Been betting since was 18 and have been addicted ever since ... got into 15,000 debt thanks to parents they paid the loans of and still paying parents back now ... but soon as the loans payed of i just thought i would re apply and got all the loans back again ...... mine is online betting slots just can't stop , even at work mind is just thinking when can I bet .... just sold car to feed addiction lost all that money within 2 hours .... just having thoughts now thinking what's the point .... gambling is the biggest killer out there and it's sad we have been drawn into this ....
Jeez mate you're in a bad way with the gambling.
But don't despair - there are ways out of this would you believe and help is at hand... Hold it together now.
1) your parents are aware of your addiction right? Well hand over all financial responsibilities to them right away. Gambling is rampant in your life right now, so basically you can't be trusted... But it won't be like that forever if you play your cards right here, and you need to trust me on that
2) go online (now) and sign up to Gamstop. Go around your local bookies and bar yourself (doesnt matter if bookies weren't your thing, just do it)
3) get blocking software on your phone and computer (gamban - it's free for 6 months I think)
4) hand cards and cheque books over to parents for now... You can just carry some cash on you during the interim, yes it will require planning on your part re. managing expenditures but if you use all that time you've been gambling with on managing these changes in your life you'll be fine right?
5) get to a GA meeting. Strength in numbers. You'll understand what I mean when you get there
6) don't give up hope. Try these things listed above. Once you have some gamble free time behind you you'll feel stronger, better and can reassess where you are then
7) you'll only get out what you put in. That's a rule for life moving forward. We have lived in the gamblers fantasy world for so long now. Time to snap out of it and wake up to reality.
8) keep in touch
Take care ?
Life can get better if you want this enough
Cheers mate means alot, going to take these steps on board .. Thank you
I once had the gambling triangle explained to me and it helped..
Remember you'd be taught about the fire triangle and you can only extinguish a fire by taking away one of the three elements (heat, oxygen,fuel) same thing with gambling...
Money/time/opportunity
Don't have access to your money - give you cards to your parents maybe?
Keep busy - fill your time with other tasks. Write a list of jobs to accomplish? Start a hobby?
Opportunity - If you cannot walk past a bookies change your route, self ban off sites but take away the opportunity...
I hope this helps? It's always stuck in my mind
Great advice.
You have one huge positive....you're 24.
This illness has had me by the balls since 18 and i've only just gained control at age 41. Word from the not so wise - stop gambling now for a happier and healthier life.
There's no magic wand and it is a tough slog, but being here and around these inspirational people really helps. Have a read around the forum.
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