WHY is it SO HARD to Quit Gambling? | Is Recovery from Addiction Possible? | Stop Gambling Today

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NOT a new topic but such an important one. Feeling worse doesn't mean we're failing, it just means that the fog is finally lifting.
Thanks for watching, my name's Phil and I'm a former gambling addict. I make videos to share my experiences of gambling and talk about my recovery, abstinence and the challenges of quitting gambling. I also tend to ramble on about anything else that comes to mind and take great pleasure in dispelling some of the most common myths around gambling.
If you found this video interesting then check out the channel and consider subscribing (it would mean a lot). If you are struggling with a gambling problem then hopefully my videos will help but I strongly recommend getting some proper help from the guys below (I'm no expert, just someone who has 'been there, done that and got the t-shirt...(no) merch link in bio'.
GAMSTOP: (Online Gambling Exclusion): www.gamstop.co...
National Self-Exclusion Scheme: self-exclusion...
GAMCARE (Support and advice for problem gamblers): www.gamcare.org.uk
BreakEven (Free local gambling counselling): www.breakeven.org.uk
The Samaritans (If you ever feel like it is too much or contemplate self-harm): www.samaritans... or call 116 123

[@88doonyboy88]

Best thing any person can do is to throw themselves into mastering one difficult skill and to work to become the best at it in the world. Days, nights, weekends, holidays. Spend as much time on that as you did on gambling and your troubles will soon disappear. The best investment in life is in yourself.

[@SEANPOL203]

Great advice 👍

[@fart-gravy]

How is that going to stop anybody in the grip of a gambling addiction though?

[@Archie-23]

@@fart-gravyI think because if you are focusing on something else then you won’t be thinking about gambling.

[@elbowdeep]

Great advice. Gamstop and adopting a puppy sorted me right out 😂

[@fart-gravy]

stopping gambling is all about being ready to stop, anything else is just window shopping.

[@stevom7609]

Gambling is every where tv, radio, newspapers, bill boards it is virtually impossible in the UK. Only way is to replace the gambling with something you can invest your time in like golf fishing etc

[@lol-pz1ni]

so I can up with a concept and was wondering what others think. As someone who has relapsed many times, what if there was a safe place that was there if we did relapse that allowed us to scratch an itch as it were but without the massive financial consequences of doing so? The way I see it it's kind of like how they have those drugs clinics where they allow people to use the drugs but do it in a controlled safe way - I have a concept for this idea and how it would work practically. There would be an element of being able to win real money to make it appealing to an addict , you just wouldn't lose money by playing - the premise is that relapsing is part of the recovery process and we are human.

[@josephvolgyi3382]

This resonates with me

[@eddy0913]

And once you do quit, try not to think of bets you would have put on because them are the buggers that come in.

[@rockface901]

Good on you Phil , this approach you take is much needed in our society today - betting on sports / slots has become a lifestyle for thousands of people out there and its destroying lives . I urge all gamblers to listen hard - think about what you are doing on a daily basis ...think about how gambling is affecting your lifestyle and family - think about how much you think about having a bet ...this is where you know you need to look deep into yourselves and free yourselves.

[@major685]

Phil I have no problem placing a bet on any sport responsibly. But the fobt Is a different story, a big problem. Think this is a common trend What are your athoughts on this?

[@Stevesmith-xj7xe]

Ive been around enough amusements and myself enough to know that most people are running from their problems when they gamble, and gambling compounds these problems, i hate these places as all you can see is depression and false hope, theres no happiness there, fleeting perhaps, but certainly not long lasting.

[@Itsmetheworldsgreatest]

Gambling is a way to make us feel better, we know deep down we wont hit the jackpot, we are unhappy in life and we have to work out the real reason for this, in the past year ive gambled £20k and I now I know why. Im unhappy in life, my life isnt what it used to be, I dont get out much after work like I always did, I dont work out like I once did, my life is boring repetition week in week out....... I've now changed this

[@Stevesmith-xj7xe]

Couldn't agree more brother, stay strong 💪, I hope you find the happiness you want and deserve

[@waynegarland9938]

phil i do find things so hard myself buddy is there anychance i can speak to you about all this mate as i find it very hard

[@grandpre9442]

My gambling addiction really helped me understand what an idiot is (as in quitting and keep going back re-hurting myself) and HOPEFULLY I have now understood what an idiot is and am no longer one anymore.

[@ikonhero]

You're not an idiot. Gambling addiction is a disease. It can be treated. Try not to blame yourself too much. They casino games are made to make you addicted and keep playing. It's not just your fault.

