Taking my first step today

After all these ups and downs over the past years, having fallen into a deep hole once, I've fallen once again. This time much deeper.

For the sake of my future and my loved ones.

I'm 25 this year, employed, but currently in a debt. I will probably need at least 5-6 months before clearing my debts and getting back to square one. Hope to seek some support and advice from this forum.

Did you self-exclude?

You have some great advantages going for you if you are really going to try and quit.
First you are young and have a good long life ahead that you can enjoy.
Secondly, you are employed; so you have the means to make back all you have lost, and start over, living the life you should live for yourself and your family.
You just need to seriously initiate that determination and stick to it.
You need to be accountable, so somebody needs to know of your intentions.
You need help, because this addiction is too strong to keep at bay on your own.
I suggest you go to a GA meeting.

buster1969 wrote:Did you self-exclude?

I did not self exclude as most of my gamblings are through online betting.
Haven't really been to casino except for some overseas trip

58gambling wrote:You have some great advantages going for you if you are really going to try and quit.
First you are young and have a good long life ahead that you can enjoy.
Secondly, you are employed; so you have the means to make back all you have lost, and start over, living the life you should live for yourself and your family.
You just need to seriously initiate that determination and stick to it.
You need to be accountable, so somebody needs to know of your intentions.
You need help, because this addiction is too strong to keep at bay on your own.
I suggest you go to a GA meeting.

Thank you for your positive words.
Currently my gf doesn't know, but I'm not sure if I should let her know about this. (May be too sudden for her)

However, I've stopped all gambling activities since yesterday, and plan on withdrawing my monthly salary for necessities, while the rest will go to returning the debt.

Hope this will work out somehow.

Also trying to spend my free time going for a run etc to keep myself ooccupied

I did not gamble in the casino, so I did not self-exclude. Most are online gambling (soccer, basketball etc).

Currently trying to adopt a different lifestyle, spend my free time running or look for other work opportunities. Hope to be able to get rid of the gambling mindset.

The tough part is, I follow NBA and EPL quite closely. Right now I'm just trying to watch these games as it is, purely leisure and entertainment.

hidden3 wrote:The tough part is, I follow NBA and EPL quite closely. Right now I'm just trying to watch these games as it is, purely leisure and entertainment.

Since you are a sports better, I would highly recommend NOT watching these games at the present moment. These are often big triggers for sports betters and abstaining from gambling at the start is already hard enough. You don't want the juices running and the irrational thoughts in your head. Also, please self-exclude from all your online sites. We need external constratins to help us in early recovery.

You can self-exclude from online gambling, there are lots of sites but it can be done. If you're committed to quitting it goes a long way toward a successful recovery.

Of course if you're not really committed to quitting forever you'll want to leave that door open.

Thank you all for your advice.

I've stopped watching these sports for now, except for watching the highlights the following day etc.

Today is my fifth day, and I feel lesser mental stress and also getting more sleep.

Pressing on and hope to update you guys once every few days. )

One thing I have to say about gambling on sports: It's a little different than sitting in a casino at a card table or slot machine, especially when you gamble online. You can physically stay away from a casino a lot easier than you can avoid betting online. You have to be a lot stronger and more resolute in your determination not to continue sports betting. It's just too easy to relapse; especially if you sit there every day, looking at games you don't bet on, and thinking you could've won if you bet. Believe me, I've gone through all of it, and it's not a good thing to let your mind wander over to the "what ifs" in relation to sports betting. I knew a real nice young man many years back who got caught up into sports betting; he got in way over his head and owed the bookies much more money than he had; he would keep doubling up on the next game, hoping to get even, but kept sinking further and further.....but the bookies kept taking his bets, even though he hadn't paid for his losses.....it's a very bad practice; I'm just glad I don't bet on sports.