Hi all, here’s my story. I hope you can find the time to read and any feedback would be appreciated.
My gambling first started around 10 years ago when I was 18, I used to place sports bets and would occasionally play roullette.
Over time, I ran myself into an overdraft which at that age it took me a few years to get out of!
For years, I gave up the roulette and would only place sports bets here and there. Around June 2018, the stakes involved in these sports bets began to increase. I recognised this was a problem and signed up for GamStop. This was a great feature and kept me away from it all gambling for a good 2 years plus.
In September 2020, I managed to open an account with non-gamstop site I found. This was the start of a real problem, from September to early December I had blew my savings and took out a loan which I blew too.
I have a 2 year old and a girlfriend who is 13 weeks pregnant with another on the way. She found out about this gambling problem a couple of days ago and she’s understandably severely let down and can’t even look my way. I am the main provider and have left us with nothing and got us in debt too. We were planning an engagement and that’s on hold until I can financially recover. The whole situation is taking its toll on both our mental well being and at the moment it’s hard to see any light from all this.
I won’t gamble again after this hurt I’ve caused, I know that for sure.Â
I just hope that my relationship will be rebuilt after all this and all isn’t lost in that regard. Especially as we have a 2 year old and another on the way.
Any advice from people who have been in similar positions I would appreciate.
Thanks for reading my story.
CiaranÂ
Dear @c92
Thank you for coming to the forum and for sharing your story.
I am sorry hear how you have been affected by the roller-coaster of ups and downs in your gambling and how this has impacted on your relationship.
It sounds like at times you have made decisions that allowed you to gain control or even stop gambling, but it seems that you have experienced a lapse recently and that must be frustrating for you. It is important though to hold on to the fact that you have had long periods of being gamble free before, which is such an accomplishment which can be achieved again.Â
If you haven’t already spoken with our Advisers, I would encourage you to do so as we want to discuss with you the options open to you and ensure that you have everything that you need to help you reach your goals and aid your recovery. You can use the netline or call the helpline on 0808 8020 133, we are here 24/7.
 Kind regards
Jo
Forum Admin
Thanks for the reply, Jo.
Yes, I’d say it’s a lapse that went to another level and became a serious, expensive problem over a relatively short space of time. Just shows the dangers of it all.
The last couple of days have been tough watching my partner stressing and suffering with coming to terms with it all. She does seem a little better tonight and hopefully this is the start of the beginning of the rebuild now.
C
Â
Hi Ciaran,
Look up your nearest GA meeting an start attending. You meet others in similar situation and will learn how to really tackle this issue and begin you one the road to recovery.Â
All the best
Joe
Thanks Joe.
I’ll look into that, hopefully other people’s  experience proves helpful.
Ciaran
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