My story starts about 11 years ago when i placed my first bet. Since then i lost more than 300.000 pounds i lost my wife, friends almost anyone. I made my familly to sufer a lot. I was about to kill myself many times but i realise that is not the solution. I tryed many times to quit but it s keep comming back and back. I realize i ve got a big addiction and i want to do anything to change that, because i can t live this life like this anymore. I m 33 years old and hope is not to late to get a life. Any advise for me please? Where should i start? What should i do? Alone is almost imposible to make it. Thank u
Hello Cosmin651
Welcome to the GamCare forum. Thank you for sharing your story and asking for help. You're right, it's hard to do it alone but the good news is you don't have to. I'm sure forum members will be along to support you and share their perspectives. If you're in Great Britain you can also call our Freephone HelpLine on 0808 8020 133 and get 1:1 support from advisers.
I am sorry you've experienced suicidal feelings in the past. I hope this remains in the past, but if you ever feel despairing and that life isn't worth living know that help is out there. Our freephone helpline is open 8am til midnight every day, and the Samaritans on 116 123 are available 24 hours. If you ever do experience feelings of wanting to kill yourself, it's important to get help right away. Contact your GP, or in an emergency, 999.
If you'd like to tell us a bit more about your gambling - for example, what kind of gambling do you struggle with - I'm sure lots of forum members will be able to offer support.
Best wishes and keep posting,
Deirdre
Forum Admin
Thank u for reply. All i m gambling is sports like football, tennis, basketball,etc. No dogs , horses, slots casino. But it s still an addiction. I own about 10k to some people and this is an issue. Cand afforf to pay them back in time. But the main thing is that i stop gambling. And i m very confident i ll manage not to.
My poison was/are slots.
I am just over 100 days free at the moment. Got myself in a 100k mess. The steps I took are:
Told my husband absolutely everything, every last sordid debt.
Handed over my online finance details. He changed all passwords.
Handed over all my cards and he gave me cash when I needed.
Signed up to credit reports and gave him the account details so he can check whenever he needs to.
Signed up to GameStop and self excluded for 5yrs.
Also, before GameStop went live self excluded from every account I had. Did this in front of my husband.
Obtained telephone counselling from gamcare. For me this was the biggie as it got me to understand the reasons why I gambled then come up with strategies to cope with these issues in other ways.
Not going to lie it was bad with my husband for the first few months. I don't blame him and accepted most of it because it was true. Answered any questions he had and anytime he wanted to check my spending was also fine. That was his right because I brought the debt to his door to.
He is starting to trust me again, a bit too much for my liking. Our relationship is getting better and I am soo much happier not gambling any more.
Hope this helps you find your way.
I write a diary in the recovery section which helps me work through my thoughts and feelings.
I do regularly read the friends and family section of the forum as it keeps the devestation and ruin gambling can sause to our loved ones. I do feel bad for doing this as it feels that I am gaining my strength from the hurt others are feeling through no thought of their own.
Let us know how you are getting on
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