Hello everyone.
Ive a gambling addiction. I'm new to posting anything like this and don't really know what to say so im just going to type and see what happens.
I started gambling at the age of 15 on anything sports darts football tennis basketball you name it. This went on for 5 years at a normal level with small amounts. It then got bad I was betting alot of money that I didn't have and I got into a seriously bad place mentally and financially.
I then went 1 year gambling free and cleared debts by working all hours I could and started saving for my first property. Life was going good until I slipped and started gambling again. I then went another year gambling free and bought my first house with my partner and started to feel like i finally had everytbing under control until last week. I slipped up.
i thought whats one bet its been a year i have this under control. I then won a decent amount of money. Roll on 5 days later all of the money is gone aswell as most of my pay. Luckly all.my bills have been paid or i would be in trouble. I haven't told my partner as I don't want to disappoint her again we've been through a lot in the 8 years we've been together and I feel like it's a worry she doesn't need. I know she would support me but I don't want to see the look on her face again it's hard.
i know how this usually goes for me so I'm trying something new with this diary to see if it helps.
Thanks to anyone who's reading I hope you have a good day.
Day 1 of many to come
Having that first bet is the most crucial one it is the Addiction calling you back.The addiction will try and pull you back into a life of gambling this is when you need to be @ your most strongest.
Best wishes try NOT to have First that first bet
I agree that it’s that First bet which you win then drags you back into that addiction again, just like smoking and other substances.
I was similar, have a decent win and it gives you the courage to gamble more for the same thrill, when we lose them winnings, we are in fact chasing the win with more money. The fact that we believe we can win it back again is what keeps us going until we lose it all. And I found that this was the only way I stopped, I had to, this was no longer fun and not only that it gave me too much stress, I couldn’t cope at work or with family life.
that’s when motivation to get better kicked in, as the best win would be to recover. got myself support with beacon counselling with gamcare referral.
I went to my GP and explained the issues I was having with anxiety, he gave me a months medication to help with a follow up in a months time to see how the counselling sessions were going and hopefully he wouldn’t have to prescribe me more as the counselling should support the underlying issue which is the gambling.
I’m a few weeks into the recovery process and feeling positive.
get support, help with your gambling. See your GP, online chatrooms are good also I went to some GA meetings local to me. All advice through gamcare and to be honest i feel if you are determined there is so much support out there.
I have self excluded from every form of gambling, I am also on sense and Gamban. It helps with the urges.
hope you have a have a good Christmas and new year.
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