Hi all,
I've decided to join this site as i have made the realisation that I have a pretty serious gambling problem and i'd love some advice.
It started with just a few pounds on a footy bet at the weekend but it's now escalated to online, bookies & casinos and i am getting worried. I have got myself into a right old pickle with debt (payday loans mainly) which i am so ashamed about and all this is to feed my gambling addiction.
What is scaring me the most is how much i want to gamble every day. I cant walk past a bookies without going in, it's driving me mad and ruining my life. I always thought I had a lot of self control but this has taken control of me and i'm not sure what to do.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Alex01,
First of all well done for admitting to your problem.
It's the first and most important step in the right direction.
Giving the right advise is easy saying because even we have all the same problem, we have all a different background.
What helped me in the past the most was dealing open to everyone with my addiction on this way I've used my family and friends without them actually knowing it as security guards because if they would see me gambling they could tell me off. But even this kind of outing yourself is not the guarantee for not gambling I'm the best example for it though.
But I think you do the right thing already in posting here.Mwaybw you have the chance when ever you feel like gambling phone a friend and tell them about your feeling and if possible ask for a meating it really helps.
I wish you the very best on your way out of it
Wolfgang
Hello Alex01
Welcome to the forum.
Well done on recognising the problem with your gambling and for seeking advice. Your gambling has escalated and you are experiencing financial difficulties and are getting into debt through payday loans which is making you feel ashamed. You feel that you have lost control over your gambling and it is ruining your life.
There are strategies that you can use to help you over come your gambling problems some of which are self-exclusion of casinos and bookies and also installing blocking software to block access to online gambling sites. Some people also think about arranging their finances in ways that slow down how quickly they can access their money, or limiting their ability to spend online.
Please feel welcome to talk things through with a GamCare adviser on 0808 8020 133 or on our netline. The advisers can provide emotional support and helpful information, as well as facilitate referrals to one to one counselling appointments if you’d like to access that service too.
Best wishes
Rachel.
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