I guess I must be otherwise I wouldn't be on this site. My brief story is, I'm a 56 year old male, semi-retired (only work 6 weeks every year at present), my wife is also semi-retired, we both got made redundant back in 2013 and decided life is too short to worry about having to do a 9 to 5 again, we both love travelling, we have about 3 or 4 holidays a year.
My gambling seems to be different from other peoples I have read so far on this forum, I only bet on online football, especially european football, very ocasionally Tennis, I never go in a betting shop, I never do online casino, and only do the lottery occasionally.
My gambling really came to ahead last weekend when I had a lot of time on my hands waiting for pick up to go back to the airport, I started gambling inplay on obscure european football, as per usuall bad luck went against me and I before I knew it I was £400 down within an hour and as most addictive gamblers do I tried to recoup my losses, and again bad luck conspired against me (see the pattern!)I was down £800 by Sunday night, Real Madrid the little s***s let me down!!!and Feyenoord, and Trvana etc etc
My wife who incidentally is the best wife in the world, no she really is, knew something was up but I couldn't bring myself to tell her until today, boy was it a relief when she sat there calmly and listened then gave me a kiss on the forehead and thanked me for telling her. She knew I loved gambling on the Footie but not to this extent.
The last couple of days has been torment, but a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders now I'm in the open.
I really am reluctant to give up my football betting as I see it more as a hobby than as of now an addiction, but realise that if I don't give it up completely it could seriously damage my finances and more importantly my family.
Hi..and welcome...
I would tend to think that as you've found you're way to this site. ...you're obviuosly already thinking that you do have a problem...
Maybe give the helpline a ring ...
Good luck
Hi mikeblag
Welcome to the forum.
Yes anything that presents a serious problem when you have come to your senses must be looked at closely. There are different triggers but It only takes one form of gambling to ruin people.
You have done exactly the right thing by telling your partner and you must discuss it further. I would say hand over the monetary control for a while and enjoy any further holidays while you learn more about how a gambling addiction works.
I am a compulsive gambler and I have now been gamble free for nearly two years.
I think you realise you have a problem because you will not be able to explain or justify that session in the cold light of day. Its simply a waste of money and I now see gambling for what it is.
There is however no shame in admitting it got to you as it affects millions of people and is rooted in the human condition
Its an addiction which can come out of the blue and it may always be within us so there is no room for complacency. It also relies on chasing behaviour next time you feel flush bored, stressed or depressed.
Some self analysis is needed as to why you gambled. Is the money the main driving factor as its never enough and you may have gambled it all away again for the dopamine thrill of the chase. Money is often not the main driving factor.
So keep talking about it......it can be history with the right help and blocks.
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Try the self assessment tool on this website and the Twenty Questions on the GA website. It will only work if you answer honestly. Your wife might try the equivalent questions on the GamAnon website to assess whether your gambling hobby is having an impact on her life.
CW
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