I have been a gambler since I suppose about 17 years old. I remember going to the pub and my mate said "gimme a pound" he put it in a machine and then gave me back £3. Even then I thought "wow that's easy" oh how wrong I was.
Over the years I got more and more hooked and lost almost everything. My mum was the only one who knew. She would try her best lending me money to sort myself but I would just loose it. Fruit machines, online slots, roulette in the bookies, lotteries, football, horses you name it I bet on it at some point.
The best thing that happened to me was last year when I met my girlfriend. She made me want to change, I didn't want to dissapoint her but inevitably I did. I lost money and would just lie about it saying I was just short this month. We were seeing each other for just over a year and often spoke about moving in, starting a life together but I knew deep down I couldn't give her everything right now. I lied about gambling and money and when she found out she was really angry and rightly so.
I want to stop I want to have my life with her and help all those I have hurt over the years. So here we go.
hello
You're story is pretty similar to mine. I'm still getting over a huge loss from gambling and want you to look to me as an example of how bad it can really get. I lost 27k in less than two hours online casino, betting 100$ a spin. Every 2 spins could have fed my family for a week. You're still young and don't look back at your losses look forward to how much you have to gain. And I know you can overcome this without a problem. It's not only the money that makes us gamble it's for the thrill, sometimes we are just bored and enjoy gambling. Find a different activity, doing exersize and working out is a great way to get that boredom off and it keeps you mentally strong. Control the urge within yourself no one can do it but us we have to do it for ourselves. Think big work hard save money do right by your misses.
Best wishes.
Hi anton, be honest with your partner is your 1st step, then be honest with yourself. It's not easy giving up but doing it alone is even harder as we kid ourself sand it's easy to fall back. I have been gambling 40 years and now I'm on 60 odd days g.f I have the support that I've never had in previous attempts. Block all your gambling websites, give your finances over to your partner and receive a allowance to help you through the week. We are all in the same boat on this site some are in the expensive cabins .. Years gf.... Some are in the lower cabins... Just starting out we all can reach them cabins above just takes time and willing and lots of support red xx
Been about 3 weeks now and feeling really good. Had my first online therapy session and can honestly say it went really well.
I think the best thing I have done lately is talk with my mate who has been a fellow gambler with me since I started. I drew up a plan of action, I was really honest about the problems and he totally agreed with what I said. I think now being more open and honest to everyone, including myself has taken me to a level I haven't been to in years. I feel more at ease, less stressed, and generally more happy.
I really want to keep this up and make this work. Also thank you to everyone so far for your words of support it really mean a lot.
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