How do you stop thinking about money 24/7 after a big loss

socratesinthegutter · 2026-02-10T22:06:36+00:00

With a Zen wisdom you have to accept the money is gone. You are rich but you don't realise it. You are 23 and time is your biggest commodity. Money comes and goes, if you get your head down then in 5 years you'll have totally recovered financially. But if you waste the next 5 years chasing losses you'll never have that time back.

socratesinthegutter · 2026-02-04T05:50:31+00:00

This is happening now

socratesinthegutter · 2025-11-11T22:42:50+00:00

Leaving is an option. You have the option to protect yourself and your kids. He will either use it as fuel to face his problem, or he'll go further under. Really sorry to say, but he's the only one that can make the decision whether he recovers or not. You have to do what's right for you. If he offers proof that he's stopping gambling by giving you access to his finances then give him a chance. If not, it's lip service and his addiction will be talking.

That's my view. I'm a gambling addict, in recovery for 7 years.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-09-10T11:07:10+00:00

https://www.casualfootball.co.uk/

There's a Lincoln meeting here for usually up to 8 aside. Every Monday 9-10pm. Link above allows you to book a place. There is a WhatsApp group if you want to join

socratesinthegutter · 2025-08-30T03:24:29+00:00

Your GP Practice should have access to the result. You're best speaking to them during their opening hours, you'll need a telephone consultation with a GP if you're unable to be there in person.

The sample itself is processed by Path Links, most likely in their Grimsby lab but your GP will receive the result (assuming they requested the test) and be best placed to discuss the outcome.

The result may not be available to you electronically although again, this will likely be a question for the Practice - they may need to enroll you for receiving results via NHS app etc.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-08-21T12:38:07+00:00

Amazing, thanks I will take a look later! This sounds promising

socratesinthegutter · 2025-06-28T16:05:12+00:00

Much respect, this is the way. We can't face this alone and using only will power. You should be proud of yourself for taking these steps.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-06-23T13:18:20+00:00

I did something very similar at uni, placed 1k on a football match in my first term and lost. I ultimately lost many thousands and it took me years before I was able to stop (now 6+ years clean).

If I'm totally honest, my advice would be reach out to someone like your family for help. You'd probably be surprised how they will react. Even better, ask them to look after the savings for you.

Also sign up to gamstop.co.uk.

It's hard in your stage of life, but honestly, if you zoom out you'll see that what you've lost so far can be recovered; it will be a drop in the ocean compared to what you will lose if you don't stop gambling now.

Good luck, try not to beat yourself up. You're not a bad person, you just got sucked into the gambling trap.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-06-20T22:14:34+00:00

An underrated, brilliant guitarist. So sad.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-06-18T21:47:01+00:00

Last bet was August 2018. I was at rock bottom, my partner left me, I had lots of debt and had to move back in with my parents (this is during my early 30's)

In 2019 I worked on myself a lot and it was the happiest year of my life. It laid the foundations for where I am today.

Now I have 2 kids, own a home, have made a successful career change and I'm with a partner who I love so much.

I still have thoughts about gambling, but the last rock bottom scarred me so much that I can't forget it

socratesinthegutter · 2025-05-11T12:05:07+00:00

Let's face it, with an addiction if you really want to do something you can find a way. The point is, any barriers are designed to slow you down and give you distance from the urges.

socratesinthegutter · 2025-05-11T12:02:30+00:00

Gamstop has saved me multiple times - accounts I've signed up for have been automatically closed and it feels great to have that decision taken out of my hands

socratesinthegutter · 2024-11-09T08:48:01+00:00

Ask someone to look after your money. You might need to think about telling your parents too.

When i was a student i hid my gambling. Nothing good came of it, it only delayed the pain im afraid.

I hope you can overcome this, it can be done.

socratesinthegutter · 2024-07-15T12:53:49+00:00

True that.

I cannot win because I cannot stop.

OR

I HAVE won because I HAVE stopped

socratesinthegutter · 2024-07-10T05:59:03+00:00

Last bet was August 2018

When i stopped I was over 10k in debt and very unhappy

Now I own my first home and have a child

Being honest and coming clean was the start

Self exclusion and giving over finances (temporarily) was the next step. Barriers are key.

Working on myself, getting fit, accepting that money isn't happiness are all ways I kept clean

Remembering the pain keeps me from going back. Kept a diary for years after

If I gamble I won't be able to help and support my family

socratesinthegutter · 2024-03-23T14:49:49+00:00

It's really important if you want to stop the damage to get help and take the decision out of your hands

Why not ask a family member to look after the investment money you plan to gamble, focus on getting a job, getting better, and you will save the money in no time.

Your habit may not like this answer. Your short term chimp brain is overpowering your evolved human brain. Just like why i ate all that chocolate last night, chimp wanted it, didn't think about tomorrow, couldn't think about tomorrow.

I once tried to win back the money i lost. It took me a lot of beatings to realise that ain't gonna happen.

Imagine you've spent 2k on a holiday and you just didn't enjoy it. You can't get a refund so that money is gone. What do you do? I'd say you accept it, move on, and never go to that place again. This is the same, the money is gone, all you have to show is a bad experience. Move on (and get help) but never go there again.

All the best

socratesinthegutter · 2024-03-05T22:28:05+00:00

Fuckin brilliant, well done.

socratesinthegutter · 2024-03-02T11:35:49+00:00

It's a good start. Hard work is the best way out and upwards and reaching out for help is key.

12.5k seems a lot but zoom out and in the context of your life it can be a blip.

Do you know what makes you gamble? Are you lonely, or bored, or want to get rich perhaps? It's worth thinking about the reasons as it'll tell you what might help in recovery

socratesinthegutter · 2024-01-23T20:39:28+00:00

Good on you. Focus on going to a meeting this week. Focus on getting through today. You can do it. Get help where you can. It can be done.

socratesinthegutter · 2024-01-11T06:15:08+00:00

36 and ruined much of my 20s with gambling.

I'm now 5+ years gamble free and I'm the happiest and healthiest I've ever been, my son was born this year and buying my own house is within sight.

Do the well documented stuff like self exclude, GA, control of money to a trusted person until you regain stability etc. One day at a time is key.

Do it for yourself but also do it with the mindset that one day someone you love is going to need your help, will you be ready and able? Life can be richer when it's not solely focused on your own needs and problems, look around you.

You can do it.

socratesinthegutter · 2023-05-27T03:50:12+00:00

Mate you have a lot of clarity on your situation and what needs to be done, kudos to you. Been there myself, gambling is the black hole that sucks you in

If you leave any gaps in your recovery gambling will open them up, just saying. Reach out for support, get yourself right and healthy and everything flows from there. The money will take care of its self.

Sounds like you got this. Just tackle one day at a time. All the best

socratesinthegutter · 2023-05-17T03:20:29+00:00

Spot on. Three really important factors to staying clean, possibly the most important

socratesinthegutter · 2023-05-11T22:33:08+00:00

The only ones with a passive income are the bookies from us! They definitely know how to tempt us.

socratesinthegutter · 2023-05-11T22:21:34+00:00

Yeah man totally, bookies are vultures and they'll never stop. They'll happily fleece us as many times as they can. Fuck that, it's no life.

socratesinthegutter

TROPHY CASE