hello. This is my first post. I have been gambling for 30 years now. Started in casinos, then moved to spread betting on football and now fixed odds. The one positive is that I only gamble on football. I really want to stop but lockdown not making it any easier with games on every day. My issue is that I enjoy it and I don’t have many alternatives in the evening. However I am chasing the losses and if I’m honest I have thrown a lot of money away over the years and continue to do so. This makes me ashamed, embarrassed and full of regret. Any advice greatly appreciated
Hey dane well done for posting difficult to admit you have a problem. All of us here understand that fact and we all understand the shame and embarrassment . I understand the problem in the evening my husband goes to bed early, and nearly 16year old son holed up on his Xbox with his mates...As he rightly should be !! So I got into the destructive habit of gambling every night for hours 5th June this year my husband found out. Like you I had wanted to stop but I just couldn't and didn't know how. Immediately my husband took over finances, changed passwords, cut up my cards etc so that was an immediate stop to gambling !! Next few days during the anger of my husband and the distress I was feeling I started looking for help and like you I found this site gained help from Gamcare advisors who were brilliant and then like yourself posted on the forum . The next step and I feel the most important is blocking your access to websites/ bookies/ bingo halls without blocking I failed to go 48 hrs without gambling previous attempts because the temptation was so bad. However now I'm 5months gamble free !! Urges are fleeting and easier to deal with , so block your access gamstop is the one I use, there are lots Gamcare advisors can advise you. Take that intense temptation away give yourself a chance of recovery and then once you feel a bit better consider GA meetings or counselling I did counselling 8weeks and now GA the support from other compulsive gamblers is something I could not put a price on !! Give it a shot life is better gamble free
Hello and welcome to the forum Dane46.
Thank you for posting your experience here on the forum. We are here to support you with this. You have already reached out for help so I urge you to continue doing this. The feelings of guilt and shame you describe are very common amongst people who gamble. It sounds like you are in a challenging place. On one hand you enjoy the gambling though on the other hand it is costing you money and more importantly peace of mind. 30 years is a long time and it sounds like it has been a big part of your life. Part of recovery is to create a lifestyle away from gambling, finding new activities and hobbies you enjoy doing and that will make you feel good about yourself.
Also lock-down is difficult on all of us and boredom is a big trigger if you have a gambling problem.
The guilt and the shame is a difficult one. Over time it can undermine your self-worth and self-esteem and the gambling can become a way of coping with these negative feelings. So you mind me asking, does anyone from your family and friends know that your gambling has been problematic?
It may help you if you were to call our Helpline on 0808 8020133 or use our live chat on our website. We are here 24/7 to help and support you with understanding problems around gambling and to explore any options available to you, to help with this. Please keep posting messages to the forum and reading others experiences. I hope you find the forum a great benefit and joyful place to inspire you. All the Best Dane46
Darren
Forum Admin
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