I dont know where to begin but i think it helps when everyone gets everything off their chest.
I have been gambling since i was 18. It started with a holiday flutter with my granddad and got seriously progressively worse. When i was 21 i met an amazing girl who has literally changed my life, i am completely head over heels in love with her, and i know the deeper i get the worse i make our potential future.
My issue however is not the gaming machines. I clearly have some sort of psychological issue. I bet on horses, sports, everything i can get my hands on, any football match, baseball, basketball, nfl, its just too much now and i really dont know what to do no more.
I opened several bank accounts and took out way too much money when i was 21 so much that it spiralled out of control. I was in 20k worth of debt before i hit 22. I then took loan after loan every month to live. My debt is now racked up to 30k. I rent, and i have no family, just my girlfriend, soon to be wife. She knew i had a problem when we first met, but she thinks its under complete control because ive been paying for this and that. However, i came clean about my debts and she said i should work through them and i am one by one using a DMP. Even though it will take years.
I feel lost, helpless. They all should be banned. They shouldnt be legal. Lots of the population have issue with these sorts of things for a reason. It appeals too much to the point of insanity. You spend a lot become a VIP and then spend more because you get stuff back. I feel useless. I feel like i have a debt that will never be cleared. I dont know what to do no more with anything
Evening CM, welcome to your 1st post 🙂
I see you've been a member a while have you had a read round the site? Gambling offers us the world but only destroys us but bit by bit, we can fight for our lives back! Fixing your debts will not fix your desire to gamble, only therapy/GA can help you do that!
You are not useless, you are an addict & we cannot win because we cannot stop! You will need to figure out some blocks to help break your gambling (Time-Money-Location, remove one & you cannot gamble) triangle: self exclude, use blocking software (K9 is free but there is a sticky thread on other paid versions) if you gamble online, hand over your finances, get a hobby, anything that makes gambling harder & buys you time when you get an urge! Then you need to figure out what suits you best mentally, maybe have a talk with GamCare (they offer free counselling) or your GP, look up your closest GA meeting, or all 3...No harm in investigating what works best for you!
Yes you are in debt but you are young, you have your whole life ahead of you (I wished I'd realised @ your age I needed help) & what sounds like a wonderful partner standing by you! Not everyone that comes here has support so stay honest & let her help (GamCare offer her support too if she needs it). Recovery helps us live, it's up to you what you make of it - ODAAT
Hi there. First off the debt will get cleared eventually as long as you don't gamble and have a good debt managemebt plan (and stick to it). Thoughts of that one big win to clear it are just fantasy.
It's good that you recognise you have a problem. For me the only way to deal with this problem is total abstinence from gambling in all forms. GA meetings and counselling are both excellent sources of help and support along with family and friends. You also have the support of your soon to be wife. Get all the blocks in place, others on here will be able to advise better on that.
Getting through the first couple weeks is hardest as your emotions and logic will be all over the place. Talk about it as much as possible and use the forum.
Take care
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