Hi

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your post, and welcome to the forum. I hope you're finding it to be a supportive place, or at least see that you're not alone in this struggle. First, there's always hope as long as you have the desire to quit gambling, and don't give up trying to do that. The more determined you are to put gambling out of your life, the more you'll succeed. You're only 19 and you've got a lot of life ahead of you, things really can get a lot easier if gambling isn't a part of it. Let's talk about a few things you can do.

If you're still gambling online, have you thought about downloading blocking software? Programs like Gamblock or Betfilter would block any gambling sites on your computer and a lot of gamblers use them with good success. If you've got a smartphone that you gamble with, you might have to install parental controls and have someone else put in a password for them that you can't change.

Also, what about getting individual counselling? That's what tends to help gamblers the most, and it can help you sort out any underlying reasons for your gambling, as well as help you work on ways to manage your urges more effectively. We have partner agencies in many parts of the UK that provide counselling at no cost; just get in touch with us if you'd like to explore this further.

Finally, Step Change is a debt relief charity that might be able to advise you a bit more about your options in that department, and speak to you about possible debt management plans. Here's their website: http://www.stepchange.org/

Hope this helps, and feel free to call us on either the Helpline (0808 8020 133) or the Netline from 8am to midnight every day if you'd like to speak more about any of this.

Hang in there,

Travis

Hi Kebo

Sounds like you are in a position where gambling has taken over your life, much like it did for me and every gambler here. I'm no professional therapist, so any advice I give you would be what worked for me.

Like you, I built up some debt, I'm surely pushing between 75000 and a 100000 in all. My words of wisdom, after a 20 year addiction is that there is no magic formula, it's finding what works for you, which will ultimately lead to you giving up gambling. I have been in the position several times, where I thought I was out of the woods, only to start up again.

How have I been successful so far? I wanted to stop, but loved the buzz of gambling, I know all too well that if I gamble again, I'd be hooked straight away. The advice given by gam care has resonated with me, I committed firstly to posting everyday when I started my recovery. If you are in the routine of gambling, you need to get in to the routine of not gambling.

Spend your time posting here, as many posts that you think will help. Soon enough, you will have loads of advice and positive messages to take from recovering gamblers. Do you hear any recovering gamblers say they miss gambling. In my experience, the answer is "no". What I miss is the escape, gambling is a great escape, much like a holiday but without the happy memories.

I'm doing much better since coming here. Follow the advice from the administration team, they know what works and have helped so many people in to recovery, myself included.

All the best

Paul

Thanks guys, really means alot.

Yeah, I signed up here because I thougth itd be a good idea to speak to people with similar problems. Ive spoken to stepchange and they're now helping me with a plan for debt, Ive self excluded from sites I can think of and will getgamblock when I get the money.

It hasnt been easy coming clean, none of my friends know just how bad its gotten, they only see me gambling small amounts, Its gotten to the point where Ive been hiding my gambling because inall honesty I feel ashamed. And Paul, thanks for that I think I may start posting a diary here to aid with the recovery. It wont be easy , but I'm determined to break this habit . enough is enough.

Thanks, Dan

Hiya mate I'm back on here after 2 years bet free. (Read my post say why back on) I'm just a normal working lad 29 years old. Best advise I could give you is to tell your loved ones. I know your in 10k debt but it's not a lot compared to some on here although it may feel like millions to you. Don't do what I did and try and gamble your way out of it! It won't work because you always end up losing. You sound abit like me because I like gambling enjoy the thrill of it all but the thrill of having spare money being able to have £100 spare to go away at the drop of a hat by far beats this. Need any advise just ask. I'm no expert but brought back how I felt 2 years ago so would like to help

The more days that pass without gambling at all, it slowly and surely gets better and you start to work the other stuff out. It's far from easy but coming on her and chatting helps a lot.

Hey bro,

After reading you initial post I related so much, Im young myself and gambling has gotten ahold of me too, hopefully we can both recover from this and look at it as a very early life lesson in self control.

All the best, keep us updated!

B

Thanks guys it really is reassuring to know theres loads of others in the same situation 🙂 Yes I do hope we can all get through this together! 🙂

Been gamble free sinceI posted this, but been really busy over the weekend (Thus the late reply) So far so good! Finally got a new job too today so thats made me happy. the big test though wil be payday , lets just hope I dont succumb to the evil that is gambling.

Hi,

Glad to hear that you're gamble free and employed, I'm from the other side of the fence, so I don't really get the mindset. But to keep going past payday, please heed this warning.

If you read other posts, you'll see that it's no good trying to deal with pay day by will power. Others haven't managed it. You need to put strong barriers up now, before payday, before it's too late. Possibly Stepchange can advise?

Am not sure of your set up but ours is that my husband has access to one account, the balance of which I keep at pocket money levels. I don't leave his salary lying around in it and everything else is in my name. So if he is tempted, his options are limited. If you can't hand over financial control, then set up what measures you can at the bank. If a Visa card is your undoing, swap for a basic cash card, if you gamble in cash, then ask for a low daily withdrawal limit. Or open an instant saver with a basic cash card and move your living expenses into it by DD on pay day. As a must, set up direct debits that come out on pay day for agreed repayments and priorities.

Hope this helps, good luck.

CW

Bit of a late update on this, but I've gotten better with my gambling now. Not gotten to the point where I've stopped completely I'll admit, but now it's more casual (cutting it down gradually though!)

My job I think has really helped me with this I think (ironically I'm working in a casino.) It's helped me realise just how little chance there is of winning. I tell you, seeing regulars come in and blow £20k a day every single day (Yes really... 20k!!!) Has really put things into perspective. The house always wins. Plain and simple. I would like to thank everyone here though and I have been following people's posts on here. But now the next step for me I'd to completely cut gambling out.....

As for the debt, Stepchange has really helped me in that regard and there's only around 2k left to pay off. Should be gone by the end of the year 🙂 I really would recommend them! Will try to keep this updated.