So I have just started gambling recently from Jan 2024. I started off as a tipple but then snowballed in £100 depositS...
Fast forward to 01/05/24 and have had a bad 3-day streak of winning lots and putting it back in and then some.
I am today at the stage where I still have a little amount in my savings and money for bills and some extra but I don't wont to feel like this and I don't want to go back to my old self of going to absolute zero chasing.
I knew that after the binge today was a time to stop but how do I go from here...
Now the weird part of this is that in about March and april time I had won some money from the gambling. obviously, some of it went back into the casino etc. but I did mange to use some to pay off debt and buy things. and I am at a loss right now on how to feel because I feel I did good things with the money but then I am also still gambling hard and losing my money... what is going on...does someone have an outside view or opinion on this so I can see.. please
Dear Flyingfoxes,
Don't know if this is of any help, but please stop gambling. I have won big, very big, but lost later on double of it from my own savings. Gambling really isn't a way to gain money or to win back your losses. That I know now. And trust me, I have tried hard enough.
In the end you will lose, more than you could imagine now. Please stop and don't make that gambling hurt you. All best
Dear Flyingfoxes, as a family member of a gambling addict please please seek help before it gets out of hand. I'm saying this in the least judgemental way possible.The wins may feel great at the time but remember how much you've spend to earn that win.
When you look at it from a different perspective you've more than likely lost more than you've won. If it's online gambling which is far too easy accessible in my opinion then you can put a block on your devices to put a stop to your online gambling.
You've made a brilliant first step in asking for help be proud of that! 5 months gambling might seem like a short amount of time but as you've realised it's snowballs quickly and that little money that started of small that snowballed into £100 deposits soon snowballs into £1000s of debit.
If you're comfortable with doing so please ring the sites helpline they're open 24 removed link I myself have rang them tonight for advice on how to support my family member as I'm new to the site. The advisor was a lovely friendly person who provided me with lots of resources and my family member made the first step in calling also. He's not much of a talker and the advisor was very empathetic and understanding and helped him to approach the conversation if you don't know where to start. I've already noticed how much lighter he seems to be from keeping it all a secret and bottling it up. He's finally realised how much it was affecting his mental health.
I wish you all the best, please take care of yourself.
Hi
By attending recovery program I learned that I could help my self become less vulnerable.
By being honest and sharing I got to understand that in time I could exchange my unhealthy habits in to healthy habits.
By walking in to the recovery program I learned that I could help my self become a much healthier person.
No one could stop me gambling by being in the recovery program I could achieve so much more healthier actions with my life.
Like many people I thought I just had a Gambling problem.
When asked how I was I use to say I was fine or not so bad.
The addictions only indicated that when I was emotionally vulnerable I use to react in some unhealthy ways.
My emotional triggers were my pains I could not heal.
My emotional triggers were my fears I could not face or reduce.
My emotional triggers were due to my unreasonable expextations of people life and situations.
My emotional triggers were my isolating my self because of my fears of emotional intimacy.
My emotional triggers were my boredom due to the fact I use to procratinate and did many things for unhealthy reasons.
There was one person that said he ws glad that he was a compulsive Gambler.
By finding the recovery program he found out how unhealthy he was.
In time I gave up beating my self and calling my self names.
For me the recovery program helped me help heal the hurt inner chid in me.
The recovery program helped me reach so many goals in my life.
Healing Love and peace to every one.
Dave L
AKA Dave of Beckenham
Evening flyingfoxes @flyingfoxes
Open and honest post from you . If you still have some savings, try to get support now before the harm sets in and you get lost in the habit.
You say you want to go back to your old self. Wonder what that looks like? Daily reflections are really good.
Th highs of the win will not last and the positive feeling of paying off and buying things can diminish really quickly when you start chasing loses. My son had highs when he won on roulette but the big win never returns and then in the end he forgot what the feeling was and just felt nothing and became numb and lost. Today he is alive and well 17 months free. ITs all possible but needs hard work and commitment and a will to change your life
Talk to this community, know your triggers, and open up your mind and thoughts to accepting and reaching out for help.
Its not easy but being honest with yourself is key.
Here,s the link for talking to someone Talk to us now - GamCare
Gamcare really care so call anytime to see what they can do to help tailor your support.
Take care
Patsy
Volunteer Peer supporter
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