I am a 36 year old who has been gambling since i was 16. Its 20 years of non stop gambling in that time i can honestly say i cant name any period where i was truly happy and not worrying about my next bet or the debt i was racking up. I have sought help half heartedly before but it has only stopped it for a brief period. I have self excluded from websites but there is always a new betting site to sign up for . It has affected relationships, and i have no idea why i do it. Strangely i only do horse racing and sports betting i have never been in a casino and never got hooked to the Roulette machines. I feel this is quickly becoming my last chance to get rid of this addiction.
Hello curtis and welcome to the forum
Your post is honest and insightful as you say ‘Its 20 years of non- stop gambling and in that time I can honestly say I can’t name any period where I was truly happy and not worrying about the next bet or debt I was racking up’. It sounds as though you are now looking at why you continue to gamble.
There is support available to you curtis and it may help you to understand your gambling behaviour and why you do it. There is free counselling available through GamCare and if you would like to know what counselling services are available to you locally you can call GamCare helpline and speak with one of the advisor's who can give you further information with this. The free-phone helpline number is 08 08 80 20 133. There is also group support with Gamblers Anonymous meetings here is information on meetings http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
It can be a good step to self-exclude and for some people they find using a block is more beneficial as this can block gambling sites coming onto your device. Here is some information on blocking software you may find helpful. Some people also ask a friend or family member to password protect so the software is not easily removed. http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/blocking-software#.Vre8GvmLQdV
I hope you find the forum useful and we are here to support you.
Keep posting
Caroline
Hello curtis
Welcome to the forum.
Wise words from Forum admin.
Downloading blocking software would be a great idea to give yourself time to take stock of your situation without causing anymore financial hardship.
From there getting to the reason(s) why you gamble is important. The counselling would be very beneficial for helping you with this.
I'm new to the forum myself and have found that keeping busy is very important. It will take your time away and mind off gambling.
This will be very difficult after 20 years of non-stop gambling.
Stick at it and take the support available.
Best wishes
Glint
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