Hi all,
I have recently had a relapse into gambling, specifically playing poker.
The problem is, that when I start playing, it consumes my life. I can't stop playing and I will miss life commitments.Â
Last week I got home after midnight on my girlfriend's birthday, she was understandably fuming. I stayed up till 4am playing online before a big presentation for work, I was nearly late to dinner with my girlfriend on Saturday, I become consumed with the game and it is all I can think about. If I play badly, I beat myself up and can't stop replaying mistakes in my head. If I play well, I just want to get back in there and continue playing.Â
As a first step, on Saturday I banned myself from online and land based casinos. I am also going to speak to someone at gamcare. I just want to stop thinking about poker, I wish I'd never played the game.Â
I played my last hand on Saturday, and all I've been thinking about since then is ways I could circumvent my bans to play. I know I need to stop because of how damaging it is for me mentally. I have genuinely felt broken in the last week - I've probably played 50 hours whilst working a full time job in the day.
I was wondering if there was anyone with similar experiences that might be able to help. I'm also wondering if what I suffer with is more similar to a gaming addiction? E.g. people who are addicted to video games?
Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing a responseÂ
Â
Hi there,
Firstly we'll done for recognising while issue and putting methods in place to protect yourself.
Gambling is a psychological addiction so like any addiction its normal that your mind craves it. People down play psychological addiction as they can only resonate with physical feeling but it must be acknowledged that long before any physical and long after any physical effe is are emotional harms and relationships with something and in this case it is gambling. Youve done the right think in putting physical blocks in place and its a matter if time, healthy coping strategies and distractions before those thoughts lessen and become less and less frequent. Youve got to give your self time and patience.
When I get the urge I come on here and read people's posts and sometimes reply it adds some accountability like I cant be giving advice if I cant keep it myself, ya know?Â
Â
Keep going, think about a plan you can use to keep yourself busy and ha e a loom at what youre going to replace this unhealthy activity with. You cant replace something with nothing so its very important to give that some thoughtÂ
Â
I hope this helps.
Here to talk if you need it
Try coming to the chatrooms on here. I also had the same problem with poker and it was affecting my life as you can't leave the table in a tourneyÂ
Well done for acknowledging you have a issue as my husband won't and we've separated after 18 years and he's at his mothers after running up loans and other debt to continue playing what he says is a hobby.
This has destroyed our family so I hope you get help and well done for admitting your issues and good luckÂ
Nice to have you with us!
How's it going now ?
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.
