One day at a time - support thread for compulsive gamblers.

andyfromotley

Morning all.

Thanks ally and hello.

All CG's are only ever one day away from a bet. Thats why we have to live it ODAAT.I hope everyone is good and staying bet free today.

rockm87

Well done Andy, lovely idea. I'm not a CG but I too think it is a good idea for some forum support.

scott_parker

Hi all

I have finally admitted to myself that I am a compulsive gambler. I always told myself I wasnt an addict, as I could easily go a week without gambling. My problem was when I did, I would spend hundreds if not thousands in the space of a couple of hours playing slots online. Strangely enough, I have not been in a casino or bookies for years, but it is just so easy now to pick up a laptop.

I have decided that after getting myself into over £12,000 worth of debt, I now need to do something about it. I have self excluded myself from every gambling site that I have an account with, and am determined to pay off my debts and start a fresh.

I am glad you have created this thread, as it makes me and others with the problem realise that we are not the only ones suffering from this, and that we can get through it.

Good luck to everyone.

Jono987

Great idea in making this thread! I was a CG for years but finally thought enough was enough in January of this year. My lowest point was probably Christmas eve 2014 when i gambled away all my wages + my bonus from work! I ran up around 12k in debt.

Since January i have managed to pay off around 3K and still see a counsellor every fourtnight but finally think i have it beaten! I go for a pint quite often and dont even put any money in the bandits anymore whereas before i used to buy one drink then put the rest of my money it in!

andyfromotley

Scott - hi. Well done. admitting the problem is the first step. There is some pretty effective software that will stop you visiting any gambling related site. google to or PM me if you need the details. CG is a progressive illness in that it gets worse over time, so no doubt your gambling losses went up each time you returned to it. You are right, we're not alone and we can get through it!

Jono - Hi and welcome. Yup that must have been a fairly terrible christmas for you. I am glad you have seen the light and glad your counselling is working out for you. Keep it up mate.

Andy

andyfromotley

Hi Happy,
i don't really want to discuss the merits or otherwise of any gaming site on this thread. CG's cannot gamble, on any site, for any stakes. It would be helpful if you removed that post as i don't want people who come here for support in not gambling seeing recommendations for any site no matter how responsible. Thanks andy. :-)

Muhren

Hi my name is, well lets just say Muhren and I am a CG and I haven't had a bet since the 10/12/12. All my debts in my sig are from gambling, things got so bad that I took a load of pills as I couldn't see any way out. It was more a cry for help more than anything but if I can help just one person from getting to that point by posting here then I will be happy.

All the best to all theother CG's out there and if you are just starting out I would like to reassure that things will get easier if my experience is anything to go by so stick with it.

Muhren

andyfromotley wrote: »

Hi Happy,
i don't really want to discuss the merits or otherwise of any gaming site on this thread. CG's cannot gamble, on any site, for any stakes. It would be helpful if you removed that post as i don't want people who come here for support in not gambling seeing recommendations for any site no matter how responsible. Thanks andy. :-)

I second this suggestion to have the post removed.

andyfromotley

Hi Muhren,

nice recovery you have going there. Impressive achievement in regard to your debt too. You are right things definitely get better and quickly too. Once all the lies and deceit stops the pressure lifts enormously. One of the keys i think is not to live in the past but not to forget it either. If we kid ourselves that things weren't too bad its a smaller step for us to go back there! I am not going back to that.

GA meeting for me tonight. i will be thinking of you all especially 611 and the others who haven't yet broken free from this addiction.

Yours in unity

andy.

Muhren

Thanks Andy, looks like you are doing great yourself.

It took me a while to stop thinking of all the money I had wasted, in fact it still gets to me now from time to time.

I was on holiday a couple of weeks ago and I had a few drinks and I was lying in bed unable to sleep and for the first time in a long time I thought about going back to gambling. This also happened the following night but on both occasions the next day I thought how ridiculous that would be and it was a just a passin thought. If I really wanted to I could have had a bet but I think deep down I don't want to now.