Hello everyone, my name is matt and i've only just come clean that i'm suffering with a problem today, i've admitted it to a long term girlfriend that i live with and told my manager at work i've experienced the massive highs of winning £2000+ and the massive lows of losing over £10,000 savings and earnings, this has been a secret from my family and i'm ashamed of the damage i have caused,
i have no meetings near me for gamblers to discuss their issues so this is really my only shot, i'm meeting with my GP what are everyones tips and ways to make things better?
Hi Matt, you have made the right decision to tell the truth. You now have to make more choices and agree to help yourself go forward, this will not be easy but us CG's don't do easy. If u haven't already put software on your devices that will stop u gaining access to gambling websites. If u can do it on your phone, if not downgrade your phone to a non internet one. Harsh. But very much needed. This is day 2 for me, people on here have given me this advice and I am putting this in place. Speak to someone on the net line. Read people's posts and diaries for a reality check, they are brutally honest and inspirational There is a lot of help here. Use it. Don't give up. Be honest to yourself and others. I wish you every success in your recovery
Welcome to recovery Matt 🙂
May sound crazy but you are in a fantastic position to have accepted you have a problem, found the balls to fess up & found this site before you have lost everything! First & foremost you need to draw a line under your losses because if you don't, you will drag yourself into hell chasing them, then I would suggest a phonecall to Gamcare who can arrange counselling! You don't say what your poison is but you need to figure out how to break the gambling triangle, Time-Money-Location, take one away & you cannot gamble! If possible by handing over your finances to a loved one & becoming accountable to them, then excluding from anywhere you gamble & installing blocking software if this is online! Gamcare offer support to loved ones too if your other half is struggling to accept your revelation, never underestimate what this addiction does to our partners!
You may always feel ashamed (I know I do) & you will always need to remain on your guard because this is a progressive disease that does not leave us so rid yourself of any delusions that you will ever be cured enough to gamble again but just by stopping you will be making things better! We cannot win because we cannot stop but by stopping, we win everyday - ODAAT
Hello everyone thank you for your kind commentsents now currently on day 3 feeling depressed but I guess that's expected! I've given all of my log on details to the girlfriend and she has changed all my account details so I can't log into them I'll be changing my card details so I won't be signed up to anything online! I'm so fortunate not to be in debt but still unlucky to have drowned my savings I've got s loving gf who is doing everything she can to help me onwards and upwards I say!!!
Hi all, my name is Aaron.
This morning I have revealed to my girlfriend that I have blown all my wages by gambling on B*****d online casino! I've always had a bet now and then on different things here and there but my main issue has been betting online mainly roulette! About three months ago I had blown £1000 and my girlfriend found out, forgave me and we moved on! BUT...... We have just come home from holiday and I was short of money so before I got paid I got a loan online and blew it on roulette.
i waited 4 days and all I could think about was winning it back so we would be ok for money but in the matter of 5 hours £2500 was lost and I feel ashamed and embarrassed!
I work nights and I had to come home from work last night to tell her the news!! Woke up today and she's been amazing but had to ring her mum to find out bills for this month as we have no savings and to be honest live for each month regarding money!
Min all honesty I didn't think I had a problem as I don't bet every day more like 4 times a month but when I bet online I just can't stop and have to try and win it back but before I know it I've lost everything in the bank!
Im now looking to face this and start over any advice would be amazing.
Hi I think what you are doing is ' binge gambling ' . It's like you 'save it up' & the pressure builds & then you splurge. So you still have a problem. Consider :
1) report all your debit / credit cards lost with your bank(s), that'll give you breathing space - when the replacements arrive give them to your partner to look after (hide) the envelopes sealed & unopened or the cards. Then you won't be able to gamble online & also you don't need to go into anything with the banks. You can always get cash at a bank branch with photo ID. Ask you partner to look after your finances for a long while.
2) you can download a gambling-site blocker called ' TxNogam', on free trial for 28 days. Google it & you'll find it.
3) don't underestimate the problem. It may be infrequent but if the amounts are insane & lead to great difficulty you have a problem. If you chase losses then you have a problem - if you valued the money so much then why risk the initial amount in the first place ? The money's gone now forget it - just don't gamble anymore, don't even do the lottery (which is even more of a ripoff now with the extra numbers & doubled stake than it was before).
4) try to find other things to do in the afternoons after your night work : gym / swim / long walks etc. keep yourself busy - "the devil will find work for idle hands to do". It can be difficult working nights as you can be out of sync with your partner & society as a whole. Don't fall into the trap of busying yourself through gambling.
Hi matt, welcome to the forum and good luck, good advice on here so take it on board . There is a chat 8pm every night I'm always obmn if u fancy a chat or have a bad day, adam
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Thanks davey I will take your advice on board!! I will talk to my girlfriend tonight and put those things in place. In the past I've always said I'll just have a little bet on the football like £10 at the weekend but I get what you're saying. I have to stop all forms of betting and forget about my losses.
Hello everyone 6 days down and feeling much better! Weekend was really tough just watching sport for the first time in months without even having a bet but I'meenjoying it! I gave my gf all.my log on details and my urges have dropped significantly,kknowing I can't log online just makes everything do much easier, gf has been extremely supportive! And I can easily walk past the bookies without placing any bets!!
7 days today!
Good on you pal 🙂
Thanks mate!
Always find the weekend hard with so much sport on! Roll on tomorrow though
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