Hi,
I am only 20 so my 2 years of gambling addiction is relatively new to some of the people on here. I came clean about my addiction to my parents about 6 months ago when it had gotten to an incredibly low point. I remember waking up and crying every day for 3 weeks.
I had to move home from university due to financial strain and the depression, caused by gambling, causing me to fail all my exams.
However I had recently started to make a positive turn in my life, I got a part time job and have sorted a return to university in september. After 2 months gambling free, my first pay day resulted in temptation and I had lost it all within 24 hours.
Another payday last week and one little bet has again turned into losing it all.
I constantly completely convince myself I can control it and block any rational thinking, to the point where it's very scary.
I can't ever see myself without gambling being in my head every single day, and I can't imagine myself ever being able to control it. Gambling has destroyed anything positive in my life since turning 18 and I am petrified I am never going to be able to beat it. How am I ever meant to overcome it?
Thanks
Hi Matty,
Young or old, man or woman, rich or poor, 2years or 20years gambling does not discriminate, it will have anyone.
When I first started gambling I thought I was smart enough to never be allowed to be sucked in, how completely nave and ignorant I was. In just over two years I almost lost everything. Now like you and everyone on this forum it is a daily battle to not have a bet.
Do not allow this frustrating addiction to ruin your life you are young and have an opportunity to turn things around, self exclude yourself from wherever you gamble, focus on the goal of returning to university and making a good life for yourself. Find out why gambling has taken control in order for you to regain control. Right now you might feel awful and depressed imagine if you continue to gamble and in 10 years, and have even more regret and remorse it will be even harder then. However imagine 10 years in the future with all you have achieved and accomplished and having the strength to say yes I am a compulsive gambler and my last bet was June 2014! Wow how fantastic that would be. Until then take each day at a time and use the positive resources available to you; Gamcare, GA and your family. You are not alone and together this addiction can become part of your history instead of your future.
Take care,
Amanda
Hi mattyb10
Welcome to the forum and well done for posting. You will find a lot of support here and a community of people who understand your struggle with gambling please keep reading and posting on the forum.
I would encourage you to call our helpline and 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 a referral to free one to one counselling appointments if you’d like to access that service.
Best wishes
Rachel.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
