Hi everyone I am new here and looking for some support, I’m too nervous at the moment about speaking to anyone over the phone so I wanted to share here how horrible things has got.
Sunday I was up and today I am in the minus, I just do not know how to stop chasing my losses and now I feel absolutely exhausted, frustrated, anxious and like a failure.
i am a mother of 2 small children, my relationship is almost non existent and my father died suddenly recently, I suffer with anxiety and depression and I just feel like this is my only ‘escape’ from life, it’s my me time, I get such a buzz with winning then I treat myself to nice things and play more slots whilst increasing the bet value until next thing I know it’s all gone. I am just going round it circles and I am absolutely exhausted, it’s taking over my life.
sorry for the essay I just want to know how others feel and how they are seeking help, I feel statistics of losing and like a breakdown of how it’s near impossible to make money would help me to understand gambling is not the answer.
thanks guysÂ
Hi! I am also a mother of two small kids. 3 and 6, they are the light of my life. I'm in Philly, PA, USA.Â
I have been chasing losses too. I just installed blocks via Gamban and Gamblingblock which was my first step literally last night. I am fed up with myself. I'm fed up with the chasing. I wish Online gambling never existed. So I'm just trying my best to distance myself one day at a time. I'm looking for support too. My husband knows, he is accepting but I can tell it's taking a toll on him. He is my rock and I'm trying to do this for him as well as my kids and myself.Â
How did you get involved in online gambling? Do you have a support system at home? Who have you told about your problem?Â
All the best to you <3
Hello almc1416,
Welcome to the forums and well done for reaching out for support – it takes courage to do this.
I can hear the huge impact gambling is having on your life at the moment – particularly your emotional wellbeing. The exhaustion, anxiety and feelings of failure that you describe sound so hard.
It sounds like you have a lot going on with being a mum, difficulties in your relationship and losing your father recently and gambling has felt like a way to help you cope. A lot of others reading your post will understand how gambling can feel like an escape when everything is so overwhelming. But you’ve also recognised that this escape is only temporary and is keeping you trapped in a cycle.
I can hear you’d value reading about others’ experiences and getting a different perspective on the realities of gambling harms and our forums are a great, safe space for this. I’d also encourage you to get in touch with us as we’d really like to support you too. Although you’d find it too difficult to speak on the phone, we have other ways you can contact us and talk to someone if you live in Great Britain – for example, by WhatsApp, live chat or email. You’ve made such a good start already in recognising what’s kept you gambling, so perhaps we could help you look at other ways of coping with everything rather than using gambling as an escape.
It may feel really isolating and exhausting right now but we really would like to help and support you. Â
All the best,
Claire
Forum Admin
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