Hi,my name's lee I'm 42 and since I was about 16 have had a problem gambling,it all started with the fruit machines then I moved onto the roulette machines when they came out,I don't really go in the bookies anymore it's just all online I use now,Its on and off really I can go months without having a go then will tell myself oh I will just put a tenner in and win or lose its never just a tenner,if I win I just carry on until I lose and if I lose I just carry on until iv lost a lot so I know I can't win but keep going back to it,I have disabled 11 yo twins that I am full time carer for and it can be quite stressful and I don't have much of a life I'm just looking after the kids all the time,which I love doing but it can get quite hard because they are both non verbal and can become violent at times and they are constantly smashing things in the house so I don't know if that has anything to do with it,it's been about 3 weeks now since my last loss but iv been telling myself again the last few nights just throw a tenner in,iv only ever had a problem with the machines never with horses or anything,I do have a football bet every week but it's only 5 or 10 a week,I can bet hundreds on roulette but never more than a few quid on football,I was just wondering from people's experience is it ok to still carry on having football bets which I don't have a problem with or should I just try and stop any form of gambling,it's just with what I said before that my life is quite hard and I don't do much,having a go on the football is one of the only things,I look forward to and enjoy,thanks
I think you have to stop all gambling, Ive been starting and stopping for years as well, I carried on doing scratch cards and lottery because I didn't spend as much on them but I ended up spending more and more on them and then ended up backs on the slots because I thought I'm spending tons on these might aswell just put a bit in the slots instead, and like you tell myself I'll walk away win or lose but it's never how it works.
I think we do use it as an escape sometimes, when we're bored or Abit depressed, have you got any other hobbies or some other way of spending some time for yourself?
Hi Lee.i know you have it tough at home and gambling offers an escape and temporary relief from your worries. But it's a trick in the end it causes more damage. Do it for yourself one day at a time wish you all yhe best
@fun-has-stopped,thanks for your reply,yeah I think it's better if I just stop it all together,I think I'm self excluded from near enough every casino group online now but I'm sure you know as well that if we really want to gamble we always find a way,no I don't have many interests or hobbies,im on my own with disabled twins,they are non verbal and quite severe and the only time they are not with me is when they are in school and on school days I generally just clean up and go for their shopping then most of the days gone
I'd recommend, GamStop, gamban and blocking through your bank as well, the more blocks in place the better.
Sounds like you're doing an amazing job as a parent but it's important to find time for yourself, while they're at school could you not meet up with a friend for dinner sometime or join a gym or even start some kind or course or volunteer work to meet new ppl and get out of the house? Won't hurt to make the housework wait sometimes.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
