hi all my name is Louise, im 41 and have been gambling about 20 years!! started just going to bingo halls but now just stay in and play online slots! ive played them all barred myself excluded but i will always find a new site to give me my fix. I was in some sort of control untill june when things have spiralled out of control and im spending all my bill,food clothes money online trying to recover my losses! of course i never do 🙁 ive won big but always put it back in whether I withdraw or reverse withdrawal so never actually winning anything. I deposit play lose and then spend the next few hours worrying feeling guilty then getting angry and it goes on. Im becomming more and more depressed as I think im the only one and punish myself. My partner knows im an addict but doesn't know ive become really bad recently, im so ashamed of myself and desperately want to feel human again, get off the gambling, lead a normal life as possible.
Hi Louise, welcome to our Forum and well done for making your first post.
I can hear that you have ben gambling for a long time and are desperate for some support - wanting to know what you can do and if you are alone, but you’re not Louise, we are here to support you as well as your peers in similar situations to yourself.
It sounds like you are aware and have attempted to self-exclude from online betting sites, however then experience an overwhelming urge to gamble again, using another site, chasing your losses and experiencing the aftermath of emotions - feeling guilty and ashamed, angry and frustrated as well as feeling anxious. You also mention that the last three months things have escalated and you punish yourself, it important for you to be patient and easy with yourself Louise. Overcoming a gambling addiction takes time - you will get there. As challenging as it may seem, you have accepted that you have a gambling addiction and have also expressed the willingness to want to change, so you’ve moving in the right direction.
It’s great that you have been able to express your difficulty with gambling with us, consider also sharing your struggle with your partner who will be of support to you. You can get in touch with us also, and speak with an Adviser to talk about what has been going on for you, to look at what options are available to you and also what support you would like. We are open from 8am to 12 midnight daily and can reach us on our Freephone numbers on 0808 8020 133 or alternative speak with an Adviser via a Netline call.
Keep posting.
Best wishes,
Saffron
Thank you so much for taking the time respond was starting to think no one was going to reply 🙂 I have read lots of peoples stories and this has made me feel a lot better than I did I literally thought I was the only one! Ive started using the diaries too as this helps me see where im at and hopefully i can look back and use this to keep me positive. I never realised just how addicted I was its unbelievably hard to just stop! I will keep going I have to try!! thank you again. I'm also going to have some counselling maybe I can find the route cause.
Hi, I have recently realised that I have become addicted to slots. It has got to the stage where I am actually not bothered if I win, it is the playing and trying to get the bonuses which has me hooked. I am going to seek counselling as this habit is self destructive and I do not know why I am doing it. Good luck
Ian I def kno where you are coming from its the bonuses, lights, fun but then it consumes your life and the scary thing is you dont realise it until you hit rock bottom. this site has really help me see I am not alone! thank you and good luck 🙂
The online companies use various tactics to keep us hooked , I always find one big win and then go chasing the bigger one which probably doesnt exist.
Most bookies now offer free bets every day to get us onto the sites but before long the bonus is gone and we end up spending money we dont really have and then spending money and changing things around which makes our personal life suffer.
I even used to cancel direct debits when I had lost knowing I couldnt cover a certain bill.
I think the main thing is to install a good gambling website blocker on all the machines we use for gambling.
I downloaded one for my pc and that helps massively knowing my home computer can no longer be turned into a vegas style casino.
all the companies have an endless bag of tricks and incentives to keep us playing
even when the money's gone they let me free play
kind of them lol
tri
All of what you say applies to me I am female 46 and struggling like hell just inherited 15,000 which is like letting a child loose in a sweet shop I could pay of all my debts but playing the slots online is more appealing my nan who left me the money would be horrified with what I am doing with her hard earned money that doesn't make me see sense I am having counselling for depression that I have had for years the reason I'm depressed is to do with the fact I gamble but I can't stop I'm on a no winner I to want to be normal I have won big lots of times but like everybody else I put it back so really you don't win you are just loaned the money as it all goes back to them .
gambling is so destructive in so many ways!! I am only learning just how destructive since ive been on here, this is why this site is great 🙂 I managed to block myself and then a letter came this morning with a very enticing offer for me so I cant win! I will say the letter went in the recycling but it could have been different! Its about having the will power to say no! I know easier than it looks but I want this sooooo bad I will win. Ive been to the gym loads this week it helps. I still get the urges to play but Im training myself to take myself away and keep busy! I have my first councelling on monday through gamcare so hope this helps also i will try anything!
One thing I am doing is looking everyday how much money i have in the bank and Im amazed in just a few days I have money!!!! On day 7 I will treat myself to something nice its worth trying 🙂 happy recovery guys x thanx for writing
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