Hello. My name is Chad. I'm 43 years old and I'm back after years away. Not from gambling mind. Ive been gambling now for 25 years my whole adult life. My mental health has always been very poor. For example I have depression, anxiety, panic attacks, O.C.D and paranoia which I take medication for. Today is day zero for me again. I have borrowed from family and friends just to get by with food and my close family are tiring of me now. Its a lot for them to put up with I understand. My vice is roulette. I have self excluded from bookmakers and arcades (except one) and also have gamstop on my phone and this week I will be attending my first in person meeting. Is anyone else in the same situation where they are rock bottom and have no money for food and bills because of gambling? Be good to talk to anyone who is in the same position or has been. Thanks for reading.
Hello Chad,
Welcome to our Forum
Well done for self-excluding from betting shops and arcades. Â Taking care of our mental and physical health can be a good foundation for recovery. It sounds like you are ready to try and make some new changes. A combination of in-person peer support and online peer support (here on the Forum, you may also wish to join in our Chatrooms) should help you to feel that you are moving in right direction and not alone in your journey.
Best Wishes,
Louise
Forum Admin
@juipeo09vq - I think most people on this site have been in your position at some point. I used to regularly not have money for food or bills. Somehow I always made it work, and that ended up with me in huge debt. When I finally came clean to my ex wife, it was a huge relief and I decided at that point to change my life. I excluded, I joined GA, I went to a doctor, I read every post on this site (it takes a while, but keeps you from thinking about actually gambling!), I joined the chatrooms. Basically I threw myself into recovery as hard as I could. Making a spreadsheet of debts was horrific!, but it had to be done. I spent the first week doing everything that was advised on here and on the calls I received. Make a plan, for you, for money, for beating this, then go for it. It can be done. The first few months you'll question why you are doing it, as you will still be skint (if you have debts), but this soon passes and you will start to enjoy paying bills knowing you wont have to worry and you will have something left over to go out with friends, something I could never do.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Stay strong 👍Â
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