hello everyone
I have just joined today as I suppose I'm looking for help. No one knows about my gambling problem, and I have never talked about it so I'm hoping this can give me the boost I need to stop.
mainly I bet on football accumilators and inplay football bets, also play a lot of roulette, I gamble often and every weekend with out fail. I'm not in any debt yet from this but it's definantly heading that way. When I was 20 I got into debt from gambling but managed to sort it out, but 5 years later I've slipt back into that life and gamble even more now.
I close all my online accounts but still I open new ones, I go into my local bookmakers, which are everywhere and gamble regularly, lately I have discovered the casino and go there often.
all I do is think of gambling, after I gamble I feel dirty and ashamed, and promise never to gamble again, then soon after I'm at it again even though I know I can't win, the situation depresses me and I've found myself not caring about things I used to, drinking more and just thinking what's the point to life. Nothing makes me happy anymore and I just want to stop and save money instead of worinh all week for nothing. No one knows about my problem and I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone as I feel week if I do. I'm hoping talking can help me get my life back on track.
Look up your local gamblers anonymous meeting and go to it. Don't be worried. It worked well for me as a kick start. Made me realise a few home truths. Only after that did I not get as bothered to start telling people.
Hi Jono1989,
Well done for your post, and welcome to the forum.
In agreement with you, I do hope that by sharing your concerns about your gambling problem here, that burden of staying in isolation and secrecy will begin to fade away, and enable you to access the maximum help and support that you need from us, and also from all the appropriate quarters.
Your determination to speak now brings to mind the understanding that sharing your gambling problem lessens the impact it has on you. You finally managed to make that brave move, and I hope you keep it up. Hopefully, some forum members would be able to respond to your post too, and thus encourage you on (you’ve already had one from Change).
You also said you closed your online account but always managed to find a way of opening new ones. Perhaps you’ll like to read about, and install one of the following blocking software which will stop you from accessing gambling sites. They are: Gamblock, Net Nanny, and Betfilter.
Gambling problem as you might have realised, is difficult to try and overcome it by yourself; most people need professional help to do that. By signing up to the forum, you have given yourself a good opportunity for support. By reading the posts from the forum, you’ll get to learn more advice on strategies and boundaries to put in place, and to help you to overcome your problematic gambling.
I suggest you contact us via our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers for further help.
Thanks for your post, and pls. keep posting.
Best wishes,
Beatrice
Hi, how you doing? Well done for coming on here and posting. Its a good place to come for advice, support, ideas and encouragement.
I used to be in a similar position when nobody knew about my gambling. Obviously it was because I was ashamed and embarassed and at the time it helped me carry on gambling if nobody knew. My partner at the time found out and now some of the people around me know of my problem. I would encourage you to seek support from those around you. It's a massive help in the fight against this addiction.
If you continue to bet you are likely to fall in to debt so I applaud you for trying to stop before you reach those depths. There are a world of other things to spend your hard earned money on. Easier said than done I know, but one you break the cycle hopefully you'll get great reward from spending your money on yourself.
I did the same in terms of closing all my account buts always finding another. Best thing you can do is install some of the software recommended on here. Also self exclude from the bookies/casino.
It sounds like you're ready to do something about the gambling and also feeling pretty low. Maybe try the chatrooms on here and also some counselling? You can only take it one day at a time. Every day you can stay off is a massive victory for you. Those days will snowball and i believe it will become easier the longer you can keep from betting. I have been to bed after gambling feel sick, alone, isloated and totally devastated so i know ow you feel. I also know that you can beat the addiction and stop by using the services on here, self excluding, installing software and using all the will power you have. The reward at the end will be worth the struggle.
You can do it mate. Keep going
Good post Craig16.
We all know that sick, lonely feeling. It's horrible and I don't want to go there again.
Cheers.
stopping and staying stopped are rediculously hard sometimes
but there is help and hope
get in touch with gamcare and if that doesn't help GA should be able to help
One thing i've learnt is i've gotta want to stop. Half attempts don't work for those stuck with gambling
I too have been struggling with gambling and I still have relapses and you probably will too, but you never quit trying to quit. That is the key ....and you will find you feel stronger in your fight against it if you stay active on the forum here it is important to read & post every day if possible or as much as you can. Trust me after a while of doing it you'll see that it helps like it has helped so many on here. Start your own recovery diary in the recovery diary sections, would be my recommendation.
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.
