Hi everyone,
i've registered today for the first time & have just been reading some of the amazing stories & struggles people have gone / are going through & my thoughts are with you.
My story is like some of the others I think, it started with a stressful period in my life.
Up until 4 months ago, I was working in a emotionally draining job (funnily enough dealing a lot of the time with peeps facing other addictions such as drugs & alcohol). Along came a company restructure & my job was one of those under threat. After a lot of stress I decided to go for voluntary redundancy, and was lucky enough to be offered another (lower paid) job elsewhere at the same time. So far so good...but then one night just before Christmas, feeling a bid down, while watching a film on TV, an advert for an online casino came on on the telly.
For some reason I felt reckless, and registered on the on-line casino ( I didn't really know anything about online gambling before that). That was about 4 month ago, and in that short time i'm sad to say i've spent the redundancy payment + any savings I had (in total over £20,000) on on-line 'slots' . My current debts are about £7,000 and it has to stop. I've now self-excluded & am trying to arrange some counselling through Gamcare. I found it so easy to play secretly on my mobile, and all I can say is it's a very dangerous thing. I told my wife and family this last week, and i'm not ashamed to say I cried floods. Their reaction? Basically, although shocked, they're pleased I have spoken with them about it and that I'm going to be seeking help, and that it is stopping & eventually I can turn this thing around which feels good.
I'm nearly 46 years old and thought I would have known better, but I guess it can suck anyone in. Next steps? just keep strong, stay away from the online sites, get an old style mobile phone to prevent access & save money, and once I have got my head in a better place, I would be interested in campaigning against these hideous companies that advertise their casinos on TV in peoples front rooms, and in front of families. well thats it...I wrote more than i intended!...but thanks for reading it if you get this far!
Hey jazz. Welcome to the forum. It's too easy to get sucked into these things and your right it can take anyone. I find coming to this site a few times a day and reading people's stories and support, it helps. I know it's quite a large amount you have lost but the debt isn't too serious. Can easily be sorted. Luckily you've not been hooked by gambling for too long so it ,isn't be Abit easier to stop rather than trying to stop a lifelong addiction. It's good to see you've already put yourself so,e blocks in place to stop it getting worse and you've come clean to your family. Fair play to you. Keep strong
thanks Wishicouldstop, it feels better to have other people to share this with & yeah I think i'll be visiting this site a lot!
Yea exactly. We're all here for the same reason. If we continually check in and support each other we have a greater chance at succeeding and living the life we deserve
Unreal - I feel embarrassed (and stupid, greedy, selfish with it) to say that I stupidly got sucked into online slots again thinking I could turn things around, and eventually say to my wife, 'hey the debts aren't so bad after all!' And then get on and enjoy the rest of life.
What actually happened is, I spent on my credit cards and lost/ lost / won / lost/ won big (enough to clear debts - wish i could turn back time, what possessed me to carry on??).... and then lost it all. Now I feel an emotional wreck, worse off than ever financially and face having to tell my wife and family that I screwed up again and almost doubled the debt. I'm selling the only valuable possession I have to reduce some debt, and am scared I'll try to use it again online. I want to be able to stop this, its turned my life into one full of regret.i am waiting for counselling (not through gamcare) but just waiting for their call. Thanks for reading this
Joined yesterday and looking for help for a relative who receives no support and is in debt. Not used to forums, so your patience would be very much appreciated.
Hey...welcome. ..
Take a look at the friends and family section...someone there will help you...good luck x
Hey jazz
How did things go with counselling? I've just signed up myself after many many attempts at quitting over the years. The advice given on here is so simple and logical but amazing cause it comes from people who are like you and me.
My gut feeling is that your wife and family will still be supportive. just be completely honest.
Keep going pal
Samsaw
Hi Samsaw
Thanks for the advice, I think deep down that she will understand it, but it's a worry. when i told her about 5 weeks ago, she was very supportive, and still is, but said that she felt she couldn't trust me financially from then on, and basically she's right i need to build the trust back. So me going back to it after a couple of weeks just reduces that trust even more!.
I read your post and took strength from that, and also realise I need to leave the 'woe is me' state of mind behind, slowly recover in whatever way i can, get support where possible, as well as try to understand how this might be affecting my loved ones.
W
You asked about counselling, its still I the pipeline, waiting for their call but fingers crossed theyll call me his week to give me an appointment. Take care - Jazz
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