I’ve just recently admitted to myself that I have a problem. I broke down a week ago today and told my partner and parents that I couldn’t stop gambling. It was so easy to spend so much money. I couldn’t stop playing blackjack perfect pairs, because the return was so high, when I won anyways. I was so used to not having to work over time and just gambling to bulk up my wage up. And for awhile I knew when to stop myself and I was able to stop for awhile. But these past 4 months I don’t know what happened. I lost and won back and then eventually losing it all again. A total of £9000 that I had saved with my partner so go into business with some friends. Now am lucky that my parents are going to help with the money. But what I can’t shake is the urge to gamble. It’s like I can’t stop thinking that one more perfect will fix this mess I’ve gotten myself into.
I feel like am after a quick fix which is stupid to think I can fix something so quickly. I’ve self excluded myself from all the sites. But we all know there’s always more you can join. I want to stop these urges but I don’t know how to do it. Am hopefully finally making myself talk about it. I’ll be able to push the urges away because next time I don’t know how much I’d lose. Am hopefully with posting on here and reading everyone’s stories then I can finally start to accept and get better instead of being so angry at myself.
Hi I've been thinking about your post since I read it yesterday. The thing that springs to mind is your parents helping you. That is not recommended, bailouts set you free. The other thing is you going into business with your partner and friends. If you mean what you say and you are worried about 'next time' you need to be accountable for your actions. My advice would be that you have no access to anything financial. Encourage your partner to seek advice about gambling addiction. They need to safeguard their money. You should call gamcare, hand over your personal finances and try a GA meeting. If your worried you might do more damage you're not being honest about how bad this is. You should be looking for ways to not gamble today. Online blocks, self exclusion, complete honesty and transparency.
Hi Bxcxa,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for your post too.
Well done for admitting to your gambling problem to your family, and who seems ready to offer you all the support that you need to overcome this.
However, I echo what fellow forum member – Merry go round wrote in response to your post. Much as your family would like to help you with your gambling problem, paying off your debt for you is like giving you the wrong signal; as though you can gamble, and they (others) would foot the bill.
It would be advisable to take responsibility of your actions by seeking professional help to overcome your problematic gambling.
It would help you to contact Gamcare on our free phone Helpline: 0808 8020 133, and have a chat with one of our advisers regarding help and support available to you.
I wish you the best in your journey to recovery, and please keep posting!
Kind regards,
Beatrice
I understand and completely see where you’re comments are coming from and they are completely justified.
Sounds like you've taken some big steps towards stopping, well done. It does help to have that support so telling your family is a big thing. Recovery is about working through why you feel the need to gamble. Working out what triggers it and learning to love/respect yourself again. Keep at it 🙂
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