To say I’ve just taken the first step to beating my gambling addiction

[Cowparsley1]

Well, second as I guess the first is admitting it to yourself in the first place.

I just registered with GamBan so cannot play on any UK casinos.

My addiction started back in 2017. Online slots. Gosh I’ve wasted so much money.

Tonight, I’ve just gambled £600 away, lost every single penny and just reloaded and reloaded £100 after £100 and I’ve had it.

I hate how it affects my moods, I hate how it always makes me want to reach for my phone and then im not ‘present’ for my DC.

I hate how insular and anti social I’ve become because quite honestly, a lot of the time, I just want to sit and gamble.

I just want to be free of this awful addiction.

Congratulations! Best of luck for tomorrow

This is huge news, well done OP, you can do it!

The only winners in gambling are those who run it.

There used to be a saying that “you’ll never see a bookie on a bike” which was true then, and still is.

Well done on taking the first step. 👍

A powerful step in the right direction!

I could have written this post. It's only been an issue since March for me but I ended up with 5 accounts across two apps with different email addresses. That depositing more and more, playing ridiculous amounts to chase back that loss- well I ended up blowing thousands. I tried self exclusion but could unblock it, blocked my cards for online gambling but the company used bypassed that- and when deleting the accounts you have to wait 15 days. I managed 2 weeks without depositing anything but carried on playing (and winning a bit) with bonus cash- that was my undoing when I got bored on Sunday night and decided to just play £50. Put it this way, the £59 I withdrew wasn't worth the self-loathing it brought me. As of 10am yesterday all accounts are 14 days away from permanent deletion and I've blocked the domains on my WiFi router. We can do this. We are stronger than any app that is geared to screw us over

Well done op

Hi Cowparsley
ive been in France for a few days, so haven’t been gambling.
I’m still a bit drawn to it, we’ll see how I get in when home.
How are you doing with the not gambling?
Hope your doing well
Liz

Congratulations on taking that first step. Acknowledging there's a problem is often the hardest part, and it takes a lot of courage to do it publicly.

One thing that helped a friend of mine was recognizing how often gambling content appeared in everyday life, whether through ads, social media, or discussions about new games. Even topics like how to Play Chicken Road for Real Money in the UK became triggers that made it harder to break old habits. Creating some distance from those influences and focusing on healthier activities made a real difference over time.

OP, you are amazing. I admire you so much for taking this step and know how hard it is. I know two people - one in my own close family - whose lives have been ruined by gambling - and who have caused so much pain and poverty to those around them. It's so pernicious. I think it should be illegal.

I hope you get help, go to lots of meetings, but also substitute it, hard and fast for other things that give you a buzz of joy. Maybe set yourself a mini project of things to do with DC. Like two fun activities together each day, and then tell them there's a new fun fund, which is from some of the money you used to waste - and they can choose some days out with you.

Good advice!

Cow parsley, how are you doing?

I gambled for years and years . Slots were also my downfall, with bonus games . I lost 10's of thousands and became suicidal.i got into huge debt.
The not being present and that being the thing that you look forward to. It's just awful.
I always found a way around blocks , factory resetting.
What actually helped was giving my cards up to my partner. Blocked everything. Gamstop and chatting in forums .
I did have odd slip but this has lessened . It's still tempting but I don't want to go down that path every again . Just 10 pounds , turns into multiple deposits over and over. The shame and guilt that follows.
Felt like I was 2 different people , the gambling one and the normal , kind , hardworking person.
I wish you honestly luck .

Good on you! 😍

Solidarity. And well done kicking it to the curb x

Hi everyone,

It’s been nearly a year since I started this thread and honestly it’s so weird but I’ve been doing fine. Just got on with my life and I rarely ever even think about gambling now.

There’s been the v odd moment where I thought ‘god I’d love a go on the slots‘ etc but haven’t done anything about it (my gamban is still active for a while anyway)

It does seem like a lifetime ago now and I don’t miss all my spare money going on the slots!

I would love to say I’ll never gamble again but who knows once my gamban is up if I’ll have a blip, but what I do know is, is that I know life is better without it and that I never want to be in the position I was again. I know it’s a slippery slope for me once I start and I’ve accepted that.

So yes, doing well thank you and am nearly a year gamble free

That’s really well done. Happy for you. It’s encouraging to read. I’m still dipping in now and then. Determined to stay away!

Sending you all the will power! Do you have gamban etc enabled?

To be fair, dipping in now and again if you set yourself a limit & stick to it (like £50 or something) isn’t so bad I guess. For me that just doesn’t happen though and £50 turns into £300 etc.

Bully for you!! Addictions can be dealt with - I know, first hand......

I’m registered with Gamstop. But, I sometimes ask other people to use their gambling accounts. Very devious x

You're doing brilliantly. Absolutely brilliantly.

Well done.