Hi my name is Kimberley I am 27 and have been gambling since I was 18. It all started with boredom I signed up to online bingo a won quite a bit amount for me at the time and from that moment on I was hooked. At first I was only using money that I had free after bills,food etc. It soon escalated and I started playing online slots not just bingo. I would shift my bills around cancel direct debits just to fund my addiction. Sometimes I'd win sometimes I would lose but it made no difference I would still gamble the next day. With it being all online it sort of felt like it wasn't real money that was until my bank was drained and I'd be left struggling until I next got paid. This addiction has got worse over time lying to my husband friends and family to cover up my addiction. My husband did eventually find out a few years ago after I had drained our joint bank account. I felt so ashamed but couldn't stop trying to chase back the money I had lost. I took out payday loans just to help us recover from my gambling but this just made it harder. I've joined this forum after last night I gambled more than I had and I've decided to try and make the change to stop I've tried on my own and never succeeded. I guess this is my first time trying to seek help from others I really hope this helps me to stop.
Hi Ebonie
Welcome. I am a recovering CG.
You will need to get some gambling blocker software installed so you can't access the gambling sites. You and your husband need to have a good chat about what preventative action can be taken. Cancel any bank accounts that are in your name or joint names. This will limit your access to credit for online gaming.Your husband should take care of all financial matters in the household.
Have you thought about attending a GA meeting, or getting some counselling? You will need support and guidance from as many quarters as you can get it.
Chasing losses is a big nono! We all do it. That is why most of us are here today, and why most of us are in debt. It's a vicious cycle that will repeat over and over if you let it. Try and accept that you will never see the money you have gambled again.
Best wishes
Hi Kimberely,
I've got no advice to give you, but I totally empathise with your situation. I had a massive (and I mean massive roulette problem between 2004-2009). Even after all that horror-show I still occasionaly kid myself that a cheeky £10 won't hurt. But hurt it does! So why do I do it?
I do it because I'm not happy with my life:
I get bored easily. I get stressed easily and look for an escape. I feel however much money I've got in my bank account I need more. I get suckered in through TV/Films and magazines that there's a dream life for me out there if only I was successful, etc.
That's me. But I reckon aspects are true for most people who are honest enough to admit they have a problem with gambling.
So, first of all - and without wishing to sound condescending - give yourself a big pat on the back for being self-aware and intelligent/honest enough to realise you might have a problem. Secondly, analyse privately in yourself what makes you want to gamble, and what you get out of it (money being hardly ever the main reason). When you do that you stand a real good chance of stopping it for good if you want (or controlling it, if you also choose).
Either way, I wish you all the best. It sounds like you have a good and understanding husband - worth more than any slot/bingo win.
Molehole x
I'm in no position to offer advice as I'm in the same position but as a fellow female gambler I offer u my full support. There's some brilliant People on here who are helping me no end and u can get alot of advice as well as support and understanding
Well done for even getting here
Recognising u have a Problem means your half way there there. Good luck hun xx
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this sounds like my mirror story and im the exact same age..just joined tonite after a yet another big loss...i can do this....i need to do this!!! hope your staying strong
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