I am new to this forum, I'm hoping this can help with my compulsive gambling addiction. It all started back in 2016 when my friend invited me to go to bingo and then encouraged me to play the slot machines with them on the 20p machines for community, I was never interested in first and saw it as a waste of money but we went on occasions for a bit of fun and nothing to serious always playing on the community machines. Since then I have grown a compulsion for gambling and it triggered when I played on slot machine and won money. Now I'm in the position of going nearly everyday or as soon as I have money in my bank to go and always end up playing the highest stake on the slot machines in hopes of chasing that feeling of winning big. It's got to the point where I have maxed out credit cards taken out loans stuck in overdrafts on multiple bank accounts, instead of paying for bills I will use the money to gamble instead hoping to win big to set me up for the month with extra cash. I'm finding when I lose I will find any means to go back or find money to go back to try and get back what I have lost. I got paid today and went straight after work cause I knew I had money in the bank and ended up losing 600 pound when I was only meant to.use 100 pound, this has now lead me to not being able to afford bills this month let alone Xmas. I need advice on how to cope or what to do when I get that insane Compulsion to go gambling as I can't seem to stop myself when it's racking my brains, my friend has suggested I ban myself but I just can't get the strength to do it and if I do I know I will find another way to gamble, as a result I'm nearly 10k in debt with no idea how to pay this money back, I just can't get over the thrill and intensity of spinning, it's leading to mental health issues the more it impacts on my anxiety and depression and I honestly feel like I'm going out of my mind, if only i knew how hard this addiction would become. I want to go back to living a normal life not being in debt and increasing it by gambling and being able to socialise normally with friends who want to do something instead of always saying I can't as I have no money but the moment I get some end up wasting it in a gambling venue. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated as I feel this is getting out of control and ruining my lifeÂ
Hello @9av7rbsqt3
Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with your gambling and well done for reaching out.
I would like to encourage you to make contact with us via our helpline on 0808 8020 133,Live Chat, WhatsApp or Facebook and an adviser will be happy to discuss support and options available to your own individual needs.
The helpline is available 24 hours and we look forward to hearing from you
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Something that helped me was saying to myself, "I'm sick and I need treatment to get better" I sought out recovery options and put financial conrols/blocks in place. As the above post mentions, you should definitely reach out to Gamcare and get emotional support and find a recovery plan that works for you
Hello, I am also new to this app and I read your story I most definitely can relate. It's crazy how gambling can have that much control over you. With me I always say going to play a set amount and always dig a whole for myself. Everytime I get any money I always blow it on gambling instead of using it for something better. I owe so many people and I don't know why I play knowing that my luck is always set to lose. My Boss told me the system is set for you to feed it for the next person to hit big.. man it's such a sucky feeling. When I get it up I always feel like I need more and play everything until I have nothing else to play. I can definitely relate but, one day at a time. I hope this all really works. Good luck to you on this journey.
Hi youve took the first step im on day 17 gf its hard but this service is brilliant ive had 1 to 1 support and posted on the forum and used live chat keep going take it 1 day at a time and youll get thereÂ
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