My gambling has spiraled out of control and currently in 5K of debt which I'll be paying back for a while. Having a few big wins/bets has caused me to gamble more now than ever. I have worked in casinos for over 7 years and my partner for the same period is just as bad as me at times, if not worse. We get holidays every year and always look for bargains but can waste our money in the FOBT's.
I aim to start Uni in september but thinking about defering for a year to clear my debt but then wasting another year of my life which would end up doing the same again. I want to stop but find it too easy for my next gamble, various online outlets and bookmakers.
Hi and welcome!
Unfortunately there is no quick fix. There's no pill to take or switch to flick to make it stop. What you need is 100% commitment to actually want to stop gambling (as opposed to stopping losing), complete honesty with yourself and others and a lot of hard work. It's difficult to go from doing something every day to never at all. Put as many blockers in the way as possible - give control of your finances to a loved one, ban yourself from all the bookies and casinos and install blocking software online. If you're serious about stopping and you give yourself the best chance then it can be done.
All the best
Hi, millarthomas,
I'm an affected other, not a CG so the mindset is a bit of a mystery. If you're serious about stopping and willing to do what it takes, there are steps. But it's about staying in recovery, there's no cure.
Get help. Regular GA meetings and or counselling, available from GamCare.
Install blocking software on all devices and self exclude from casinos, bookies and websites. The main barrier is money, if you don't want to gamble your maintenance grant on Day 1, then someone else has to manage your money for you. This means telling your nearest and dearest, difficult but gambling thrives on secrecy, better that they know. Don't carry any cash other than for essentials and if you use a Visa card to gamble, swap it for a cash card. Or if you use cash to gamble, don't carry any and use your card to buy essentials.
Not easy but there's a lot of support and help out there, you're not alone.
Good luck,
CW
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