Hi All,
I'm only in my twenties and have been struggling with gambling probably for the past 4 years now. I first admitted I had a problem in January 18 when i found myself in about 40k worth of debt and was on the verge of wanting to kill myself. I've been in and out of counselling since then and found a really good councillor in September last year who has been helping me process a lot of things. I've realised that my addiction stems from the sexual abuse I encountered when i was a child and i have found talking about this has helped me alot to kerb the gambling. I came clean to my family about the abuse and the gambling and they have been really supportive also, i even managed to not gamble for about 6 months from sept last year to around February this year & ive managed to get my debt down to about 13k which im really proud of. Unfortunately recently ive found myself falling off the rails and slipping into bad habits again, last week i managed to bet and loose £1,500. i just feel so down and defeated and i was wondering if anyone out there has managed to beat the addiction completely? all i want is to be normal and live a normal life and i am really struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you in advance for any comments it would be really encouraging to hear from you.Â
Hi, sorry to hear about all your problems, it sounds like you have had it tough.
That's a big question you ask and I think the reply most people will give is that no, I haven't beaten this completely as it will be with me for the rest of my life. All we can do is put things in place to make sure we stop and do not relapse. Is your gambling online, if so I would recommend registering with Gamstop and putting a blocker on your phone or whatever you use to access the sites. Contact your bank and put a blocker on gambling transactions and if they don't have this facility change to a bank that does.
By putting as many hurdles in place when the temptation is there you will be able to not get into anymore debt. Don't look too far ahead, if you wake up in the morning be proud you have gone a day without gambling and try and get through the next day and so on, soon the days will turn into weeks and the urge to gamble will start to fade. You will start to feel "normal" again, but it will be a new normal as the past will always be on your shoulder wanting to tempt you back so each day will be a challenge but if you want to stop you can do it.
I speak from experience as I gambled way a lot of my life savings for 5 years and by putting safeguards in place and with the support of my family I am now over 4 months gamble free but will not become complacent that I have beaten this and I am 60 .
You are only young so there is plenty of time for you to get your life back on track without this evil addiction so good luck and stay strong
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Thank you for your comment and support it means more than you know.
And congratulations on being 4 months gamble free that's an amazing achievement!!
Took your advice and ive but a blocking software on my phone, asked a family member to keep the password for my laptop and handed over my finances to family also so i don't have any real access to my bank etc.
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Well done you. You have started with a great attitude. The best thing is to put as many blocks in place. Maybe try and find a new hobby or sport that you might enjoy. Life is for living not surviving. All you do really well in your recovery and e everyone else. All the best to you.Â
Hi, great news and well done for taking these steps which show you mean to stop this addiction. As each day passes you will feel your mental health improving so again well done ??
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