Hi all, it all started 40 years ago when i was 12,my dad used to watch the itv 7 and i could pick a horse for a mythical 5p stake and if it won he would pay the odds.We used to visit family every easter and he was going to the bookies so i asked him to put a 5p yankee on for me , i won £30 .The next bank holiday ,same thing 5p yankee and i won £40 ,that was it ,this is so easy! Every job i have done has always been in a male environment ,to working at the local market and being a postman ,to name a couple.In this environment the majority would like a bet and study form, arrange days out at the races or evenings at the dogs,and before i knew it i was hooked.It all came to a head 3 years ago when i amassed about £20,000 in debts ,credit cards and loans,and i was borrowing just to balance the debts.I have a good job ,sorry but i won`t say what i do but we were able to remortgage and clear the debts.I carried on gambling but nowhere near the amount ,in fact it was minimal £10 on the football and maybe £20 on a saturday horse bet.The reason i have come on here is because in the last 3 months i can feel it getting hold of me again,i would get some bad news and gamble ,or the missus would say we need some new this or that ,and i would think i could win some extra money to fund it but before you know i`ve gambled another couple of grand.I know i can`t just have a social bet as it just leads to more ,so my missus has my bank card now , luckily for me i`ve never been interested in the machines its just sports and horses.I just thought by talking on here may help.
Hi Nigel
Welcome to the forum, I am no expert but from what I have realised so far is admitting you have a problem and wanting to do something about it is the first and often hardest step.
I think you need to accept that if you want to beat this, you can never gamble again. No odd £10 or £20 bets, nothing. Our minds do not let us gamble in a responsible way.
Your wife is obviously aware of your gambling problem from your previous episode and the £20,000. I would suggest you need to sit down with here, explain that you have a real problem and make some significant changes in terms of putting blocks in place to prevent yourself gambling or else I hate to say it but you are most likely going to end up with another big lump of debt.
I have also got some one to one counselling sessions arranged through this website or there are GA meetings that many people on here have found useful.
Whatever you do, don’t try and deal with it on your own. Get professional help and the support of your wife and any friends/family who you think can help.
Good luck and never think you are going through this on your own.
thanks
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