Hello, all,
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I'm a 25 year old from the UK and have decided enough is enough when it comes to gambling. It started off as the odd £5 in the slots on a night out but recently spiralled into something awful when I ended up losing just over £1k in a night on online blackjack.
The regret was instant, I was trying to chase losses and hoped that I could win my money back. Thankfully the app blocked my last deposit or I would have gone totally broke. I am annoyed with myself but I know that If id have won, I wouldn't have made the decision to exclude myself from gambling.
I've registered with Gamstop for 5 years + automatic renewal & i've installed Gamblock on all my devices. I'm worried that the next time I go out with friends that I will be tempted to spend cash on the slots. Does anyone have any advice to help combat this? Or is it the case that I avoid going out until I 'feel' like I can say no.
The issue with my gambling was always associated with going out drinking and I suppose wanting to look 'cool' winning big amounts of money in front of my friends. I told my girlfriend about the issue and she's thankfully been really supportive. She's helping me budget my money and providing emotional support.
I think the main feelings I'm experiencing is regret. I know i've wasted money and Ill never get it back and Im just trying to accept that I made a mistake that I never want to make again.
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Any advice welcome.
I've just joined the forum too ... I'm 35 started gambling at 15 I've lost many thousands over this time I completely understand your pain tbh and the sooner you try to stop for good the sooner you can get rid of urges or they will only get worse the more you gambleÂ
I have many goals I haven't been able to achieve in my life because of gambling and lack of funds to pursue greater things, this is my biggest regret in lifeÂ
But we're still young so start today just like me ...NEVER do it againÂ
Hi mate welcome to the forum you are in the right place am sure u will get more people to respond other people will give u better advice read through the forums and the 8pm chatroom is what helped me in my own recovery and it keeping me bet free free i am on 980 days bet free it changed my life and it can change yours too👍
Hi Sleady
First of all congratulations. I'm 56 and stopped a 44 year long career of gambling misery so for you to have decided at 25 to change your life is amazing. I hope you don't end up in the same place as me but that's another story.
In terms of your partner or mum, have you given accountability over to them. What helped me was giving my utterly amazing partner the passwords and access to my email and banking apps. She knows what cash I have and I get receipts for everything. I also show my mum each time I see her. I bank with Monzo now who charge for cash withdrawals and don't have branches. I also reduced my daily limit to £10. If I don't have enough cash then I can't pay. Accountability protects me and my loved ones.
I put some things up on here that have helped me. Its on here in the new intros section on the forum called do you want to give up gambling. I needed to retrain my brain but there might be the odd thing you want to try mate
As Taz said, the chatrooms at 8pm are a life saver. They are text only so no cameras. Tonight they are at 6, 7 and 8
hi Stuart, thank you for the message. I have told my partner that I want her to keep an eye on my money. I also told her I want her to get me to itemise everything I spend within the month so it marries up as expected, no hiding anything then.
It seems my main issue is with the association between nights out and gambling. So I am going to limit the amount I go out to help me disassociate gambling and drinking.Â
long journey ahead but I intend to never return to gambling.
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Branden.
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