Out of Control Compulsive Gambler

Hi Andy

This addiction is difficult to control but it doesn't mean you are a bad person, just lost your way like the rest of us on this site. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem so please do not think that way.

It sounds like you have a supportive family so please open up to them. Yes, they may be upset but, as a parent myself, I know I would rather know about my children's problems so that I can help them and they don't have to face things alone.

You say you are not in debt and that is a good think but if you continue to gamble you soon will be, you only have to read the posts on here to see how debt can escalate when you are a compulsive gambler.

You have your sales role with Microsoft and sound like a very level-headed person. You also sound positive and I think that will help you a lot.

You will find support and encouragement on here so keep reading the posts and diaries and writing your own. If you gamble online try and put a block on your PC or whatever which will prevent you from gambling. This will give you some much needed breathing space while you gather your strength to beat this thing.

I wish you all the best in your recovery.

Keep strong.

Elfie x

Hi Elfie,

Thank you for your response.

I agree, I have tried several times and under different strategies, but I don't think I ever had the mental belief or want that I was going to quit for good.

I don't think informing my parents at this stage is the best idea considering their current health and state of mind. I will open up to them soon, just want to do the first few steps alone to prove to myself as I know I can do this.

Staying positive is hard, but honestly knowing you're not alone really gives me that extra boost and I don't feel so isolated anymore. I have taken several precautions such as detailing a dairy and also creating a list of reasons why I wanted to stop gambling and keep adding to these and this is a good reference point for me whenever I get the urge to gamble.

I appreciate the support and will keep in touch. Many thanks again!

Andy

From one Andy to Another

I see many similarities in your story to my own. I myself have been gambling since I was 18 now 22 and was found out by family after I lost all of my money, i promised my family that it wouldn't happen again. It did, and i will never forget how upset my mum was when she saw my bank statements. I gave up for a year, but here i am again.

i now feel so ashamed of myself for giving into temptation again, i have been trying to stop for a while now. I have been using this site for a week or so now and now try and visit it whenever, i feel that urge. I'm now 6 days without gambling and already feel much happier but still feel guilty for letting my family down. the only way i can make up for it, is to quit for good.

I hope this helps and makes you realise you are not alone

Hi Andy,

This story is virtually like a mirror image of my own and scarily so like even to the finer details.

I like yourself promised to stop gambling the first time to my family after being caught out with my bank statements and still continues to do so many months later. I couldn't agree more, the thing I am most sickened about isn't the money, it's the guilt that I've let down and lied to the people that mean so much to me.

I have put a daily diary together to track my progress and also have compiled a list of reasons as to why I have decided to quit gambling and keep referring to these each time I get the urge to gamble so I would highly recommend doing that also if it helps. I have added blockers onto my computer such as K9 to stop my access to any gambling sites.

I appreciate you reaching out to me, it means a lot. To have the feeling that someone is here for me and is going through this like myself makes me feel a lot more secure and really think we can fight this together. Please feel free to keep in contact telling me how you are getting on and if you ever are feeling isolated or need someone to talk to then please don't hesitate.

Many thanks,

Andy