ex and would be ex-gamblers support thread

softngentle

Well, I'm back...... and guess what? Have stuffed up again.

Have been gambling over the last few weeks and getting myself into lots of financial mess. Juggled the cash so much now that it's all come crashing down. Can't pay my DMP this month, again. Feel sure that CCCS are going to stop working with me now, as I have only made 1 payment in 4 months and I was on a sort of final warning with them before I missed this last month (still not had the guts to phone them yet). Does anyone have any experience of dealing with creditors, did you admit the debt was caused by gambling? Any repercussions? When I first started working with CCCS I admitted my debt was because of gambling but they skirted over the issue and put something like 'overcomittment on credit' for the reason of debt.

Have only just plucked up the courage to open a letter that was from a creditor that I had received almost a week ago, was thinking they were going for a ccj, but the debt has just been passed through to their litigation dept to deal with, I figure its last chance salloon with this debt before it does go to ccj?

One valuable thing I have learnt out of all this though is that enough really is enough! Have closed all my gaming accounts online and got a temporary gamblock thing on (will pay for real one when I have the money).

Its a bit strange really, I'm sitting here crapping myself due to the financial situation I'm in, but also aware that for the first time I have really taken proper steps by blocking my access to gambling.

GeorgeUK

I'm glad you are taking steps to deal with this SNG. You know you have an addiction, but you can't escape from it until you start to take steps to reduce your exposure. Seems you've finally done that, but what next?

You said before you were at your lowest, but now you've gambled again. It's going to take alot of willpower and awareness of how you coping or not coping with different things to keep you away from the gambling. It is possible to do it, but you need to work through the steps of why you gamble and when you are most likely to gamble. This will allow you to prepare yourself better against further temptations.

Creditors don't really care why you are in debt. All they care about at the end of the day is that they get their money. I think your only option right now would be to write a letter to each of your creditors along with a £1 token payment stating that payment through CCCS will resume next month. Inform CCCS that you are making payments to the creditors but will have enough funds in your account to meet the DMP payments next month. That's about all you could do i think. Can't see that you have any other option.

buddiebabe

Hey

Sorry i've not been around here much lately but have been trying to keep myself busy to stop the urge to gamble. I haven't gambled for a while now but am really started to get tempted again.... it's all the adverts on the tv for bingo that are really getting to me.... join us and we'll give you this free... and deposit this and you'll get this for nothing.... oh its so easy. I actually found myself opening up a new bingo account just so i could email them and ask them to exclude me from it!!! I know it sounds stupid but i felt like it was the only way i could do it without actually gambling! I have gamblock on my pc but not on the laptop which i don't usually have access to but my boyfriend has let me use now and again. I know i haven't actually gambled again but i feel that temptation is there.... i only really feel like this when im worried about finding money to pay the bills.... part of me keeps thinking if only.... the other part of me is screaming dont be so stupid... or words to that effect!!!!

One of the biggest things that keeps me going at the moment is that my debt is going down its a really slow process but im getting there. I also had some money left from xmas and my birthday and for the first year i was actually able to spend it on me and not on gambling

Im just taking it one day at a time... its all i can do

Buddiebabe x

riquelme

SNG - you need to put things in place that actually stop you gambling. self exclusion, gamblock access to money. have a read through this thread over the last few pages it may help. pop over to the debt board someone may be able to expand on what george has said regarding payments

buddie - thyats great news, so pleased for you, dont get complacent, the next bet could be just around the corner. be strong.

today i havent gambled, tomorrow i will get up and say to myself that i will not gamble

buddiebabe

riquelme wrote: »

buddie - thyats great news, so pleased for you, dont get complacent, the next bet could be just around the corner. be strong.

today i havent gambled, tomorrow i will get up and say to myself that i will not gamble

The biggest worry is when im in the house alone... im fed up seeing all the advertising for gambling like its such a fun thing to do and everyone should be doing it.... it gets me so angry :mad: I know its always going to be a struggle for me but im getting there... every day i don't gamble is a day closer to my debt free date

I will not gamble today... tomorrow... or the next day

Buddiebabe x

skint,single_mum_of_4

I DID IT

installed gamelock,the free trail for now !
The worse thing is keepin myself occupied,been 4 days now since i installed it.
ive started walking etc anything to get out of the house.i get bored and theres certain days that ive always put aside for my internet bingo playin,mondays (half day at work) evenins,sat afternoon etc need to find something to do instead..ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGG

skint,single_mum_of_4

buddiebabe wrote: »

The biggest worry is when im in the house alone... im fed up seeing all the advertising for gambling like its such a fun thing to do and everyone should be doing it.... it gets me so angry :mad: I know its always going to be a struggle for me but im getting there... every day i don't gamble is a day closer to my debt free date

I will not gamble today... tomorrow... or the next day

Buddiebabe x

Know how u feel,think ive been on every free bingo site going,its all a con !
When i think of the time and money i have wasted !..oh and the hope of havin a big win !..if i won a few thousand it probably would only cover what i have lost and more money gone trying to win !

how long have you not gambled for...well done !

skint,single_mum_of_4

softngentle wrote: »

Well, I'm back...... and guess what? Have stuffed up again.

Have been gambling over the last few weeks and getting myself into lots of financial mess. Juggled the cash so much now that it's all come crashing down. Can't pay my DMP this month, again. Feel sure that CCCS are going to stop working with me now, as I have only made 1 payment in 4 months and I was on a sort of final warning with them before I missed this last month (still not had the guts to phone them yet). Does anyone have any experience of dealing with creditors, did you admit the debt was caused by gambling? Any repercussions? When I first started working with CCCS I admitted my debt was because of gambling but they skirted over the issue and put something like 'overcomittment on credit' for the reason of debt.

Have only just plucked up the courage to open a letter that was from a creditor that I had received almost a week ago, was thinking they were going for a ccj, but the debt has just been passed through to their litigation dept to deal with, I figure its last chance salloon with this debt before it does go to ccj?

One valuable thing I have learnt out of all this though is that enough really is enough! Have closed all my gaming accounts online and got a temporary gamblock thing on (will pay for real one when I have the money).

Its a bit strange really, I'm sitting here crapping myself due to the financial situation I'm in, but also aware that for the first time I have really taken proper steps by blocking my access to gambling.

I too have had enough and installed gameblock.Have u been over to the DMP board ? there great there and really helped me. I can remember that feelin of despair worring about what was goin to happen to me.Perhaps it might be better not to mention the gambling thing,maybe they might see this as a bad thing and think your not committed to pay off yr debts,i'm not sure go and ask on DMP thread !
I hope you get it sorted as its enough tryin to cope with an addiction like gambling believe me i know !

cantcope

well done to everyone who's installed gamblock recently. it really will help. use the money you'd put aside for gambling against any debt you might have or little treats for you and your family.

riquelme

great a few positive stories, well done everyone, keep it up.