Hi All
I am 33 years old, and am 33 days gamble free. I'm determined to make sure this number keeps on growing.
I've lost a fair chunk of money since 18 years old, I would say around 25k.
I am currently reading a book by Allen Carr, near the end now, and can say my desire to gamble has now gone, however I know every person would deal with it in their own way.
A recent binge caused me to lose most of that 25k.
I did initially see a councillor after my last binge as I could not believe the amount I lost, but after the 1st visit I decided not to go, but instead read the Allen Carr book.
My wife is now aware of what I did, and like most other gamblers would say, it felt like a weight had lifted from my shoulders. I've always been the bread winner, and felt an immense amount of pressure to provide for my wife, and 2 children. I had always dealt with the finances.
Time is slowly healing me, and becuase I am determined to make sure I will never gamble again, I am starting to think differently towards money, as money is initially the made reason I gambled.
Over a life time 25k is a lesson learnt, be it an expensive one.
In the process now re-building finances, and get back on the straight and narrow.
I assume most people lose money obtained from one of the below, and everyone feels the same way when they lose regardless of where the money came from.
1) life savings accumulated through working hard
2) money they never had in the first place, borrowing via loans or credit cards
3) borrowing from family and friends
4) stealing from somewhere
One thing I mentioned to my wife was we sort of live in a cashless society, and numbers on screen are all we see. Physically feeling cash the cash in my hand would of made me think twice.
Thanks for reading
Hi ive just had a binge session yesterday, lost alot of money and gained alot of anxiety, im feeling the dreaded gambling hangover today, i might read this book, i have no idea of the amount ive lost over the years but i imagine its also around 25k, such a waste, good luck with your recovery
Hi
Its true we could never win and we had a funny relationship with money.
I had become so depressed that I become bored with shopping for anything and that didnt help either. The fix I needed from wanting to gamble had replaced everything.
Im still coming to terns with and addiction so powerful that I gambled all my rent and food money. I mean how out of control was I and what was I thinking??
I would be wary of comparing the cashless society though. I had plenty of actual cash in my hand and went off to gamble with it. I was drawing it out of the servicetill like it was monopoly money and had no meaning. This is an addiction so strong that it negates the value of money yet somewhere inside me the money played a part in wanting more. Its so complex that I was bored of money and sick of my life. I totally ignored the odds with some sort of feeling that I deserved to win a bit more because I was poor and deserving of some luck.
With counselling its clear I was playing for escape and emotions above all else.
Anyway all the best, keep talking about it and keep those blocks in place as we must never be complacent
Thanks for the post wecannotwincozwecannotstop,
I have recently had my first councelling session and also have been through a series of large losses prior to deciding I needed help.
I am focussed on one day at a time at the moment, I though aware that I have lost a lot of money and I need to work out a way of getting this back. Borrowed money under false reasons off friends and also from family.
It is not my highest priority at the moment, staying gamble free is, but I know I will need to pay this back at some point,
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