Hi Im Joe and I have a gambling problem

Hi Joe how are you. Like you I am new here and same age as you but I’m fairly new to gambling only started in June last year due to lockdown but to date already lost £10k. I am in early days of recovery but the thing you need to ask yourself is why you continue to gamble? Identify your triggers? are you trying to win some money lost coz that will never happen. If you stop now you’ll have £1000 pounds every month just for you. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend that money on yourself and your family?

Posted by: joec1986

Im not to sure how to really put it into words what I am going threw or the extremties of what I am actually doing. I am Joe I am 34 years of age and gambled all my life

I have a major gambling problem which has made me feeling suicidal( Not actually wanting to do it if that makes sense~) and nearly ruined my relationship and I am in a desperate situation I want to stop and I know I do but I don't seem to be able to. I spend literally thousand pound a month at least and borrow sometimes to gamble aswell. I am hoping there is someone who has been in a similar situation who has come out the other side so I have some hope

Hi Joe

I was in a similar situation and there is hope. Every day you wake up is a new day and a chance to stop for good. I've been there, it's incredibly hard and I know things feel completely out of control and hopeless at the moment but there is a better bet-free life waiting for you if you truly want it. I gambled for 13 years and managed to finally stop the madness when I was 35. Before that, I suffered relapse after relapse after relapse. I only managed to make progress when I finally accepted I could never gamble again (that's not the same as wanting to stop) and was completely honest and open with the people closest to me about the extent of my gambling and the fact I had a serious problem and needed their help - that I couldn't do it on my own. That sounds simple but they're both very difficult steps to take - especially as deep down you don't feel as if you can face them. The people around you will come through for you after the initial upset, trust me on that. 

Hi joe. I’m day 9 clean. Welcome first and well done for joining. It’s the first step. For me I had to recognise that I had an addiction and that it was ruining my life. I have since that moment registered with gam stop, and started a cbt course run by gam care. Have you phoned and spoken to one of the advisors on here? You can also do it on live chat and I would highly recommend you do this. You are not alone 

Hi Mate yes I need to find my triggers and see if I can work on them. Regarding thinking about what I can spend the money I gamble on I do that but it doesn't really stop me even though I know I want to stop and its a waste of money as I never win.

Posted by: Debsy37

Hi joe. I’m day 9 clean. Welcome first and well done for joining. It’s the first step. For me I had to recognise that I had an addiction and that it was ruining my life. I have since that moment registered with gam stop, and started a cbt course run by gam care. Have you phoned and spoken to one of the advisors on here? You can also do it on live chat and I would highly recommend you do this. You are not alone 

Hi That is brilliant 9 days clean have you had urges? I know I have a addiction and I am fully reconised that now it has took me years but I am finally there and ready to do something. I havent phone the advisors but I did go on the live chat but I was in work so could speak not very much at all. I will give them a call when I get a chance. May I ask how you went about getting your CBT Course as I believe this could help greatly.

Hi joe

I know exactly how you feel. I’ve also gambled all my life up until now where I am 35. Lost an incredible amount of money in that time. I am only at the start of my journey of quitting so can’t offer any advice but your not alone mate and good luck in journey of stopping gambling. 

Hi joe

I’m on day 11 of a long journey to just look forward to a life without gambling. Some great replies on here and loads of support. 20 years I’ve been in this game and just ad enough. Hope ya coping pal always on here to chat. Thanks to you all again who help 

Shaun x

Hi Joe.

Welcome. Step 1. It’s not easy but most encouraging that you here and accepting the facts you need help. Other than joining here may I ask what other things you have done to avoid going back to the devilish act of gambling? We are all here to help each other and I love the support on here, I hope you will benefit in the same way. Beat 🙂

Hi Joe, I’m same age and been gambling since legal, actually probably before as didn’t really need ID like you do these days. Anyway I recognised my addiction 23 days ago and realised I had to stop, this time the difference was I wanted to, I’d tried before but never really wanted to do it. This time I signed up to gamstop for 5 years, researched all about gambling addiction, read this forum constantly and found my biggest help so far which is ‘Only Phil’ on YouTube. I can’t recommend him enough, watch his diaries, just listen to what he says. I’m in the early stages of my recovery but so far so good and the differences I’ve noticed in the 3 weeks so far have been remarkable. Have I paid back my £15K worth of debt I’ve amassed over the last 15 years, no, but do I have a clearer mind, better prospects for my future, less stress, less anger towards to the world and more motivation to succeed in my recovery, yes I do. I didn’t see it at the time but gambling since I was legal to has shaped my personality and who I have become and I only see that now after stopping. I’m sure I would have held down relationships longer with ex partners, I’m sure I would have been a much better all round person if I never gambled. I can’t get those times back but I can impact my future for the better. Please put the blocks in place and please watch only Phil on YouTube. All the best 

Morning,

That's great you actually admit you have a gambling problem, a lot of people actually don't. 

I've had same thought as well but not actually comitting to those thoughts. I've ruined past relationships before due to gambling. 

Trying to stop is probably the hardest thing when you're addicted to gambling. One solution could be letting someone hold your money, if not. Personally I would invest in gold or silver, those hardly ever drop in value. 

Journey to beating addiction is a long road, but guidance and speaking about your feelings makes it a tad easier.

Good luck and best wishes.

Hi joe the course is called gamchange and it’s in the self help section 

Joe, 

My name is Kelly, I am reaching out for help also. I'm interested in learning more about your experience with this wicked addiction. The more I learn about how this addiction changes the brain, the more scared I become. It needs you and you need it, even though you know it has no intentions whatsoever to live up to your expectations that it has promised you over and over and over... it's an extremely cunning opponent in a death match. and you can win, you can outsmart it. Or at least make some strategic moves when it is your turn. Your life is worth protecting. Decide when.