Hi Everyone
Well where do I start ….
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Im here for one reason and one reason only and that’s to save my mental health and find ways to help with my gambling addiction.
I think all this started for me at a very early age around 12/13 where I would hang around the local bookies with my Dad of a Saturday afternoon and even going to several local Race meetings. However though I have always bet only small amounts over the last 6 years my stake have become bigger and bigger , even chasing losses and spending nearly £25k of money I do not have causing me to even have suicidal thoughts. Luckily 8mths ago my wife noticed something wasn’t right and I broke down and explained. Unfortunately over the last few weeks I have took a massive relapse , but luckily noticed where I was going again.
All in all just this weekend I finally admitted too myself , wife and both my parents that I have what I believe is a gambling addiction and now need to seek help to try and deal with this horrible illness I have.Â
I look forward to connecting with a few people and hopefully we can help each otherÂ
Hello @Mossy1911,
Thank you for joining the GamCare forum and for sharing your story.
I am really glad you have joined and I hope you find the support and encouragement from other members to be helpful. You might also like to join our group chatroom - open every day at 1pm and 8pm, and Gamblers Anonymous hold group supportive meetings both in person and through Zoom.
It sounds as though you have had a lot to cope with. You have taken a good step by acknowledging the problem with your gambling and opening up about it to your wife and parents.
You might like to have a look at StepChange, who give free financial and debt advice.
If you experience suicidal thoughts, please make an urgent appointment with your GP or for urgent mental health support please call 111 (999 in an emergency). Mind also have lots of mental health resources and can direct you to local support.
You are very welcome to contact us on our Helpline on 0808 8020 133, on Netline or through WhatsApp at any time to speak one to one with an advisor; we are here 24 hours and can discuss with you various options that can help, including self-exclusion and blocks, free professional structured support for problem gambling, steps to protect your finances, time management, possible triggers and managing gambling urges.Â
With the right support in place people can and do recover from problem gambling. Please keep posting; we are here to support you.
Best wishes,
Sophie
Forum AdminÂ
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We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
