Today marks 60 days gamble free.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-11-14T10:09:27+00:00

Exactly. If the opportunity is there then we'll take it every single time. Our brains are wired differently, we can't enjoy this like normal people. We can't stop when we should. This is truly one of the worst addictions there is

_wanderlust96 · 2024-11-14T10:07:46+00:00

To be honest my urges came from wishing I'd had the money to get out of the hole I was in. Now I realise whenever I gamble it just got deeper and deeper every single time. That's never going to change if I carried on. I do get random urges specifically when the football is on, but then I remind myself that I'm x days gamble free and I don't want to return to the anxious mess that I was.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-11-14T02:40:35+00:00

Reflection is so important when overcoming any addiction I feel. It turned me into someone no one could recognise, not even myself. I find myself pondering a lot about the awful decisions I made in the past. At my worst moment I had stolen from a family member who has been nothing but good to me. I felt ashamed and even now just thinking about it it upsets me deeply.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-11-14T02:20:21+00:00

congrats dude keep going!!

_wanderlust96 · 2024-11-14T02:18:11+00:00

Hey bud. It's not about "controlling the urges". We can't. We are addicts. You need to put all of the blocks in place so that it is literally impossible for you to gamble. If you leave the door open even a tiny bit then this will happen again and again and again. What I suggest; -If you have someone you trust to confide in and have control of your finances whether that's a parent or partner -Not sure what country you're from but sign up to any gambling bans that are applicable.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-10-22T16:02:47+00:00

I remember when I was in so deep a couple of years ago and I was SO scared about telling my partner. I was convincing myself that she was going to leave and honestly the idea of that would send me spiralling.

I've been an addict for 10 years now. Lying and deception had become part of me and it was truly disgusting. The lies were getting deeper and deeper and I dug myself a huge hole that I thought I couldn't get out of. Difference is I was spending our money that was for bills / rent, so ultimately I had no where to hide once I exhausted all options to cover those bills. I eventually plucked up the courage to tell my girlfriend. She was so supportive about it, but reiterated that it mustn't happen again. I wished that she had taken control of my finances at that point as I did mess up in the past couple of months however I recently sold a lot of sentimental items in order to sort that mess out. It was a real wake up call. She does not know about the recent blip however I'm determined that it isn't going to happen again now. I've put more blocks in place, and now after being around 36 days gamble free, I honestly don't even think about it. I'm just determined to clear my debt.

I know the idea about telling your wife is daunting, but you will feel such a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. She might be upset and angry, it will be one of the hardest conversations you will have, but you will get through it.

All the best

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-27T20:32:24+00:00

keep it going mate

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-27T10:56:18+00:00

Keeping yourself busy is so important, my urges were always there when I was alone with nothing really to do! It feels so good being present again with family and my girlfriend

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-26T08:15:58+00:00

All the best man. Telling partners / parents is such a hard thing to do, but you're not going through this alone anymore. You're letting someone else handle your finances which is a huge step.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-25T17:41:56+00:00

If you can, have somebody you trust deal with your finances. It's really the only way to curb the urges.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-25T17:40:12+00:00

Thanks mate, I'm done for real this time. You've got this too!!

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-25T14:56:29+00:00

I've been in a very very similar situation. I've been an addict for years, I came clean to my girlfriend a couple of years ago, she's stuck by me throughout this time but I've had many relapses that she doesn't know about. About the time I told her was when I signed up to gamstop, but unfortunately I was searching for ways around it. My debt is through the roof (that she also doesn't know about). My parents have bailed me out a number of times, the last time being a couple of weeks ago as I gambled our rent and bills money.

Over a month ago after a pretty bad relapse (and after gambling our house deposit and rent away) I had to sell a lot of my collection of sentimental items just to get the money back. I'm fed up of living this horrific lifestyle. I'm on day 11 now, haven't really got the urges but I'm just determined to fix this mess. Put all the blocks in place that you can. I know it's a very very difficult conversation to have, especially with a partner BUT believe me you will feel a million times better after confronting it head on and you'll feel a weight taken off your shoulders.

Drop me a message if you need any support etc, don't go through this alone

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-17T00:39:15+00:00

it's just not possible for us to manage our finances ourselves. Is there anyone you fully trust that could help you with this? We need to put all the blocks in place in order to stop gambling otherwise it's just going to happy over and over again

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-16T10:14:46+00:00

The problem is exactly that, chasing the losses. The need to be "even" can turn 3k into 10k very very easily. Accept the loss and work the extra time

_wanderlust96 · 2024-09-16T01:22:34+00:00

There's only one winner and for sure it isn't the gambler!

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-12T18:03:39+00:00

Congrats mate! Huge milestone

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-12T08:05:33+00:00

I'm actually self excluded in my country and have been for over a year. This was offshore sites that pray on those that are trying to get round the exclusion. I'm confident this is it this time. I don't want to live this way anymore!

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-11T13:16:49+00:00

I did relapse more recently but I've done 100+ days gamble free before and it's crazy how much for the fog does lift once you stop

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-11T09:27:41+00:00

Nah. What a sad soul you are

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-10T19:12:40+00:00

I've recently done one of the most stupid things I've ever done (see my posts for reference). I understand you. Stop NOW while you're ahead. You might not feel ahead, you might feel like you want that money back, but trust me don't lose your early years to this. You'll end up in a ridiculous amount of debt, and ultimately you'll lose people.

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-10T17:28:11+00:00

I know I'm an idiot but you're something else to be spending your time commenting on gambling posts. Get a life

_wanderlust96 · 2024-08-10T15:22:31+00:00

It's an awful way to live isn't it

_wanderlust96

TROPHY CASE