One day mate, and it may not have happened yet, it may have happened already. You'll have a realisation of what on earth am i doing. It has to stop.
As a gambling addict, I urge you to take the steps now while you're not 'blinking an eye' at it, it will be easier. However if you do reach that horrible, murky, digusting self loathing point, take every step and help you can get.
Groups aren't for anybody. I have real bad social anxiety so that would never have been a help for me. However I initially used the gamban tool, it helped take it out of my hands and it isn't easy to remove either so not like its just an app you switch off. I was having mobile connection issues when I had it, so removed it at a point when I knew I was well in control.
I'm 1 year 7 months into my sobriety, and I still feel low, struggling with life, but one thing that isn't on my mind is money worries, at least not in the way it is. Now it's more about elec/gas/fuel bills, which isn't my fault.
My key things advice that have helped me, and I'm not saying these would help you but my experience;
- Don't hide the fact you're a gambling addict. I hid it for years from parents, the few friends i have. I've been brutally honest with my colleagues in work, some of whom I play footy with or chat regularly. It may feel horrible to admit it, or say it, or disgusting, but actually it will give you a bit of a fresh air about it. I have had nothing negative from anyone i've spoken to it about. They just listen, they haven't tried to solve it but have just listened and accept it. Nobody talks about betting in the office really.
- Take the steps available to you, like everything in life no option works the same for different people. If you're a social person, try the groups. I am sure they are a massive help, it just wasn't for me and would cause me more harm than good. Just try not to wait until you're at that horrible self-loathing point. If you can be preventative now, please do so!
- Install an app on your phone called 'Gambling Addiction'. Set how much you would spend and how much time you'd spend. This will build up over time and you'll see just how much you have not only saved in money, but in time. I set mine to £10 a day which was probably right. So far I've saved £6.025.02 since i quit gambling. Timewise 71 days, 3 hours, 5 mins.
- Accept your problem and embrace it. It is what it is, the question is not why am I a gambling addict, but more what are the benefits of accepting it and doing something about it.
I hope this helps. It may not be brilliant or anything useful, but that's my experience and accepting it, for me has been the key driver in getting control. As soon as you accept it, your brain lets you work on how to fix it.
