Hello this is my first post on the forum im now 28 and have been gambling since I was 17, started off as all fun and games but it soon had me by the balls.
Everytime I get paid I gamble, my wages go in my bank in the early hours of the morning and I stay up late just to fix my sick urge. I find myself betting on anything from the slots, virtual horse racing to the Chinese women's basketball u21 league! Anything that's there I will bet and I don't usually sleep until the money has all gone, even if I have work the next day.
Have an account with every online bookmaker and I also bet over £100 just so I can get my £20 free bet credited on the Monday and another site turning over £500 to get £25 credited back to the account on the Monday. Don't feel satisfied until I've met these requirements, I somehow feel good cause I have the free bet being credited on the Monday, even if I've blown about £600 just to get them.
I've looked myself in the mirror and had many serious words with myself, telling myself I'm a gambling addicted piece of s**t and you need to stop! But everytime my wages go in something takes over me, despite the words I had with myself one nd up blowing the absolute lot again!
It's also sick how my hometown has 5 different bookmakers but there's no where in my town to get help! Nearest place is Skegness and I don't even have a car, cause all my wages gets wasted on this awful gambling. Any help would be appreciated, thank you
Adam
Hi Adam
Just joined the site myself after a relapse. Am going to access free counselling through Gam care, I need to get to the root of what is going on with my compulsive actions. Not easy for me but I will get a train.
Maybe you could look at this and you might be able to use a train or bus. It might cost 10/20 quid but if it helps it will be worth it.
I remember times when I used to stay up until midnight Thursday night to wait for my wages to go in to my account. Then blow the lot. I would have a sleepless night, go into work to listen to how everybody was going to have a great weekend, then come home to spend the whole weekend under a massive cloud. Then listen to what everybody did on Monday. Pretty rubbish, eh??
You are only 28 pal and if you get it sorted now there is plenty of living to do.
Yeah Mark i know the feeling mate, real bad feeling going to work on a Friday having blown all your wages, really changes my moods.
100% need to stop the gambling but I also love the buzz gambling brings me. Tried both drugs and alcohol in my life but have never become addicted, gambling really does bring something else to the system it's bizzare.
Hi adam
Your story sounds identical to mine im also 28 and like your self gambled from a young age.
I only joined this site on sunday after my last gamble (which btw was womans basketball) i have tried many times to stop by my self and only now realise jts not possible you need help. First thing you need to do is self exclude from all the betting sites, get rid of them! And talk to camcare
Im only 4 days gamble free but setting myself small targets 1st beeing untill christmas. How many years of stress have you had around tht time of year? Its horrible!
As mark said we are only 28 with alot of our lifes to enjoy we cant let gambling ruin anymore of it! I advise going on to the live chats there are alot of really nice ppl on there with alot of good advice its a good way to open up aswell.
Good luck and stay strong
Hi Adam
I am the parent of a young gambler like you and your story is so similar. Your emotions and anxiety are exactly the same as our gambler has been so I feel for you and what you are going through. First of all be proud that you are taking the first step to getting help. If you find yourself pacing up and down being tempted to bet then train yourself to come on here instead - just as you did above. Count today as day 1 of recovery and keep writing down the days g-free. Try and confide in someone you trust who can maybe help you moniter your wages/finances each month. The secrecy of gambling is a curse and if someone else knows it is such a deterrent. Ring Gamcare to actually talk to someone and ask them to point you in the right direction if you have debts etc. You are 28, you have a job, you have a potentially good future but if you carry on gambling, not so good. I know it is not easy, but if you can just keep calm now and use this weekend to try some of the above you might see a difference. It has worked for us - life is a lot brighter. Good luck.
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