Hello , my name is Tom , Im 18
I have gambled on the friut machines ever since I was 15 , I cannot go a day withuoit gambling on the fruit machines , I tent to play deal or no deals. Im that bad now I cant even have 1 drink in a pub without going on the friut machine , last week I lost over £500 its badly taking voer my life and im scared that soon I will lose the people around me what should I do ??
Iv already got my moey out foir my next holiday and that money is for the fruit machine yet again , I find it harder now as the machine jackpots have been icreased to £100 , I have tried stopping myself in the past , I lasted 4 days and then the temptation kicked in.
Some days I dont eat because I save my moey up so that I can gamble.
Please help me guys I dont knowwhat to do anyomre
Tom
Hi Tom,
Welcome.
Without doubt you are addicted. You can turn your life around though and kick the habit.
I feel you should put your finances in the hands of a trusted family member. You have to make sure you do not have cash on you to gamble.
You can chat with Gamcare online and arrange some free counselling through them. Attending local GA meetings is another option.
Block all your devices with K9 to prevent online gambling. Get someone else to set the password and keep it secret from you.
Keep busy if you can. This helps to keep your mind off gambling.
Try the 2015 challenge on here and or keep a diary on the forum.
Others may post advice on here as well.
Take Care
Hi Tom
Welcome to the forum.
It sounds like your need to play the fruit machines have taken over your life and now you feel that you are no longer able to control your behaviour in this respect.
Today you have taken a big step on your journey to overcoming your gambling problems by asking for help, please keep reading and posting on the forum and you will receive advice and support. There is a large community of people on the forum who want to help and really understand your struggle with gambling.
You could also think about joining our chatroom http://www.gamcare.org.uk/chat which runs every evening between 8pm and 9pm where you will have the opportunity to talk to others who are also taking steps to overcome their gambling issues.
You may also like to call our helpline and talk things through with a GamCare adviser on 0808 8020 133 or on our netline service. The advisers can provide emotional support and helpful information as well as facilitate a referral to free one to one counselling appointments, if you would like to access that service.
Best wishes
Forum Admin.
Tom at 18 you have recognised the problem , get some help mate the sooner you deal with the problem the better your life will be.
At 18 you have everything ahead of you , I am 35 now and wish I could have stopped when I was 18 , would have saved me endless financial messes , lies , losing girlfriends , cars and family.
The only way is to totally abstain , with peoples help on here they will help you do that.
john010380 wrote:
Tom at 18 you have recognised the problem , get some help mate the sooner you deal with the problem the better your life will be.
At 18 you have everything ahead of you , I am 35 now and wish I could have stopped when I was 18 , would have saved me endless financial messes , lies , losing girlfriends , cars and family.
The only way is to totally abstain , with peoples help on here they will help you do that.
Like John says fantastic you've realised what gambling can do to you
Get in touch with gamcare soon. They offer free counselling and it can help
Alternatively there are places like GA that may be able to help you if you need the help
Hi tom
You may have noticed that everyone has given you a pat on the back for posting your story on here at 18 and rightly so...the reason....we all wish that at that age we could have stopped the fate that has befallen us and wish that we could have turned back the clock and chose a different path.
I assume you go to pubs with friends who will undoubtedly be aware of your shortcomings and are probably fed up with your behaviour...let them help you. Tell them to keep you away from the machines...give them your money before you go into the pub and only give it to you when its your round until your in a better place..only take 20 or 30 quid out with you...its all you need unless your out on a bender. You cant enjoy going out to the pub when you know the inevitable outcome. I guarantee you are no fun to be with.
Put measures in place...take advice from people on here..read peoples stories and realise you are heading down the wrong road.
Stay strong
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