21 and addicted

Hi Jelle,

Sorry for your loss.

I'm only 20 and online roulette is my weakness, I tell myself every month not to do it but I still do.

But I'm determined to stop for good

Hi Jelle,

I like yourself thought this would never happen to me so don't worry, you're not alone. I can relate to a few of your comments. My name is Andy and I am 22 years old. I started going to casinos at a similar time and couldn't get enough. Having a laugh with mates and winning, what could be better. Well.. the winning didn't last long.

You seem like a true gent and really can clarify that you have a problem and took massive strives in attempting a recovery so a massive well done on that.

Really sorry to hear about your loss, I can only imagine the toil you went and still go through. We're all here for you. This isn't easy but if myself and others can help to give you a push and a lift then that would personally give me great satisfaction.

I am currently doing an internship at Microsoft so in the technology sector like yourself and you seem to have massive prospects in the future so don't let this bring down such a bright future I know you're going to have.

YOU're NOT ALONE, I wholeheartedly offer my full support if you at any point require it. I am currently 34 days along the recovery process so in fact I am probably irrelevant myself. I used software blocker like K9 which helped to stop me gaining access to these online sites and think this will benefit you as I see you partake in a lot of online gambling. I also compiled a daily diary of what was going on and designed a list of why I want to give up gambling and refer to this at any point I get an urge to gamble as I know I'll let these people down.

I also suggest joining the '2014 challenge' located on the 'Overcoming Problem Gambling' tab. Take a look, you feed back every week your progress and can share any difficulties or success you have endured over that period. We're all in the same boat so collaborate with us. We know how you feel!!

If you need someone to talk to then you can contact a GamCare assistant on 0808 8020 133. I would recommend counselling which will help you talk about any underlying issues you have and how to best overcome these. There are also other services such as GA that you can visit to get hands on advise and stories from fellow peers going through exactly the same as you..

I appreciate I might not be the best as sharing my thoughts but I hope you value this. I along with all the other members are here for you if you really put the effort in!! If not, you'll dig yourself a deeper and deeper hole and believe me, it will get worse if you continue to gamble.

I know you'll fight this. Best of luck on the road sir!!!!

Thanks,

Andy

Thank you all for your support, it really cheers me up.

@StupidGamble, hang on mate it's a hard road, but it is so worthy. I say this because I know how it is NOT to have this ridiculous feeling to gamble everytime, whether it is roulette or slots, these things are made too lose. Not just lose your money but your whole awesome personality changes. Good thing you came here, you decided just as we did it is time to change! Together we can bust this horrible disease and move on with our lives. If you wanna talk, you can reach me on jmtenbrinke @ gmail dot com.

@AndyJ,

Unbelievable this feels so related, when I first went to the casino with my roommates I did not even want to, I thought is was a money waste. And it is... Haha clearly I once was pretty smart. Can you imagine how your live would be if you never met casino's at all? Pretty amazing you got an internship at Microsoft! What is your assignment right now? Indeed very good prospects. Awesome to hear you're already achieved 34 days man! Great job, that must feel so good! Currently on day 3 and started the challenge that you suggested last week!

It is so good to hear that I am not alone in this neither are you. I have a lot of friends, but they do not know or do not understand what it is to be a gambling addict. So thank you for taking your time to write me it really makes my day. 🙂

Will try to be more active on this forum in the upcoming weeks, it might just be that one bit extra that might help me and others to achieve not just a gambling free future, but a great future, you only live once! I hope to talk to you soon again AndyJ, if you would like to please contact me at the email suggested in this post 🙂

A massive thank you both again, stay strong!

Jelle

To be honest, at first, I went for a bit of a laugh and gambled minimum amounts. Didn't feel hooked or really enjoy the gambling prospect. This just grew through time. If I could turn back time like us all, I'd never get involved in casinos or bookies for that matter. I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing!!

Yeah, been working really hard. Majorly enjoying it. I'm working within Sales so selling Microsoft products to their customers. Been involved in a few techy projects and really into Xbox as that's a hobby and passion of mine. You've accomplished a lot, and for a fact you'll prosper big time in the future. Just stick in this with me and others and we'll battle this together yeah?!

The days have flown past, I've been busy yes but it just takes mental strength to persist through and the support I've received has been overwhelming that people like yourself are going through this and really want to talk about the situation openly and battle this together. Ah great to hear, you're smart and really take advice on board. Stick at it, Mr B. is doing a great job on that section and really helping me with my recovery.

I would like to get to know a little more about you? I see you as the gaming type of guy!! EXACTLY, you're not in this alone. I'm here for you anytime you wish to talk. I like yourself have several friends, some of them casually gamble and some don't. They don't understand how you can be an addict so feel trapped and compressed with the mixed feelings that I go through.

You're welcome, anything I can do to get you through this means a lot to me. To know I have made an impact gives me that drive to carry on myself so thank you. You do live once so make sure this demon doesn't drag you down, you have amazing prospects. If you'd like to contact me also, feel free to at [email protected] 🙂

Thanks,

Andy

Hi Jelle , stupid Gamble and Andy .

I have lost a fortune on roulette machines in Casino s and on the fixed odds roulette machines in bookies which logic tells you the machines other forces decide if you walk out with a profit not fate as in the casino .

My first logical answer to most Gamblers now as a Ex Gambler for quite a few months is to be happy with what you got ... A Partner ,family , Wealth ,Health ,Happiness , etc

Do you need more ? .. No But if You want to treat your self to a bit more should you work for it or Gamble for it ?

Choice ?

Your Working alone or jointly with a partner

Single /Partner ,family ,Wealth ,Health ,Happiness , etc

if you don't want more or need more

Change above with Gambling

How could things change above in the future

No partner , lose family , in debt , Ill , depressed and unhappy . ALONE !

Get all the help you can get don't let your pride stand in your way GA , Gamcare , patrner , family Doctor a good one ! , preacher , God . and get advise on debts

Get the" world on your shoulders off "

dave

Jelle, AndyJ,

I think were all around same age and all been dragged into this crappy world of gambling! Like you 2 it was just a bit of fun at first then just one day took a turn for the worse and went crazy and been like that ever since!

I have friends who gamble and like you said they don't understand how anyone can get fixed on it or spend so much (they don't know about my problem) but they say 'people who cant gamble properly should just stop'..

try telling a smoker or alcoholic to 'just stop drinking/smoking'.. its not easy!

but yeah I'm determined to stop for good and with us all in same boat be good to keep all updated on our way

also thanks Dave1963,

Your right, there are things move important like health and family than gambling

Hi guys,

Sorry I did not replied earlier, this week has been tough with me, but gambling is fine.

What you're telling me dave sounds all so familiar, the changes to your personality and your life. It is such a burden to have this debt and though its only "college" debt which is pretty normal with students it still is a lot and I am so ashamed towards my girlfriend since she has no debts at all and deserves a better person as a boyfriend. Though I am paying of these debts slowly, last week payed of 3800, which I am very happy with. This girl I am with right now might be the one for me, we have been together for a year and a half right now and shes aware of my gambling issues and debt but did not leave me, instead tries to help me.

And indeed StupidGamble we're are all in this together. Stopping smoking or drinking isnt easy either, but hey it is just as any other addiction possible to stop. There is still a lot to do with our lives and we should fight this addiction and start living again. Keep us updated with how you're doing 🙂

Best,

Jelle