Hey , im 24 years old and have been gambling since i was 13, wasnt until 21 that it started to cause me serious mental health problems& financial difficulties or serious in my eyes anyway. I just need people to talk to on a daily basis as i think this would help me battle "guy" who is in charge . I do not often realise im gambling until i have no money left, only when that happens i realise how much of an idiot ive made from myself, but i always say that i wont do it again , but then it just happens again ! I'm sick of all the lies and hurt ive caused my loved ones and family , just want to live a normal life.
I know life is not about materialistic things , but it often upsets me the fact i have been working since the age of 14 and i can fit all my belongings into a single boot of a car, dont get me wrong i have done nice things in my life and have a few lovely memories, but all of that was clouded with lies and deciet.
I have fallen out with my family before but managed to explain that i have a problem, but i dont truly believe that they understand how difficult battling "guy" is.
Hi Tommy
Well done for admitting you have a problem and trying to do something about it.
I remeber when i used to gamble, i was in a soleless robot like state. Living day to day not knowing where i was going to get the money to gamble let alone live. I was void of any emotional feelings. I used to beat myself up everytime i gambled like yourself, sometimes the second ive placed a bet and not even had a result come in.
Have you considered contacting the gamcare hotline to try and get one to one coucilling or attending GA?
I do both and have found both have helped in different ways, GA that circle to confide in and work through barriers to stop you gambling, work through issues that arise and ways to improve your life, not just by not gambling. Councillor helps talk through possible reasons that may have led to gambling.
Remeber this is a progressive illness and if you do nothing 'Guy' will only get stronger and end up ruining your life like it did for me. I gambled for over 10 years, racked up massive debt and eventually lost my job due to gambling.
Hopefully today is the day that 'guy' gets weakened. However remeber it is one day at a time and 'For today i will not gambe'
Best wishes
Hi Tommy,
Wish I had courage to seek help at 21 when I It was already a serious problem - 26 years later it's been hideous - one day at a time stop now and u can have the life I never have....Paul..
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