Hi

Hi Mackems1

First of all welcome to the forum and congratulations on ringing the Gamcare helpline, it hopefully is your 1st step on the road to recovery from this illness!! I won't lie it's not going to be easy and there will be ups and downs along the way but you have taken the 1st giant stride.

I am like yourself in that I found it very hard to open up to loved ones or anyone else about my gambling as I thought I would be seen as a Failure !! If I can give you any advice at all just be upfront and honest with everyone with regards to your gambling as I have found this has helped me, also I got a lot from the councilling session that Gamcare sorted for me. I hope you can get sorted and will look out for future updates.

"It's good to talk and take it one day at a time"

All the Best

Darren

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum :))

That's a huge step for you right there " Opening up " so the rest is just a journey to better thing's :))

I used to do the same but unfortunately I wouldn't go months or even weeks and sadly the most I ever went without gambling was a few day's at a time but yeah , the same thing would happen time and again and I'd think I can control this now but as usual I just spent all the money I'd saved having a few day's off in one big lump and I now realise I am a compulsive gambler and as such I could never win because I couldn't stop .

I'm not going to say that initially it's going to be easy and the gambing urges will visit you but trust me they do get easier the more distance you put between you and your last bet . I'm not sure what you gambled on but there's many way's of putting blocks between you and a bet which I or anyone you post to will answer or again you could speak to gamcare for advice .

Just a quick pop by to say hi really and I'll look forward to hearing some more of your story when your ready to share .

Until then take care :))

Thank you for you comments they are helping me to understand more about gambling. Today will be the hardest as iv got to open up to the one I love most my girlfriend. I know by reading stuff on here once it's out in the open only then can I start to get a hold of it.

Hello Mackems

Well done to opening up to gamcare and your girlfriend, It's really difficult to do but it's a huge step in the right direction.

Alan is correct it won't be easy but there's plenty of help on here and by you telling your girlfriend hopefully you can turn to her when you have urges that could lead to gambling. I found it very helpful having someone to take to about gambling related feelings.

All the best.

Conradnose

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