Hi everyone,
for the last 2 years I have been gambling heavily. It started when I turned 18 I went to my first casino where I won some money but it all went down hill from there. I kept gambling and losing but the “win” still stuck to my thick brain. Last year I lost almost 2 grand and I stopped around November. I started betting again in December where I thought my “luck” had changed. Nope down another few hundred pounds. So I made one of my New Years resolution for 2020 to cancel all gambling. 2 months I went without it and it all came crashing down. April now I am down a further 2 and half grand. All in all I have lost nearly £5k. Tonight I realised I must take this seriously. Most my wages are being thrown away and I am gambling money that isn’t even mine. I want a fresh start. I want to be happy again and not hide behind a smile. I haven’t told anyone about my addiction. I need something to make the pain easier. My only comfort is my GF and even she doesn’t know about my addiction. I need to turn this year the other way. The positive way.
Hi, I have just joined because I went through a period of none gambling then went through a stage of semi controlled gambling but now want to stop again completely and it's easier to do with support... I've found that looking at your behaviour patterns is the most important thing ... Protect yourself.... I'm seen as a nice guy, funny guy but gambling robs me of my personality and takes me out of the room ... It's not easy, it needs focus and concentration but now is the time to do it
Hi @happyagain
Thanks for sharing your story. One of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones is come out and be honest. Get yourself the help that you need. It is a strong addiction and unfortunately you can't do it on your own. Sometimes a gambler think they can because they genuinely want to quit but when the strong urges come, that's when you need the blocks to be there and the people you trust that you can speak and be open to. The GA community is a big help to my partner. Gamcare also provides counselling. Get someone you trust to monitor your finances. Register at Gamstop. Self exclude from the casino and betting shops. The lot. Most importantly (for me), tell your loved ones. To use my partner's words, it's like a huge weight was taken off his shoulder when he came clean to me after 5+ years of gambling secrecy. It's was very scary for him and only did it when he was at rock bottom but I believe it's the only way to true recovery. Secrecy feeds gambling. Be completely honest about it. Suggest website links to your girlfriend and loved ones that can educate them about this illness.
I wish you the best.
Pep
yep must of us on here have been down that road some have lost 500 some have lost 5000 some have lost 50,000
what does everyone have in common ? we are all addicted to cheap thrills and an easy ride and none of us want to face the reality of stopping
until the money runs out and we have too face reality
i would open up to the girlfreind about your problem and get some blocks in place also hand over some money to her too look after
Hello @happyagain
Welcome to the GamCare forum and thank you for telling your story here. It sounds as though you've very recently decided to take action and joining here has been one of your first steps. You've had some great suggestions from other forum users about your possible next steps. If you'd like to talk over what your next steps might be, you're very welcome to contact our HelpLine on 0808 8020 133 or by Livechat. We can refer you for free treatment, and tell you more about blocks you can put in place to make it easier to avoid gambling. We can also point you towards other organisations who can help, such as Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or http://www.gamanonscotland.org/ (Scotland).
We're also here for your partner, if she wishes to contact us, and we'd keep any contact with her separate and confidential from any contact with you. If you prefer, we can also offer couples treatment.
If you'd like to find out more about any of this just contact us, we're here 24/7.
Keep posting,
Deirdre
Forum Admin
You must tell someone or everyone, you must be truthful. If I am right and you don't do this, you will need to eventually, that's ok. You sound in shock, I remember that when I started gambling, I was shocked at it. Let's not kid ourselves everyone on here and who has a problem gambling in general loves to do it, there is no better feeling of anticipation, but ultimately the consequences are far far far worse. I hope you find strength and worj through this.
Hi - a good read is Allan Carr book “the easy way to stop gambling” I have read it quickly - it didn’t really go in but I got the idea, but didn’t really practice the points, I then really read it again slowly and with an open mind, it has given me the mental understanding of how an addiction works and allows me logically think things through (before it is illogical to want to gamble when it destroys everything).
in addition to this self exclusion and online blocks provides me with the tools for the times (bored / a few drinks) when you mind says - it’s not that bad to have a flutter.
keep posting and keep alert - your brain is powerful and if you know why it is telling you things you can react properly
matt692
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