[Sticky] Say Hello to our Online Peer Supporters!

Good afternoon Gamcare Forum. Really happy to introduce myself as one of the new Online Peer Supporters.

I have a huge amount of lived experience of gambling harm and am really looking forward to giving back some support as Gamcare was an amazing lifeline for me in times gone by! Will be back online later to give some encouragement to those that have also taken that important first step to reach out.  

Patsy  Online Peer Supporter

Hi GamCare Forum,

I would like to introduce myself as one of the new volunteer Peer Supporters and will be working within the forum, chatrooms and our new email support service.

I have my own lived experience of gambling harms, both directly and indirectly.  I gambled destructively for around 10 years of my life throughout my late teens and 20's.  This really affected my mental health and wellbeing, before seeking help and gaining recovery.

GamCare is a fantastic service with a wide range of tips, tools, resources and services to access for those affected by gambling harms.

I look forward to engaging with you all in the near future and offering the best help that I possibly can.

Be kind to yourself and always remember, no matter how bad things are or how overwhelmed you feel, please keep going because - RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE

Thanks

Cabe - Online Peer Supporter

Welcome to the forum and organisation peer support workers! It is a pleasure to have you working alongside us and bringing your valued lived experience with you to help support our beloved community. 

Wishing you all the success in your roles and time with Gamcare supporting us in the amazing work we continuously strive to deliver to those affected by gambling related harms. 

Best regards,

Shane
Forum Admin

Hello thanks for the help and for helping  us all

Hello, glad to see you and thanks for helping all of us!

Hello, im new here. Really after some help. I need to get my life pre-gambling back before i lose it. Im so close to losing everything. My gambling isnt daily its more episodes that last a few days/a week, but im in a lot of debt. Gambling is bought on by stress and my mental health, i lose, i chase my lost, get in debt, mental health suffers more its a vicious circle. This is the second time i have got myself in this situation where its effecting everything, my debt is too big to control. My partner doesnt know and clearly let me know that next time there would be no coming back. Im lost and feel out of control. I joined gamstop but managed to join non-uk sites. Initially i was betting money i have then my credit cards…

@0s4o1pz7e8 Good evening

Just seen your post on this thread.

Sorry that you are experiencing gambling harm again. I do hear from your words though that you have been at this stage before so I do feel that there is always hope therefore.

Supported my son through 9 years of gambling harm. Looking at recovery single handed without support is hard. Find a friend or relative to help if you can to support and listen

Gamcare offer 24/7 helpline to be listened to you through your journey. The community are here to help you.

Patsy

hi I'm saz and new to this forum I've had a gambling addiction for a long time and ive even stolen from family and i need help 

Posted by: @ofb741hvqs

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Good afternoon Gamcare Forum. Really happy to introduce myself as one of the new Online Peer Supporters.

I have a huge amount of lived experience of gambling harm and am really looking forward to giving back some support as Gamcare was an amazing lifeline for me in times gone by! Will be back online later to give some encouragement to those that have also taken that important first step to reach out.  

 

Patsy  Online Peer Supporter

 

Hello, I Just Came Through.

Hi all, 

new to this and hoping to turn my life round. Losing a lot of money and today i want to be the day i stop gambling. Long bumpy road ahead i know but i want to get there. My son & partner dont deserve me to be wasting huge amounts of money on gambling. 

Hi there, got a lot of reading to do through this forum, glad I found it and hopefully I can find some guidance to recognise what makes me have the urge to waste money on crypto trading.  Exhausted.

I have a son who has spent 7 years addicted to gambling, once he couldn't get loans or cards he started getting money off people for work he would do in the future or promising to get things such as football tickets for future games. Most of this money was spent on gambling to hopefully get enough to repay others. In the past we have paid most of his debts due to threats from people he owed money to, with promises to pay it back to date its about £45,000 with about £4,000 paid back.

He has moved back in with us as he has lost his girlfriend, business, car and came home with just a bag of his worldly possessions.

We have now admitted he owes nearly another £30,000 mainly to individuals, some are understandably very annoyed and sending threats. We don't have any more money to pay and i have refused to borrow any more but am worried these people will come after him as well as my wife and his son who lives with us

My son says this time it is everything and is willing to go to any help. Last week he went to gamblers annomous and is going again tonight. My wife is going as well to see if we can understand why he just carries on.

I am now getting to the stage where i dont see any end to this and something really bad is going to happen very soon, as each time is getting worse with the level of danger to everyone and I am losing my capability to help.

He is a very nice polite, helpful and loving person, but this turns him into a monster with no thought for anyone else.

Hello heneedshelp,

Thank you for sharing this on here.

I can hear how much you’ve all been through over the years and the huge emotional and financial impact this is having. It sounds incredibly distressing to see your son lose so much from his life and to feel like there’s no end to it all. From what you’ve said, your son is a lovely person and it’s very clear you and your wife want to do everything you can to support him.

The threats and feeling of impending danger you’re experiencing sound so difficult to experience. I can hear that you’re starting to feel like you don’t have anywhere else to turn and don’t feel in control of the situation any more. You could report your concerns and get some advice from the Police on 111 or if you feel under immediate threat, please phone 999. There is also some information on the Police.UK website about harassment.

You could also try contacting an independent organisation that offers debt advice such as National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Citizens Advice also have information on what to do about harassment by creditors – although it sounds like the people who your son owes money to are individuals rather than an agency.

It’s great to hear your son has started getting some help. We can also offer support for him and for you and your wife, including one to one sessions with a practitioner. You can read more about the different support options we offer here. You can also contact our Helpline on 0808 8020 133 if you wanted to chat to someone about everything – we’re open 24/7.

I imagine this feels like a very isolating experience but you’re not on your own and we would like to support you all. Hopefully you can keep using this forum as a safe space to express how you’re feeling.

Wishing you all the best,

Claire

Forum Admin