topped up with working tax credits,my daughter gives me £200 a month for her bored too.
The thing is i was doing really well. I left my abusive husband(well the police helped me) and started a new life with my kids.Things were very hard but i was free.I got a job and stated rebuilding my life .I had big debts(weren't mine,were my ex's but were in my name ) then when i left him i had to add to theses debts because i needed deposit to rent a house and beds and stuff(left him with nothing) i. I came on here and was told about CCCS i contacted them and went on DMP this was a load off as i was really worried and couldn't afford even minimum payments.So all going ok,Job,debts under control and even came on here regular to learn about budgets and stuff.
Thing is with my new found freedom came boredom,my kids are age 12-22 and are out all the time,ive got no mates(wasn't allowed when i was married) had nothing to do at night.Also i suffer abit with Depression & Anxiety so this doesnt help.
Ive got no credit card as on DMP so i got myself a prepaid credit card and i'd put money on it to play online.
Today i cut it up !..i feel so bad,so guilty,so ashamed ! i'd been good all week(been really trying lately) then yesterday blew another £50.I always pay my bills,rent,dmp etc never missed a payment yet but the money i'm spending should be used to make our life better,days out,clothes for the kids,still not got my eldest daughter her birthday present.My kids are going without because i'm gamblin away our spare money.Thing is i budget really well,can make great meals on very little.Its stupid....

I'M SAVING PENNYS AND GAMBLING AWAY POUNDS !

Well i cut my card up..can't do this anymore !

My son's have been away,one at his mates in France and the other went to my sisters up North,my eldest daughter been in Paris for a break.They all come back tomorrow.That £50 was suppose to be used to do something when they got back,Go for something to eat etc ..but this stupid cow has gambled it away...

Sorry if ive gone on about,you know what this feels good,owning up and gettin it off my chest. not told anyone else,way to ashamed !

Just think what i could of done with all that money ive wasted away ?


Hope yr all doin ok x x x

skint,single_mum_of_4

Last week i drove for miles to another supermarket because the washin powder i use was BOGOF..then came home and did £50 in on the bingo !..this is mad,i'm mad !

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skint,single_mum_of_4 wrote: »

Last week i drove for miles to another supermarket because the washin powder i use was BOGOF..then came home and did £50 in on the bingo !..this is mad,i'm mad !

Hi there

sorry to hear what you're going through. I have read that what you've said above is very typical - you're not alone! Somehow people manage to disassociate the money they're spending on gambling to not be real ie: if you have a tenner in your purse, you can touch it, feel it and you know what it will buy... you'll do whatever you have to do to make it stretch as far as possible...£50 online doesn't feel like real money, it's just a few seconds on the keyboard and then clicks on the mouse..

You've called yourself a stupid cow - I know you feel down and very very bad but you've been through a lot so give yourself a break - everyone is allowed to make mistakes. You could start by writing in a notebook in BIG BOLD LETTERS what you would like to do with the money - things for you and your kids - and when the feeling comes over to do bingo or slots - open that book and read what you've written - recognise you feel this way and why you're not going to put money in your bingo account. Turn the computer off and phone a family member or pop on the tv, have a cuppa tea - anything until the feeling goes. Keep saying in your head what you're going to use the money for, for your kids and you to have a better life.

Now you're away from your hubby - concentrate on making friends. Is there a group in your local area you can join, a walking group or just a mother's get together? Shake off the barriers your ex put in place and smash through them, you've got your whole life ahead of you now - you can do what you want, you're in control!

Recognise just how far you've come!

The only winners from bingo etc.. sites are the sites themselves...

Good luck (hugs).

X

skint,single_mum_of_4

Thanks for yr reply

yr so right ,it does'nt feel like real money at all (untill u lose it).i would'nt dream of takin £50 and goin down to my local bingo and blowin it yet i don't think twice about blowin it on line.i do draw money out of my account and top up my prepaid credit card with it,but i don't think about it i just do it.
My eldest son is into skating gear,he's always asking for stuff but i refuse to buy it as it cost a fortune.He could have a wardrobe full of it with what ive wasted on bloody bingo and slots !
I think yr advice about writing stuff down is a good one.Ive got a nice note book that i got for xmas and has'nt been used ,gonna start writing stuff in there,ive got alot of making up todo.wish i had family and friends around me,i could just pop round for a cuppa when i got the urge !