I am your typical 27 year old lad who loves nothing more than going out for a pint with the lads, going to the football and playing football etc.
Ever since I was a child I have always liked that feeling of winning money and that began at a very early age with the 2p machines in arcades at seaside resorts etc.
The older I have got, the worse the problem has become, from 2p machines - now blowing hundreds of pounds a month ( sometimes in one sitting ) on roulette machines, or betting on football games which I have no idea about like Malaysian league 3 games etc.
Having the apps on my phone etc have made this problem worse as I can be laying in bed at 1am in the morning and still have something to bet on!
I have gotten to the point where it's having a massive affect on me as it's affecting my mood constantly and I take it out on people who are close to me!
When I was around 21 my family realised this and my mum and dad looked at my bank statements and were shocked to say the least and to this day that is the worst I have ever felt but it still didn't stop me.
The only time I have ever stopped for a long period of time was when I done camp America as you couldn't gamble out there there is no coincidence that this was one of the happiest times of my life so far.
I am at a point where I really feel like I need to do something but don't want to turn to family etc and let them know the extent of it as I would feel so ashamed. I am embarrassed for myself that I don't have the willpower to stop.
i am 29 and male and have a similar story and situation in the fact that i am trying to quit alone and don't have parents i can speak to this about in a helpful way.
I also tried ga meetings long time back and they did not help me personally and was too far away really to attend forever.
Hopefully the services this site offers or simply the support and advice of fellow addicts of gambling can help steer you right if you are ready to go cold turkey along with us here - welcome
Familiar story to a lot on here including myself , for years I have not admited the size of my problems but today I have self excluded from all bookies / websites and now is the road to recovery.
What is stopping you getting help ?
like many have said familiar story Gottastop and one that resonates with me
understanding this problem isn't easy to do especially if your trying on your own
perhaps give gamcare a ring and get some support on bat?
Might us be enough on its own but if its not you can always attend meetings after
Please keep posting would be interested to hear how your doing
tri
i've self excluded myself today from all of my online accounts and you know what - it actually feels good for some wird reason
I think the thought that I can't physically place a bet has helped settle me down and make me feel I'm finally trying to genuinely take control of things
Do the same yourself pal as it's a small but important step... Good luck
As a partner of an addict I need to ask a daft question.
When you are talking about self exclusion, what does that entail? Do you just simply shut down all your accounts with gambling sites or is there something more effective that can be done?
Thanks,
Carla
Yes it is as simple as that. Software to block access to gambling sites is then best downloaded(k9 is free). Changing of email address is useful to so as to stop gambling companies contacting you with bonuses & offers
yes its as simple as that but doesn't stop the gambler opening up new accounts elsewhere
the gambler has to want to stop and be willing to show that to you in all ways possible
even then its challenging depending on how bad the gambler is
but the ray of sunshine is if they are ready to stop its a great tool that could make all the difference
My story is exactly the same!! Football getting.. South Korea K league, Steua Bucharest, Irish Premier league or Brasil Serie B games I've bet on it all. Lying in bed next to g/f knowing that I'm waiting for a result to come in!!!? Eventually after boring off friend/pay day loans etc etc I've finally realised that even when you win you're actually losing! I banked £6000 in winnings in Dec and still ended up betting it away. You've got to just make the decision!! I'm clean now after losing my last bet on New Years Eve. Telling my girlfriend and family was tough but you've got to be open and honest to beat it. Owing money made me feel like I needed to bet to recover losses... You don't! I went to the bank this afternoon and have put simple steps in place to get me started on recovery.. Liverpool away tonight was always going to be a goal fest, yes I'd have won a bet.. But guess what.. I watched the game like I used to, with no stress, no secrets and a happy home because I could make the brews etc!! You've got to see that betting is a quick fix but really isn't the answer!! Good luck mate in your recovery!! YOU CAN DO IT!!
self exclusion in my case was the following.....
opening a live chat with the sites host and asking to be banned for as long as possible....they don't always do forever but usually six years.
A good trick is to change passwords and just type a load of mumbo jumbo and then copy paste underneath to confirm otherwise you won't know what random keys you pressed.
Change email address and get a new one.
SET deposit limits of lowest amounts for sites that may be easy to re-access.
Install k9 software to stop gambling sites playing on the laptop etc....
(yet all these options don't 100% stop you opening new sites or even just getting cash and driving to any 24 hr place)
Most casinos only shut on christmas day at midnight for a few hours then re-open for another full year 24/7........
even though i am a category Y banned casino uk category i still got in all the aspers non-membership places as you do not ever get id unless you look under 18 or win over £1500 a night.........
it is not that hard to beat it if you looking too.
Even service stations have got thousands of my pounds in their 24 hour slot machines on motorways......
not to mention town arcades with £500 jackpot machines that open 18 hours every single day.........
and online is of course 24 hour too............
Hence why the only real way to prevent it is to control all of the gamblers money at all times.......if your lucky enough to have someone who can do that for you then take it as it takes any chance away and makes life so much easier.
Get a pre nuptial if you have too.
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