IM 21 and have a gambling problem, It all started about 7 months ago with mainly small bets but then all of a sudden it escalated out of hand. Today i lost 195.00 pounds on roulette and ive had enough of this urge i get to gamble, even when im winning i still have to go back and carry on doing it. It also doesnt help that theirs a betting shop right near my work, i spend my lunch hour in their every day of the week wasting time but im sick of it. The only time i dont think about gambling is when im working as it keeps my mind occupied, i really want to stop, please help!
Hi there buddy. Well done for finding this site so quickly - it has taken me 6 years to admit I have a problem and come here! There are lots of people here who will be happy to advise you and share their stories. You have made a massive step by saying you want to stop. There are things you can do that will help in the short term such as excluding yourself from betting shops. You can either go in and do this in store or telephone and request a self-exclusion form which you can fill in and ban yourself from 5 or 6 different shops.They will need a photo of yourself.Once it's in place you won't be allowed to enter their shops.
I find that one of my triggers is when I have too much free time and available cash. So limiting the amount of cash you carry around and the amount of spare time you have will also help.
I managed to quit last year for 3 months. But am determined to stop forever now...currently on day 2 and finding this website is helping me loads.Good luck!
Hi Adam,
Welcome to the forum, and you’ve done really well by posting your story here.
It’s good you’ve recognised that you have gambling addiction problem, and also been brave in asking for help and advice.
To start with, I’ll advise you to go for Self Exclusion; just like forum user - Sully2014 said. By excluding yourself, you take a deliberate action which prevents you from betting in the shop next to your work place, and you have to do the same for each and every other shop that you gamble from.
Also, try and distract yourself from gambling by filling in your lunch hour with other activities that are not related to gambling, eg:- go for a long walk in the park, have your lunch in the office (if possible), engage a colleague in some useful discussions on some topics of your interest, keep a diary and write about your progress during this lunch hour, etc.
You can also use this time to go to our website, and read the postings from our chatroom/forum. You’ll learn a lot of strategies and boundaries from our forum, regarding people who have been in similar situation like you, and what they did to overcome their gambling addiction. You can then apply those strategies to help yourself.
It will also help you to realise that you’re not alone in this, and that there’s no need for you to suffer in silence or isolation. Help is right here at Gamcare.
It is advisable that you let go of your losses as you’re not going to get those monies back. Trying to chase your losses would end you in deeper debts.
At a young age of 21, you hopefully have time to overcome your gambling addiction problem, and look to a gamble free future; that is if you start to respond to the advice we’re offering you.
Perhaps you like to call our free phone Helpline for a 1 to 1 chat with one of our specially trained advisers. We’re open everyday from 8.00am to 12.00midnight.
Thanks once again for posting your story here, and please keep posting as often as you can.
Best wishes,
Beatrice
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
