Lost everything

Hi Chappers, that's what roulette will do and has done to thousands everyday, and like a hippo it will let you play with it give you the thrills but eventually it will want to finish you off. So many people on here have been ruined by that game. But by coming on here you have made a step to getting rid of it. It's hard but for the sake of yourself and your family you must stop today, find what works for you and stick to it, calling gamcare, sessions, start a diary but you have to stop. Once the days rack up the pressure does lift and you will get your life back. It takes a lot a real lot of dedication and willpower to beat this adiction.

Hi Chappers - so sorry to hear about your situation but Smashed is right - it's making these first steps towards change that will gradually help you to get some sort of balance back into your life. And you've done that. Plus, the love and support from your husband and the love of your daughter helping to keep you strong.

I'm new to these forums, but I'm sure you'll find the support you need here to help you stay strong.

Roulette pulled me in and I'm desparate to remove it from my life too. Take care and hope today is a better day for you.

Hi Chappers,

Well done on posting here, you are not alone in this battle. Here you will find fellow compulsive gamblers such as myself who can all relate to your situation. At the moment your head is in a spin with it all which is understansable, but your life is worht far more thanany of this. I know you have stolen adn done terrible things but you are in the grip of this addiction. I was the same, nothing else mattered to me, realtionships, friendships, work, nothing mattereted only me feeding my drive to gamble.

My advice to you is get to your nearest GA meeting asap where you will meet fellow compulsive gamblers and get the knowledge you need to really tackle this. Tell the court you are a compulsive gambler and you are getting help (Gamcare can arrange free councelling sessions also), come clean to your husband (full disclouser, dont hold anything back). This wil not be an easy battle but if you give as much time and effort to recovery as you have to your gambling you will gradually pull yourdelf out of this.

I wish you well with it. Any questions you have feel free to ask.

Hi Chappers

There's always hope. Many have done exactly what you have and worse and turned their lives round. Excellent advice from Joe. You will need to demonstrate to the court you are taking action to address the problem. Do all that's necessary to block your access to cash and gambling. GA will provide you with advice and support from people who have been in your shoes and Gamcare offer free counselling sessions which will help you get to the root of the drive to gamble.

Thanks you all for your kind words, I realise it's up to me to deal with this but knowing people are out there is a big help. I have spoke to gam care and am waiting for an appointment to see a neca councillor I really need to self bar myself from every where and beat this

Well done on posting chappers, I'm getting gamble free days under my belt but I'm still very new to this aswell.

you are in the same boat as many people so yes you have done a silly thing but at the time as a compulsive gambler, silly things seem acceptable? What you did wasn't right and you obviously know that but everyone is right don't beat yourself too much addiction plays with minds and wins most of the time!

Sometimes we need that all time low, that moment where you think "what in the world am I doing with my life" to give us an overdue kick up the backside. I know everyone's different but I had my moment 23 days ago and haven't looked back since (hopefully for good).

Good luck and I wish you all well

A bit of an update haven't thought about gambling so far, to much else going on in my head at the moment, I had to go for a dissaplinary at work today and well I knew the outcome to be honest it could have been so much worse they don't want me to suffer more than I am, and gave me the opportunity to resign and told me to get the help I need to which I am very grateful, I had worked for the company twenty four years. I now need to put all measures possible in place to try and beat this thing once and for all,one day at a time waiting for my cousilling sessions to begin I have no access to money or any means of having any, I have so much to sort out such as debts, but more important my family and my little girl hopefully will have a mum who is focused on her and not a roulette wheel, I am so glad I joined the site and wish everyone a success story x

Hi again

Free to use debt advice charities such as Payplan (the one Mr L used) or Stepchange are very good places to start for debt advice. If you qualify for a DMP it should dry up most of any harrassment from the creditors who hopefully will suspend further interest and charges for the duration. It will trash your credit record but the upside is it will make it harder to access credit on a whim.

re work it won't feel like it right now but allowing you to resign (assuming with a standard, neutral reference?) is the best outcome for future prospects once the dust has settled.

Hello Chappers,

Well done for applying for counselling with NECA.

You mentioned that a few days ago you had 'Thoughts of ending it all' and that it was hard for you to feel hopeful. Although it sounds like you feel a bit better about your situation now, you still could consider using the support of your GP and the Samaritans to help you to manage any suicidal feelings, or other intensely painful feelings. The Samaritans freephone helpline is 116 123.

You've mentioned that you've already spoken to us and that you recognise how it could be helpful to self-exclude. There is more information about self-exclusion schemes here: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/self-exclusion

Please feel welcome to start a recovery diary if you like, and to join our group chatrooms. You can continue to call us on 0808 8020 133 if you need more information or support.

Take care,

Forum admin.

Hi Chappers

I'm sorry to hear that your problem gambling has brought you to this point - there's light at the end of the tunnel and although you may feel as if gambling defines you and that you're a bad person, you're not. It's great to see that someone has stood by you throughout your situation too, stay strong.