Hello everyone I've worked in a betting shop for close on 30 years and should know better about wasting my money away every day. I've losted about 5000 in the last 10 days and I feel sick as a parrot as I don't know why I did it. Last year I lost 18000 in 2 months but unbelievably won it all back in December and January this year. So you think I would stop there but as all gamblers know we can't win cause we can't stop. Luckily when I won the money back I paid off 10000 in debts credit card and loan, and gave 9000 to my wife to put away in her saving account so I wouldn't be tempted to gamble as I didn't have much left in the bank. But what do I go and do I borrow another 3000 loan and 2000 out of my daughters school fees account and blow it all in 10 days. I only really gamble on line on the exchanges on horses and sport, as I work in a betting I try not to go in to other local shops. My wife knows I gamble but not how much I've lied and kept it hidden from her for years. How do I stop I've tried to get a New job as I hate the industry and I feel that my gambling is like this as I can sit and gamble while watching it on my phone all day. I hate what it does to the punters who come in my shop and how we have to constantly try and sell products to them. Hope I haven't gone on to much all the best. Tugboat
Hi Tugboat
Welcome to the Forum!
You have taken a great first step by admitting to yourself that you have a gambling problem and by looking for support here. You descibe how difficult it is for you to stop gambling, especially as you work in the industry and you know first hand that it is not a way to make money but instead a way to spend more of it.
Maybe you would like to contact us on the Helpline on 0808 80 20 133 or on the Netline http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/frontline-services/netline#.VBhpbfldXww
Both services are open from 8am to midnight every day and an advisor could talk with you about practical strategies which can help you stop, as well as counselling services which are available in your local area. They can even make a referral for you straight away.
Again, welcome you will find lots of support from other members on this forum.
Kind wishes
Forum Admin
Just can't stop just lost another £1000. 6000 in debt now but can't stop chasing. Don't know what to do my depression is getting worst by the day. Wish I could end this pain
Hi tugboat.
You can end the pain by stopping gambaling. At the minute you're just adding to your debts. If you've worked the industry surely you know who the winner is and its not me and you.
Six grands a lot of money but so is seven the debts will just keep rising if you keep playing
Have you thought about having any counselling or meetings to try combat why you're gambaling?
Tugboat, have you contacted Gamcare? You know you are not going to win, you are just getting yourself in deeper. If you want to stop you need to get blocks on your phone and computer. Do you need to see our GP for the depression. Please Tugboat, don't do nothing. You can stop, you can sort things out. Have you been to GA, they will support you. Keep posting .
Hello Deano and Rhoda yes I went to breaking even through gamcare about 4 years ago and it was a great help and I didn't gamble all the time I was there and probably 6 months after I stopped going I started to gamble again. I've paid to the doctor many times in last 10 years and been on a lot of different tablets for depression but none have really worked. I've seen 4/5 different counsellors and while I see them I become a lot happier and don't really gamble much as my mind is more clear. Do I need a life of counselling to keep me from ruining my life, I'm only 2 years away from the age my dad committed suicide because of his addiction to gambling alcohol and drugs. I don't think I've really dealt with this and my life is going the same way with gambling and drink. I never got on with my father near the end and didn't speak for the last 2 years of his life as I didn't agree with what he had become. Thanks again for your replys I wish you well on your journeys with this disease. Tugboat
Hi, firstly welcome to the forum. THeres a few things I would have to do in your situation, I would need to find another job because working in the industry is not helping, it would be like a recovering alcoholic working in a pub, too much temptation. WIth regards to the counselling I would book that up, as it feels that your very anxious at the moment. Regarding the antidepressants, if your drinking with them they will not work. You have to draw a line under the losses as you must know yourself that the house always wins, you was very lucky to have won all your losses back but it would be surprising if that happened again. Take one hour, one day at a time and you can and will get through this but you have to put blocks in place. keep coming on here it's a great source of support. Take care and make those calls, say yes to life and no to gambling x
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.
