Hi. I'm 36 a single mom of 3.
Been online gambling a few years. Mainly slots. At first it was just for fun 10-20 a week and had no problems but in the last 12 months I've split with my partner of 9 years and the gambling has got worse. Usually spending 100 a week now, I'm a single parent on a part time wage and can't afford to be doing this, I'm in rent arrears but don't know how to stop. I'm always trying to win back my losses but the majority of the time this never happens.
I need help to stop
Hi flutterbyx - I empathise with you because what started for me as a harmless bit of fun became a destructive obsession. Thankfully I found this site and have been 'sane' for nearly three months now.
First of all, I assume you are gambling online so please self-exclude permanently from all the sites you use. Next, install a blocking program like K9 (it's free) which will prevent you from accessing anything remotely to do with gambling.
These barriers will go a long way to start you on your recovery. If you read the stories on here you will be encouraged to see how people have turned their lives around and have started to enjoy life again, free from despair and self-disgust.
Best wishes for your journey - I am sure you can do it.
Joanna
P.S. If you need help sorting your finances I am sure Gamcare can suggest some sources of advice.
Hello Flutterbyx,
Welcome to the Forum. Great piece of advice from baggins, so I would like to add that you're welcome to contact the GamCare advisors on 0808 8020 133, which is free on the main mobile networks. We're open from 8am until midnight, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can use the Netline to connect to an advisor:
<a href=" http://secure.gamcare.org.uk/netline
"> http://secure.gamcare.org.uk/netline
Also, free counselling sessions are available and seeing someone face-to-face could help you overcome the addiction.
Best wishes,
Ana
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.
