Hi i have just joined tonight as my online gambling is getting way out of control. I started playing online bingo as a distraction when my grandson was taken from my daughter and placed in foster care for 11 months and we had to battle through courts and social service to have him come and live here. I started playing slots between games and soon didnt bother with the bingo at all just played the slots as you won more often. It wasnt about the winning or losing it was about not feeling. It became a habit in this time and when it was resolved i found myself still playing, usually when i was upset or unhappy. I have had help during the 2 1/2 years this has gone on for and blocked my laptop and phone for a year but started again as soon as it ran out last september. I had found a way around the block on my phone by then anyway. I have been gambling since then and my husband does not know i have started again, he was none too happy when i told him before he would be devastated to find i am doing it again. Recently it has got worse i dont work i stay home and care for Oliver and only get £150 a month from my husband who works to pay for my stuff, hair phone bill ect he pays all the other bills but as soon as the money hits my account i am on here until it is gone, i have started transfering money from his account for shoes and a bag for my daughters wedding next week and have spent it and tonight i transferred £80 for uniform for Olivers new nursery in September and have spent that too. Even winning doesnt help as i had £680 last week ready to withdraw i just had to leave it for 2 days while it was pending but i lost it all in a day. I am spending days at a time on it and end up feeling wretched and guilty and hating myself for being so weak all i have to do is choose to not do it but i dont, it is making me very unhappy and i really just want to be able to stop.
Thanks for listening Sally
Hi Sally
Welcome keep reading, writing and you will find many who can relate to you. Obviously gambling is a crutch for you and a way of escaping from difficult emotional issues. I would strongly suggest counselling. Talk to gamcare they will go through some immediate issues and help to arrange counselling. Use this opportunity to take action and make some real changes. Best wishes.
Hi Sally. Your story sounds very similar to mine. I am in a similar position to you at the moment in that I have hit the point where I know I have to really stop, for good. I have been struggling with this terrible addiction for a long time but enough's enough. I have telephoned th the Gamcare helpline and have had an assessment for telephone counselling. I am waiting for that to start. I think you may benefit from counselling too as you sound like an escape gambler like me.
Very best wishes and I will check in to see how you are doing.
Thank you for your kind replys, i am currently in councelling anyway and he is aware of the gambling but other issues have been dealt with first. I will make him aware this needs to be a priority right now x
hi sally,
i can only echo the above comments. you said your husband would not be happy if he found out. i thought that about my fiancee but admitting i had a problem made me feel 100 times better and it was the best thing i ever did. its up to you whether you keep it hidden but it may be worth having a think about it.
i wish you all the best and i look forward to hearing more on your recovery
Ben
Hi Sally
So sorry you have through all you have and are still battling this problem. We are here for you. Why not give the Helpline a call? Or chat to us on the Netline if you find that easier. Links at the top of each page of this site.
We hope you keep posting about your recovery.
Best wishes
Forum Admin
Hi Sally sounds very similar to me,my fiancГ©e is aware of my gambling problems but can't understand why I do it,good luck in kicking this terrible addiction, I need to my self as I will end up losing everything.
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