Evening all,
I have always had a compulsive personality, once I start something I can not stop. Gambling was a personality trait I have had since I was young, betting 2p in the slots and penny falls. Then when I hit 18 I knew it would start, online casinos and blackjack got me. Started with the standard £10 bet to try it out, then £10 bets every other day turned into £40 bets everyday. It was killing me, the disgusting feeling of knowing you are spending your money but you just could not stop yourself and disappointing your family in the process even if they did not know about it.
I only turned 18 a couple of months ago, but in that time I wasted about £2k on what.... The pockets of the house who are the only winners at the end of the day. w*********l, 888Casino, 32red, U****t - all of these websites - think to yourself; how do these survive? They are a business they must earn a profit to keep going and providing their vile services. We are the mugs that give them that profit by consisntley putting our money in the system.
I enjoyed gambling at first, it was something I could do to fill time with a little £20 bet here and there. But it all came to a head last week on Thursday. I broke down telling my parents what I had done, this was honestly the best thing I done. They were disappointed and upset, but I did not expect anything less. I kept it too myself for 3 months, that may not seem a long time but being just 18 it was tough, going to bed every night, lying there thinking about the money I lost telling myself "I would never do it again" blah blah blah but knowing somewhere in the back of my mind that I would be back on the online casino tomorrow. The biggest upset for me now is not the money I lost, because what is the point looking back on the money we lost? We lost it, we will not get it back. The biggest upset was the trust with my family, I am very close with my family and now having them walk on egg shells is awful, but that trust is being built back up.
We come to Sunday 27th January (today) it may only be 4 days gambling free, but I feel no urge to gamble at all not after seeing the upset that is caused my family. Stop your addictions now guys, get signed up to GAMSTOP, tell your families they will be disappointed at the start but will help you, trust me! Casinos; there is only one winner and that is the house! I am only 18, only had been gambling for 3 months but that time was a very low point in my life, and it has taught me a massive lesson knowing I can never do it again.
Hi matt welcome to the forum, you seem like a bright young man and one who sees this as the point of the end of your gambling and the start of your adult life. Write off those losses as money spent on a lesson. I wish you all the success in the world.
Hi Adam,
Really appreciate your comments! It has made me see massive sense. Just hoping to start helping other young people, who start off the same as me. Because there are a lot of people that have been gambling for years, but I want to be able to help people who have only been doing it a couple of months and realise it needs to stop.
Well done! I take it you’ve signed up to Gamstop? Do consider opening a Monzo bank account also as its gambling block function is really good.
Try not to take any bailouts if offered by family as this makes things worse.
Whatever you do, don’t get complacent... Years down the line, when the pain is forgotten, you may think you’re now able to control it, that a little bet won’t hurt.. but it will get you in a mess again if you listen to that voice.
You're young Matt, you've got time on your side.
If you ever feel the need to gamble again, same for anyone reading this, have a read of this forum https://www.gamcare.org.uk/forums/family-friends
It'll make you NOT gamble. It's the friends and family of gamblers. It's horrendous reading, but sometimes you need a jolt to wake you up from the gamble haze.
Good luck.
Well done Matt,
Sounds like you got your lesson, your on Day 6. Your family will get over the shock. Forget about the money. Keep strong.
Get yourself healed first then your be ready to help young ones like you. Your nearly at 1 week..
Bella
Nice
@brucey-b - Thanks for your comments, Brucey. I am signed up with GAMSTOP for the longest period they have.The Monzo bank account is a good suggestion, but as I am only 18 and do not have a full time job, my parents are going to control my finances for now.
@Mccawpa - Thanks for commenting, will definitley take a look at that section. Onto day 8 tomorrow, still not feeling any urge just because of the upset I saw it cause to my family.
@ChasingRainbows - Thanks for your kind words! Day 8 tomorrow now 😉
Just a quick update on me, today was 7 days GF and it has been the nicest week not having to lie about what I was doing and just enjoying other things without the constant thoughts of gambling and the guilt of the money you did lose!
Anyone feeling like that need to tell someone, please do it! Talking is the first step to get yourself better, it is tough seeing the effect it has on your family at first but they will never see you go without!
Hey Matt. Thanks for taking the time to post on my thread. The support means a great deal to me. I remember when I was 18, should have had the world at my feet but I was lost in the gambling abyss. Fast forward 20 odd years and I am finally starting to realise what I hope you are realising. I am on no position to give advice but I will offer you this...dont concentrate to much on the past. Doing that won't bring your money back or right the wrongs you have done. Stay positive and build yourself a future. Now, if I ever think about a bet, I come on here and read the hurt gambling has caused so many people. I am lucky, something inside me has clicked and I know I won't gamble again. But as an addict, it will always be there. Live your life one day at a time. Today, I will not gamble. Stay strong brother.
Afternoon guys,
Hope you are all having an excellent day. Just a little update from me I am now 15 days gamble free, and they have been the best 15 days, no guilt, being able to go to bed in peace. At 18 years old, it is not easy to give up something that was a massive addiction and that cost me a lot of money. But, you have the chance to give it up! Get rid of it out of life today, and start enjoying life without using these disgusting, vulgar online platforms.
Hey Matt.
How you getting on? Cheers for the message of support man.
Well done for spotting it so young , at 18 reaslising you have a compulsive gambling problem is good and I only wish I would have realised as early as you! Trust me you will never have nothing if you carried on. The gamble is all you think about in regards to the money you have. That's why if you think/know you have a problem you should not gamble. I'm a sucker for the online slots when I gambled also, i watch people playing them on YouTube to get my fix now , not advising this as it may tempt you but I find it helps me to not gamble as they lose most of the time lol.
Take it easy mate and good luck
Afternoon guys,
Nice to come back to give you all a little update. 127 days gamble free, currently going through a tough period of examinations, but giving me focus and something to work hard for. But 127 days and it is a distant memory now!
Hope you are all doing well!
Well done Matt. Now listen to this advice from a 41 year old Matt to Matt junior:
Don’t do it again!
Im 150 days GF but it’s the first time since I was your age. Just think of all that wasted money, but even worse the wasted time (where I could’ve been doing something better) and the wasted energy (both physical and emotional).
Don’t do it again!! Check in again at 150 and after your exams. All the best.Â
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