Lozcooper72

Hi Lawrence and welcome to the forum . I've got a head start on you my friend I'm 54 and been gambling for about 36 years , I came here st rock bottom 6 months ago and haven't had a bet since . If I can do it then so can you buddy , you just have to want to enough ! There's lots of advice on here from people that know exactly how you feel right now , so don't think your alone on dealing with it ! I look forward to hearing more of your story , what you gambled on that sort of thing , until then if you have any questions just ask and someone will answer ! Take care my friend and welcome to recovery!

Hi Alan , wow gambled for 36 years , I've never spoke to anyone who has gambled longer than me I don't think ? For me it all started when I got a job after school in a snooker hall , I gave people change for pool etc , in the snooker hall there was a small arcade with fruit machines and that is where it all began for me . I've gambled all my life since that day . To me I know I'm ready to give up I just hope I have the strength to do it .

Hi again Lawrence , yeah , makes you look like s beginner egh ? LOL ! If you really want to give up then you'll find the strength I'm sure , didn't think I'd do it but here I am and life's changed so much for the better in such a short time .and I'm sure it will for you , just accept your losses , there gone and don't go chasing them ! Once you let go it gets much easier to stop !

Hi Alan just read your comment and yeah your right I've been beating myself up for so long about all my losses and what I could have done with my money and my life , but here I am . It's nice to talk to someone who really knows what I'm going through, i ve never had that before , I have talked to my friends and some of my family but they haven't got a clue what I'm going through or how to help me . I hope your OK, sounds like your doing really well . I've not gambled for three days now , it feels good but once I stopped for 2 years so I know it's one day at a time and that's how I'm going to be this time , thanks for the comments means a lot, lawrence

Yeah , I know exactly what you mean and that's why this place works , there's nobody that knows a C. G like another one ! You can't kid s kidder !!! Wow , stopping for two years is a great achievement , so you know that you can do it then ? And that's the only way to do it one day at a time . Have you thought about starting a diary on the diarys section , it's a great place to keep track of how your doing or feeling and to chat with others as well !

Hi Loz,

I guess we are the same age, hence the 72... meaning born 1972....

I suppoose I've always enjoyed a gamble from the teenage fruit machine days on the sea front, to football coupons in the high street. The ease of internet gambling and credit card betting has been my problem. I came clean with my wife only last night, I told her I needed help as my addiction has got much worse in the last year. She asked me "why did it take so long to realise, why didn't you know you had a problem when you lost your first £10 or £100"......this was hard to answer. All I could think off was "I don't know!"........"this is part of my addiction, being an addict".............

I would never have won back my loses, £12K of debt, I only betted on approx odds of Evens. I couldn't face the fact that one of my bets had lost, I hated losing and chasing back loses was one of my big problems (maybe I should have explained this to her and probably will when the next batch of Q&A are required.

Enjoy this site, instead of looking at odds, or if you get an urge to bet have a read, write down how your feeling and hopefully it will make you see sense before placing a bet, because once that door opens again.............

Good look, all the best.

Hi shep72 , yeah I was born in 72 lol . I started on the fruit machines too I think it was 10 P a spin and jackpot £2.50 and I still managed to put all my wage in , that's always been my problem too I can't stop gambling till I've got all my money back I'm always chasing my losses ! I'm glad you've told your wife you've done the right thing , it's worse when you hide your addiction , i hide my mine for years and I lost my wife . I'm so glad I found this Web site I think it will help me a lot and help me recover . I hope things get better for you mate , one day at a time .

Hi Alan hope your OK, yeah starting a diary would be good idea I think , I'm not sure how to do it though but I'm sure I'll suss it out lol. It is so good to chat with people who can relate to what your going though and maybe I could help other people as well . I have been in contact about one to one counselling so just waiting to hear from that . If you've got anymore advice or you just want a chat let me know I do appreciate it .

Hi Lawrence , if you go to the recovery diarys section and scroll down to the bottom of the page , there's a new topic icon , click on that and you can start your own diary and if I being an old duffer can do it , you should have no prob , LOL ! Also what you said about helping others is a great idea , it's about passing it on which in turn provides some very good therapy for ourselves ? Best wishes Buddy !

Hi Again Loz,

It was good to speak to you on chat earlier. If are interested in coming to the GA meeting in Oldham on Tuesday you will be more than welcome.

I know it a nerve wracking thought but it's been the best gamble I have ever taken walking though then doors. I'm more than happy to meet you before if you would prefer that. If you do email admin and ask then to pass on your contact details.

The meeting is on Tuesday @730-930 @ The Link Resource Centre, Union St, Oldham OL1 1DZ.

If you want to know more about GA day@atime has a very good post on the overcoming gambling page(I will bump it up for you to read). You can also read my diary I talk about it a lot in there.

No pressure if you want to go I will be happy to support you.

KTF