Since around the age of 17/18 I have been gambling on sports, casinos, online, fixed betting terminals. It’s got worse and worse and worse over time.I am now 24 years old and recon I have had around 40-50k out of my parents pockets to bail me out time and time again. I feel anxiety and depression 24/7 because of my actions. To think of what I’ve done to my parents makes me sick to my stomach.
Blackjack has ruined my life. For about the last 4/5 years my New Years resolution is to become debt free and just have the ‘odd’ sports bet now and again- believe me this resolution has never been even considered come 15th January it’s totally out the window if not before. Birthdays and Xmas are an absolute struggle. I earn good money but my financial commitments due to debt mean I struggle to even buy Xmas cards never mind presents. I earn over 30k a year but my bank is lucky to read 30p all year.. I know full well gambling is never going to get me out of debt but I continue to do it again and again. My debt is bad and it’s getting me seriously down, it’s putting stress on my relationship aswell as friends and family. I’ve borrowed/begged nearly every one of my friends to lend me money, because of this I’ve lost a lot of goodfriends and the friendships I’ve still got will never be the same. I’ve got no shame all my self respect has gone. I’m just desperate to get my hands on whatever money I possibly can. Wether it’s to gamble or to pay off debt I’ll take it off anyone who is willing to give it me and I’m willing to pay any price they want for it.
I’ve taken out loans at rediculous APR % which has made my life even harder. I don’t know where to turn anymore I’m at my whitsend with it all, please help me.
Well done Adam for posting, first step in recovery is admitting we actually have a problem.
My story was similar to your own, I have wasted to such time and money over the past 20 years of my life its ridiculous adn I have nothing to show for it, but hten again I did not admit I had a problem. Even when I got in to debt and my partner found out, I too thought I would stop the silly stuff and just do my 'odd' sports bets at the weekend. But although most of the time I was diciplined it was not long before it got out of control again. Then I went to my local GA meeting determined to turn my life around and I am almost 200 days bet free. Its a slow process and not an easy one but if you really stop gambling (all forms, even raffle tickets) and work hard at your recovery you can turn your life around. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Hi Adam
well done for posting you are in the right place to start if help is what you want!
You are in the same spot as me I'm 25 and got 20k debt and lost friends etc etc...I had my moment of clarity and i have a daughter on the way and now I'm 18 days gamble free, not a long time but believe me you feel 18 million times better.
You need to remember you still have a relationship and a family do they all know your situation.
I haven't been more than maybe a few days gamble free in 7 years and spent probably 30k and I'm 20k in debt.....The only reason I am surviving and Gamble free is because I opened up fully no holes barred. Also mate get the bars on accounts and the software and go into the casino and tell them to stuff it etc etc.
You, like me are young. Some people only stop when it's too late, or worse they lose everything....come on mate let's crack on and get some gamble free days under your belt and see how you feel then!
Also get concealing from here its unbelievably valuable
Good luck pal
Thanks Guys, great to know there’s help out there. I have arranged for some online councilling on Tuesday with someone from Gamcare so hopefully this will start to get me on the straight and narrow. Thanks again
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