Hi everyone, I'm not normally the type of person to open up to anyone, let alone the hideous situation that I now find myself in due to my binge gambling. I don't gamble everyday, maybe even weeks, but when I do it's hard to explain what goes in my head. In hindsight after a bad session, nothing else seems real, let alone care about anything apart from spinning the wheel or playing another hand of blackjack, an obsession, in a zone where nothing else matters or is important. The money I lose doesn't seem real at the time, just numbers on a screen constantly changing, not the feel of real money in your hand. I have probably lost 40-50k in five years. I lost 5k on my birthday last week. More loans were applied for and thankfully rejected. Since last Thursday I have never felt so bad in my life. Terrible anxiety, panic attacks whereby it feels I may never breathe again. No sleep. Terrible thoughts about not seeing anyway out. I need help. I recognise I need help. I will post more tomorrow, I need to try to sleep if possible. Thank you for reading this.
Hi mate, it might seem hard right now with no clear direction on a way out. But I promise you we are all here to help you through this. You have opened up which is a good thing. I’d advise you sign up to Gamstop and self exclude from a lot of sites. My driving force is the feeling of being able to overcome this horrible addiction. Find a motive to stop and it will become easier. Happy to talk more when you are online. Stay safe and stay wellÂ
Â
all the bestÂ
Hi. Your situation sounds similar to mine. I've probably lost the same amount too. It's awful. But you have opened up and admitting the problem and talking about it is a small step forward so give yourself credit for that. Block sites. Self exclude. Just do it. You will get insane overwhelming urges to gamble but each time those urges will pass.Â
Hi there,Â
I have gambled for years on and off but always found a way of managing to recover, through family bail outs or worse case, my partner who has no money because she has now finished her maternity leave. I kept looking for a quick cash solution and always come worse off. This is done by playing online poker. I have an overwhelming urge to play and make every effort to do so regardless of the consequences after. This time was the last straw, because I literally spent all but enough money to cover food. regardless of the all the other bills, (Mortgage, gas, electric etc) all keeping a roof over my families head. Not really a role model for my partner an 2 children. I bit the bullet this time and made the first step and called gamcare and they are going to get back to me in a couple of days with some over the phone CBT. I hate the feeling and what feels like a disease, because I like to think I am so motivated and positive and do have a lot going in my life and worry this could ruin it. I have self excluded myself from online sites for +5yrs. Here is to a better future. They should remove gambling. It ruins to many lives.Â
Dear mm1975,
Thank you for your post to the Gam Care Forum; it doesn't sound like it was easy for you to write about what have clearly been really difficult times for you.
I do hope that you'll be able to see that there is help and support available, and by writing this post you have reached out to take the difficult first step. If you have not done so already and you feel you are able, I would encourage you to contact the helpline on 0808 8020 133 or if it feels more comfortable to do so the netline, both of which are available 24 hours a day and where you will be able to speak confidentially to an adviser who will be able to outline all the options available to you. As others have said these include gambling blocks, self-exclusion and restrictions on access to money to gamble through to referral to free treatment support which will allow you to look at the bigger picture of your gambling which might include any contributing or underlying issues or triggers. If you are regularly experiencing panic attacks or low mood it may also be worth considering speaking to your GP.Â
I wish you all the very best, please do take good care.
Helen
Forum Admin
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.