[@motrheadache]

I'm 40 this year, and stopped 'problem gambling' some 12 years ago. Thats not to say temptation doesn't still wash strongly over me on occasions, but thankfully my 2 children have not had to grow up, as I did, watching their father lose us businesses and houses and relationships as a result of the same horrible addiction. I recently subscribed and have somewhat binged on the videos on this channel, and I can relate to every single story and emotion almost without failure. The job you are doing here Phil is incredibly important and I'm really grateful there are people out there still looking out for their fellow man.

[@jimmydigital]

Good evening Phil

[@Krock-xt5nu]

Your right when I am gambling everything is going great in my head if I am winning. I could have 50k in debt and win 1k and all the sudden I will think I'm doing well.

[@MrSyneric]

For me it was the false promise of winning big and being settled for life that made me come back. Gambling felt like being „productive“ because if I‘d win, I would have reached the wealth I‘ve always wanted. But obviously it did the opposite for me.

[@TheJaka1981]

I lost 50k I add more to try to recover the lose and lost another 10k all I want is to recover my losses and it’s making me crazy I want to quit and every few days I go back hlelp please

[@ikonhero]

You have a good point in your video. I personally saw gambling as a way to make money. But I kept playing, even when I didn't need the money. Even when I was about to lose it all. Maye all addictions are just caused by trying to cope with a life that is most of the time not so nice, or even stressful. I remember the last time I played it was because I was really feeling down after having a bad day. Maybe I need to look out for why I feel life is so tough and see if I can change that. Maybe then I will be free of addiction to gambling. Or even from eating too much, spending too much time on the PC of watching porn all the time.

[@stuufe]

Great video as always Phil. I would like to add another factor I personally think is key - whether you have previously been a 'successful' gambler or not. I looked back to your earlier videos and see you had a similar background to me. For some period you were successful in gambling and made good money - so did I, I had a second income for a while from gambling. Then it turned bad, very bad. Later on, still some gambling, not quite as bad but bad enough to be a problem. That's me now I think - I still lose, but I lose under some limits. But, really I should just stop, because I lose money. But, the main point is I get that 'called back to it' feeling because I used to be successful in gambling. It always reminds me - you could do it all again, just be better at it this time. Previous success in gambling is a very key and dangerous issue I think, in particular if it was for a sustained period of your life, as you and I had. Thanks for the discussions you post Phil.

[@kelleyluna2057]

Thank you Phil ❤

[@rockface901]

This is valuable information for people who need to get an understanding of why they gamble in the first place. I bet horses and i manage my disposable income - but i really think that there are hundreds of thousands of people who need to listen to this guy as they are gambling their lives away. I honestly believe that 99% of people who gamble really should not - they are not gambling to make money , they are gambling to escape from other issues in their lives.

[@gulinp1]

It's not "hard" , people just quit in heep of a moment, and get hyped about prospect & idea of not gambling. As time fades, hype fades and their emotional state changes. It's like getting hyped about gym, killing youself in first week, in second you are in pain, in third you start skipping. But in reality stopping should be life change & life altering moment and, much like eating healthier & working out or any other commitment, it should become part of something who you are and what you do .On daily bases you need to make right decisions, until right decisions become natural behavior, In this case - not a gambler.

[@fart-gravy]

You can relearn to gamble moderately, thats what ive done and skip in and out of it, i dont accept tropes of you can never gamble again, its mostly not true .

[@gulinp1]

@@fart-gravy point is to stop gamble forever. Vast majority of people can't "gamble a little and walk out", most people walk into a casino and burn all money they have, than panic and get more money to get previouslly lost money back ( just to lose some more).

[@SEANPOL203]

That’s the scam of gambling

[@madmike6266]

You don’t lose if you quit! Keep going till you start winning again!! When the fun stops. Keep going!

[@JohnSmith-mb6ew]

It's not hard....not hard at all...just stop doing it. How hard is it for an adult to not do something?

[@cheesegraham2387]

To fight an addiction is not a switch you turn off...

[@dave91863]

Your obviously not addicted to gambling, its incredibly hard to stop, especially when the bookies are targetting us, they love us because we chase losses, some of us even commit suicide, in fact gamblers commiting suicide in the uk is a daily occurance, this addiction is no joke and it destroys familys

[@fart-gravy]

You have got to have had enough,if you havent had enough youll just carry on, we need to stop calling it recovery , we are not sick people or werent sick people, that AA propaganda, once weve had enough of it its very easy to stop.