Had a problem for quiet some time, have tried everything to stop. Someone holding my card, not having much money on me at any one time, nothing seems to work. Have a beautiful girlfriend and a really good job but straight away pay day comes only one thing comes into my mind. Any advice?
You have come to this forum because you have recognised that you have a problem.
Well done.
Tell your girlfriend that you have a gambling problem and get help. This site offers phone support and there are Gamblers Anonymous meetings everywhere.
You have taken the first step in becoming gamble free.
Good luck to you both.
Hi lc123456,
Welcome to the Forum, and well done for posting here.
By posting here, you’ve already taken the first step to recovery. The important thing is that you try read regularly from here, and follow the strategies and boundaries that you can identify with from some of the postings. Just as others used it to overcome their addiction problem, you can also apply these strategies to yourself to help you beat your addiction.
Gambling addiction is difficult to try and overcome it by yourself; you need professional help to do that.
Knowing about some of these strategies and boundaries from the forum will strengthen/ empower you to follow suit. It will also create some awareness for you; to know that you’re not alone in this, that there is hope for you to overcome your gambling addiction. It is doable, and you can do it, lc123456!
It’s good that you have a supportive girlfriend who perhaps you can discuss your feelings with especially when you feel the urge coming on.
You didn’t mention the type of gambling that you do, but if it’s at the bookies/ casinos, then you can go for Self Exclusion from all these places that you gamble from.
Also, do your best to exclude for a very long period of time so your mind will get use to the idea of not gambling.
Additionally, you ought to fill the spare time that you get from not gambling with other hobbies that are not related to gambling, this is so that you don’t feel bored.
It’s important that you keep to distracting yourself from gambling activities.
Perhaps it would be advisable to contact our free phone Helpline on 0808 8020 133 and speak to one of our specially trained advisers; who will provide you with some
information on internet blocking software to stop you from accessing gambling sites, and more.
Gamcare can also offer you twelve sessions of free counselling if you think it would help you in overcoming your gambling addiction.
Thanks again for posting here, and please keep posting as often as you can.
Best wishes,
Beatrice
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.
