Hello alI,
I've just joined yesterday as I now feel that I have to quit this addiction because it's gotten too much and has taken over my life. I just started by betting a few pounds for fun when I was 17 and wasn't aware that gambling was addictive and thought it was a way to make money. I was so wrong on so many levels, because these last 4 years have been horrible for me and I've been to hell and back. In 2014, I won a large sum of money and this was the start of a bad nightmare, everytime that I betted after that, I thought I would win the same amount of money. My girlfriend didn't know what I was doing and I was constantly lying and it was so out of character because I love her so much and would never want to lie to her. I just wanted to keep betting and kept being in denial that I had a problem. The hardest thing about being a gambling addict is admitting that you have the problem. I would advise everyone to talk to someone, whether that would be family/friends or getting counselling. Of course they will be upset and disappointed, but it will help in the long run and you will at least have someone to talk to about it. I made this mistake and I have now lost my girlfriend who I was with for 6 years but I have no one to blame but myself. I kept saying that I would stop but I just couldn't and I've lost the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The reason I am here today is because 12 days ago, I won £1,573 on a football bet and lost it in 15 seconds whilst playing roulette. I just burst out crying whilst laying in bed and since that day, I have now not gambled but it is constantly on my mind and I'm scared that I'm going to go back to square one. I'm really determined to give it up now and I have signed up for online counselling so I hope that will help me aswell.
thank you for listening
Was this online?
yes the betting was online.
Hi Krana
Ive been exactly in your shoes. I use to bet fairly big on accumalators and thus the losses were quite heavly. I won big only on 4 occasions in my 3 years gambling, although after winning I would quickly gamble the money again. If you want to win the girl of your dreams back and get back on track now is the perfect time to start your recovery. One thing you have to remember is youre not alone and we will always be here to help you.
I started at very much the same age as yourself. It's going to be ok man!, you're going to beat this!
Thanks for reading and replying Dalomatic. Although everyday is a struggle, I'm proud to say I'm 12 days gamble free! It's just a shame that it took for my girlfriend to leave in order for me to realise but I guess everything happens for a reason. Yes, this time I'm determined to beat this addiction. Hope you have a good weekend!
No problem man. I was in a very similair situation to yourself so I can relate to you.
Im 2 years clean now and life has really began to work for me again. Ill admit I have had a few temptations along the way as the advertisements for gambling are frankly ridicules. I cannot even watch a video on youtube now without "OI DONT TOUCH THAT SKIP BUTTON, BET NOW!" appearing at some point.
It's a lonely path but im positive like me you'll come out on top and change your life for the better. Have a great weekend too buddy!
Hi there. I'm relatively new to this way of life and my philosophy is to take it one day at a time. There is a lot of good advice on this forum. Initially as you may know use blocking software so you can't bet online. If you use bookies self-exclude from as many as you can. Try not to be too hard on yourself about the money - it's gone and there is nothing you can do about that. All I can say from my own experience is that taking it one day at a time makes it more managable - if I put my head on my pillow tonight knowing I haven't gambled that is a great day. One last thing: I had a friend when I lived in Brighton who had been a MASSIVE street drinking alcoholic who had been sober for 25 years and he said to me once "Phil it's not a drinking problem. It's a thinking problem." I feel the same applies to compulsive gambling - we have to change our mindset. It's all very well to be abstinent but surely recovery should be a happy experience not gritting your teeth and say "poor me I can't gamble anymore!". Anyway I wish you all the best and look forward to following your recovery. Phil
Congrats on the two years gamble free Dalomatic! The amount of advertising is absolutely ridiculous and Ray Winstone can f**k off, I will skip that advert for the rest of my life. I guess I just want to live life on my own terms and not by this addiction 🙂
Cheers for reading phil, it really is about just taking it one day at a time. I have blocked all my accounts online which is the first time I've done this and I'm proud I made this step. I agree, you have to change your mindset and it's about how much you want to stop gambling. There's one thing saying it, but you have to truly want it. Day 12 today and I'm already feeling good about myself, taking it one day at a time. Have a good weekend mate, hope to join you on this recovery of beating this addiction!
I agree with Phil, I think thats what had to change in myself. I suddenly just woke up one day and thought to myself "Is this really the life I want to live" It was a very strange shift in my thinking, from that day on Ive never gambled. You may be at this stage now and thus why you have reached out to this awesome community. As phil says, take it one step at a time.
WE CAN DO IT! YES WE CAN AND YES WE WILL!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
