Hi folks, I'm not sure if I'll stick around but I finally made an account after realising I had a gambling problem 5 years ago... I believed I had things under control for a long time but I actually just had more disposal income and made lower bets.
I keep going round in circles of winning a bit of money, losing a lot of money, going into debt and then gambling when I have money as a 'quick fix' only to start from the beginning. Each time, I end up in more debt than I started with and tonight I lost a month's worth of wages (half of which was from my overdraft) after losing the same amount a couple of nights ago. As soon as I stop I regret it but I can't even accept a win any more because this debt is looming over me and when I'm in the gambling mindset I feel like I need to go all or nothing (probably due to having big wins on my last borrowed tenner on multiple occasions on the past).
I've sought help before but I didn't find it useful and I've gotten to the point where I'm lying to my partner because I'm ashamed of this problem. As it stands, it'll take 16 months to pay off my debt in full but I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel because each time I make progress, I fool myself into believing I can bet a small amount - this started in August and I originally worked out that my debts will be paid off by November but I just can't control it.
I also have a family to support and I'm the main breadwinner in the household and I'm worried I'm going to get us permanently stuck in debt because our outgoings are already scaled back as much as possible and we don't have much left after each paycheck regardless of my gambling debts.
I wasn't expecting to get that all out already but I guess it gives you an idea of my current circumstances.
Any advice is appreciated but I feel like I've tried everything and failed already (blocked from so many sites but I always find a new one, even if it takes a few hours etc.)
As you can see, I'm on a pretty bad low due to losing so much over the last couple of nights but I hope that joining a community like this can help me quit for real this time.
Hi my friend and welcome,
Very similar story to myself. I am 4 days without gambling. It has taken me 15 years to admit that I have a serious problem. We have made that step which is the hardest so the rest is focus.
Keep thinking about your family through the hard times and log on here and have a post. I log on at least twice a day and it's really helping.
You are not alone in this and there is light at the end of the tunnel for all of us with the right mindset.
Regards, John
Hi
Hold on!!!
Keep up with this!
And most important - stay focused on the family!
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