Day 1 on gamcare / My story

Hello Sam98,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story.

We edited the sums of money from your post as some of our forum members can find that these details can trigger gambling urges for them. 

It is great the you've recognised the problem and that you're seeking professional help.  I don't know whether you spoken with your GP about the suicidal feelings, you could use the support of your GP if you are finding your mood challenging to manage.  The Samaritans have a 24 hour freephone 116 123 that you can call if you'd like to speak with a Samaritan.  The National Gambling Helpline is also a 24 hour freephone, 0808 8020 133, where advisers can listen, provide emotional support and empathy, and help you access free treatment sessions locally or online or by telephone.

https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/our-treatment-offer/

I hope that you find sharing peer support here on the forum can help to lift your morale and sustain your motivation for recovery.

Take care,

Forum admin.

Hi Sam,

So glad you are seeking help and support. You are young, have your whole life to look forward to and the best chance of restoring any financial impact that your gambling might have had.

I could be reading about me in your post, the chasing losses, utter depair and suicidal thoughts. I am a lot, lot older than you but I can still see a bright future without gambling. Only 3 weeks in for me but it feels so much better to wake up each morning without that pit in my stomach.

Self exclusion is great. I also had to go for gamban, the blocking software as I am devious enough to know ways round self exclusion. It may be worth thinking if someone else can help look after your finances for now too.if not, can you block gambling transactions with you bank? 

There is a chat room 1pm and 8pm each day for an hour, I think has helped me a lot in the last few weeks so pop in if you can.

keep posting to let us know how you are doing

Thanks for you reply and your encouraging response, well done on 3 weeks! I look forward massively to have that feeling when waking up.

I signed onto gamban this morning and seems like a brilliant help. I did put a gambling block on my card but found a way around it so didn't prove much help.. I feel ready for the long challenge to recovery and would love to come in the chat room to hear a few others stories as I find it really helps remind you why your doing all this!

Thanks again for your message I will defiently be checking your fouems to see how you get on!

 

Thank you Sam! There are some great stories on here, I am just at the beginning of mine. Make this the first day of your new life. You have so much to look forward to. Look forward to catching up with you in chat some time. 

Hi Sam,

I know its not easy to belive right now but in the long run the money you’ve lost will be inconsequential. Your 21 and if you can kick this now, you can have an amazing life and look back on this as a horrible learning experience.

Two things-limit your access to money and limit your access to gambling-banning yourself from every casino/bookies/online account get proactive.

Try to get to a gamblers anonymous meeting locally asap and confide in a good friend/family member as you need support.

You’ll never be 100% free of gambling as you always have to keep your guard up but it gets easier and easier as time goes by

Andy

Hi Andy,

I realised I had a problem at around 21. I kept falling back into it though and am now nearly 3 months clean at 25. If I would have stopped when I first realised I would be in such a better position. It is s**t but you can turn it around. Some people struggle their whole life.