When i was 17 I won a lot of money, it was around £12,000, and i spent all of this on my girlfriend at the time, took us on holiday, re-done my bedroom and was out for food 2/3x a week. I kept all of this from my family and they thought it was just through my apprenticeship wages I was paying for all of this stuff.
I'm now 19, at college ( quit my apprenticeship ) and have a part-time job working 12 hours a week, and I just can't seem to help myself from gambling, its always on my mind, first thing when i wake up and i sit for hours on end on the laptop just watching scores and betting on them. I literally spend almost all of my wages on gambling and its beginning to get me depressed. I always say i will stop but it seems like i never can. I go on holiday next month and my mam gave me £500 for spending money and some holiday clothes, and I've already gone through £200 of that, and I feel like I've betrayed her. I'm literally sat here crying and I'm scared ot tell anyone because I know they'll be dissapointed and angry at me. I just don't know what to do.
Go enjoy your holiday and relax your brain abit. The constant gambling thoughts and thinking about money all the time are the worst and hardest things to stop for me. It's making you depressed so you've aknowledged its having a problem on you mind. Maybe you can go and speak to a doctor about it, if it's making you anxious and depressed. You are still really young, and have all the time in the world to make a total success out of yourself, and realise that gambling will only end up destroying your life if you allow youself to give into the urges.
Wipe the slate clean, forget the past and go and have a great holiday. Relax your mind. It takes a big man to admit his problems, so don't fear disappointment or anger of your loved ones. They'll understand, and you haven't done very much damage, not like me anyway. Don't be scared or ashamed to seek out a bit of support, thats what your family is there for. You're a human being, everybody makes mistakes. Go and make a good career for yourself, and leave all this gambling business in the past.
Hold on to the other £300 your Mum has given you, tell yourself you can't spend that on gambling or you will not be able to go on holiday. Use the holiday as a fresh start and promise yourself you will stop gambling. My advice would be keep as busy as you can ... if you have endless hours to gamble on your computer, use that time to study or even better, get a part-time job.
Call Gamcare and they will help you over this period where you feel so low. They have lots of advice, so please call them. If you need counselling, there is a free counselling service.
Good luck.
BowWow
Self exclude from all gambling accounts.
Get someone you trust to then change passwords.
Install blocking software so you can't open any new accounts.
Give the £300 back to your mum asking her to keep it until next month.
Explain to those close to you what your going through what you've done and what your thoughts are.
Contact GA either through online or attend a meeting.
Then you can wipe the slate clean and move forward gamble free.
I wish you well.
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