Hi I am 18. I’ve been gambling for ages and have lost so much for a 18 year old. I’ve just landed my first job and it’s a great job for someone my age and have done 90% of my wages on betting on football and roulette. Today I self excluded on all sites and feel a tad better. I’m scared about payday as I’m scared I don’t know what I’ll do with it. If anyone wants to talk and maybe make each other feel better then feel free. Any advice is welcome, please help I feel awful and am thinking scary stuff.
@joes02 your life isn't ruined at 18. It's never ruined, there's always hope and opportunity, but at 18 you've barely gotten started.
Maybe you've lost some money but you can earn it back.
If you can see that gambling for you will be a problem then you've done the right thing by self excluding. If you're having bad thoughts then give the gamcare advisers a call and talk about how you feel.
You're just getting started in life, think of this as a fresh start.
IT WILL BE OKAY.
Chris.
Hello Joe.
How are you now?
I know it definitely won't feel like it but you are really in a good position at the moment. With some careful and good help the gambling could just be a blip in a long and happy life. Something that in time will just be a very, very distant and bad memory. I wouldn't want to minimise how utterly rubbish you may be feeling, I imagine its truly awful but try to think "What an incredibly lucky escape I've had" Try and put it down to a temporary lapse in judgement and then look forward to a life in which you can be happy in. All the best.
Hey Joe - At 18 there is no way your life is ruined. You could potentially do that if you keep on for years and years, but it will be easy to turn things around now.
My advice - STOP and never go back to it under any circumstances. I'm 51 and lost easily six figures over the years and got into some terrible scrapes, some of then illegal. Gambling is ugly, cruel and makes us worse human beings. Just read a few stories on here.
You have your job, which is brilliant. Work hard, be patient, pay off any debts as and when you can and very soon the nightmare will be over. Just make sure you don't go back to it - gambling is really not for the likes of us. Don't try and limit your betting budget or any other 'smart' moves, as ultimately they will 100% fail. Trust me - quit for good now and enjoy a happier life.
Go well! James
Your life isn't ruined. It's dramatic. I understand how you feel but it's probably good to learn about it all not then you can put it all behind you before it gets worse.
18 and your life’s ruined? Stop being dramatic now mate, your life is only just starting. There is people on here who have gambled for 50 years so in comparison your in a brilliant position. Make the right decision and cut all ties with gambling and live your life without the lies and heartache that comes with gambling.
You’ve had, and recognised and are acting upon, a very valuable life experience that will remain with you and be so key to you being a successful person. Well done for acting so fast. Just don’t kid yourself you can gamble again in the future. You can get on top of this - just stay rid of gambling. Well done (so far...... and I say that knowing how feelings change over time - block yourself and get the help you need via this site and other sources). Cheers.
Teared up reading that, thank you Chris.
Thank you Amba, means a lot. Genuinely thank you
Hi James, you’re so right. I was going to do a smart budget but I knew it wouldn’t work. Thank you so much James for your kind message
Thanks so much for your kind message. It means so so much.
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