Hello there
Just joined tonight and spent a bit of time reading around the forum and as sad as it sounds, I feel a sense of relief that I'm not alone.
I've been gambling for about 8 years. Gradually spending more and more, risking more and more, getting in debt more and more. Everyone around me knows that I gamble and probably sense that I gamble more than I should but nobody knows the extent of it all. I gamble a full months wages within a couple of days. I chase and chase the 'big win' but it never comes. I cant gamble just for fun anymore. There is no fun involved.
I'm 27, live with my partner and plan on a life together with her but I know that if I continue to gamble then none of it will happen. Gambling is slowly but surely ruining my life and I honestly 100% want to stop but I've tried to stop before and only ever last a few days. I would really appreciate your opinions, suggestions, just anything to get me on that road so that I don't have that sinking bottomless feeling in my stomach any more.
Thanks for listening
Jay
Hi, as I said to another new member the other day, you need to ask yourself some questions.
When, why, how do you gamble, once you've answered them, you can then look at preventive measures.
Self exclusion is normally the first place to start whether it's online or offline in the bookies.
More measures such as making sure spare monies and/or cards are given to someone else or put out of harms way should be considered.
Post up some more information about your gambling habits and you'll find many members who can give you sound advice.
Hi Jay283
You are not the only person that had a dream of chasing that big win, every person on this site will of at sometime whilst they were gambling ! Like you have said you live with your partner and plan on spending the rest of your lives together but unfortunately if you carry on gambling I can tell you she won't be around long, my wife threw me out of our family home on 28th Dec 2016 due to my gambling and all the lies, deceit and money lost that goes with gambling. It's very hard in the early days when we are trying to stop but life is so so much better when we are not gambling as I well know, fortunately at the weekend my wife has decided to give me another chance after long talks and I'm very grateful for this as the last 3 months were absolutely horrible living apart from my family. I don't know if you have a local GA meeting near you but would try and get along to one of these as I find them very helpful and is a room of people with the same issues, also I would ring the gamcare helpline and seek so individual councilling session which might help you. You have to WANT to stop gambling though for things to become manageable and better in our lives ! Hope you can get sorted and beat this addiction that destroys our lives.
"It's good to talk and take it one day at a time"
All the Best
Darren
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