Hi All,
Its my first post on here but feel like it needs to be done.
I started gambling at age 18 (Now 25) but it was never a problem until i finished university and started earning a decent wage. Blackjack has always been my choice of game wether it be online, FOBT or Casino, i started with £50 deposits which gradually became out of control eventually depositing 75% of my monthly paycheck every month on payday.
My partner became aware around 1.5years ago of my gambling and with her support (and gamcare counselling) i managed to get myself out of debt, gamble free and in a really good place in my life where things were really on the up, however as im sure has been the case for many people on here i relapsed and started to gamble again a couple of months ago which she is unaware of.
I have now managed to get myself 7.5k in debt and i am completely consumed with guilt and feel at a complete loss. I came clean to my parents and they have been very understanding and supportive but they are not aware of just how much in debt i am in, i really feel like i need to tell my partner however i know it will break her heart and possibly mean the end of things for us!
Its not the debts that keep me up at night but the guilt of lying to a partner who i love to pieces and envisage spending the rest of my life with, i have now put myself on the 5year Gamstop and self excluded from all local bookies, 5 days since payday and have not yet gambled a penny... lets hope i can stop for good this time!
Hi blackjackproblems
I like yourself have just posted on here for the first time.
I would suggest reading the reply to my initial post by money don.
It certainly ticks all those boxes!!
Good luck
I have been reading through all the past posts, very helpful and re-assuring to know your not the only one!
Hi blackjackproblem,
Thanks for sharing your story with us, and well done for owning up to your relapse, and also wanting to do what it takes to overcome your gambling problem.
Much as no one wishes you relapse, it’s also not unusual that it happens to most gamblers. It is what you do after a relapse that matters – like being able to go back and pick up the pieces for instance.
It seems like you’re very determined to get it right this time, and not just for your sake but also for the sake of your partner who has been rather supportive in helping you turn your life around in the past.
You have tasted the gamble free life, and it seems like that is where you prefer to stay, and enjoy the piece of mind that comes with it.
Have you thought about counselling to help you with your recovery process?
Gamcare can refer you for counselling to help you in overcoming your problematic gambling.
Maybe you’d like to get in touch with us and arrange for a counselling referral. All our services are free and confidential.
You can also contact us via our free phone Helpline and speak to one of our adviser for further help and support.
Our lines are open from 8.00am to midnight.
Keep going, stay strong, and keep posting!
Kind regards,
Beatrice
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.
