Hi all
To cut a long story short, went from putting couple a quid into fruit machines to recently sticking a weeks wages on online slots. I'm in my early twentys, with a decent job and lifestyle.
I basically want to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control. And want to read and take in a much help as i can get. My partner is aware of my situation and is fully supportive, even tho she does work in a bookies!
Look forward to progressing and moving forwards with the rest of you.
Thanks
Vs
Hello Vs
Welcome to the forum.
Gambling is a progressive addiction for most, well done for taking action before it gets anymore out of control.
Self-exclusion, blocking software and handing over finances are all good barriers to put in place to help you stop gambling and take stock of your situation without causing anymore financial hardship.
From there different things work for different people. Phoning GamCare, counselling, religion, CBT, GA, hypnosis and self-help books are some options.
Keeping busy is crucial. This will take your mind off and your time away from gambling. Reading the forum is a great way to see how different people deal with their gambling addiction.
Look forward to following your progress.
Best wishes
Glint
Thank you for the reply, there was a time when i didn't even think about gambling, I was doing things that actually made me happy and that I enjoyed. But due to the stress and money loss it made that impossible. That's what I miss the most.
Thanks again glint
Hi Vs welcome to the forum I'm sure there will be others replying soon, I am the mam of a 25 year old cg so although I can sympathise, offer support and advice I can't fully understand how it all works, I wish I could. Well done to you for realising you have a problem, this is a great place for support and information. Have a good read around there are lots of success stories to read. Join the chat rooms in the evening for extra support. Hand your finances over to your partner if you can, self exclude from online gambling accounts. Order a new bank card, give it to your partner who can memorise the last 3 numbers on back then scratch them off. All these will help you abstain, good luck to you I really hope you can kick this addiction and give yourself a happy gamble free future. Wcid
Thank you wcid, any help is better than no help. Sounds cliche but biggest step for me was realising I had a problem and it couldn't carry on.
I did feel embarrassed speaking to my partner about it as she is all too familiar seeing people leave thousands down, and my loss seemed small and all most pathetic, but that loss was more than I could afford.
I will be looking into getting these online accounts blocked as it's the easiest way of actually gambling.
Thank you for the advice, how is your son getting on?
It was a good move talking to your partner, it will give you some relief that it's in the open and knowing she knows and is watching you is a deterrent in itself. This is a progressive addiction so whilst people set off small it can escalate over time so you're doing the right thing. My son is doing better than he was, I found out, he didn't admit it in fact he denied having a problem. He started off having small bets on horses to gambling £300 a week in November when I found out. This isn't as much as others but like you it was effecting his life and his health. He reduced his gambling and then abstained for the whole of February then Cheltenham came along and he had a few bets on the horses, not much because I don't leave a lot of spare money in his account. His mood has improved he is a different person, less stressed. His bills get paid on time and he is able to save money now to enjoy life. I'm prepared for some ups and downs and will be working with him to make sure he doesn't get back to where he was in November. Well done to you for all you have done so far to overcome this addiction. Wcid
Thank you, good to hear he has improved. And like you I think for any CG it's good to share it with someone, as keeping it built up you can go down a complete different path.
I tried reducing the amount I was betting, but it wasn't helping. I would put 20 in, that would go. Then without even thinking about what I was doing put another 20 in. This would repeat 4 or 5 times and do this a few times a week. It actually sickened me. So I put a full stop to it all. It strange I get more frustrated loosing 30 in the bookies than I do 200 on online, maybe because I'm not visually seeing my money getting handover ? I don't know ?
Again really happy to hear about your son, and a massive well done to you for making It happen.
Vs
Hi Vs I think with online gambling it's like Monopoly money until you see your bank statements a few days later. I'm hoping my son will stop altogether, as you say it is hard to stay in control, but it is a vast improvement and that is important. Please stay around on the site, make a diary, join a challenge like the 250 day challenge where you check in every day. It's a good site to be on. Take care. Wcid.
VS91 wrote:
Thank you for the reply, there was a time when i didn't even think about gambling, I was doing things that actually made me happy and that I enjoyed. But due to the stress and money loss it made that impossible. That's what I miss the most.
Thanks again glint
its not always possible to just turn up the clock, but lots of people trun their lives around and live with this addiction.
glint offered some good advice. take it on board
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.
