Hi all,
I am a 23 year old female and Im finally ready to admit I'm addicted to gambling.
Reading the posts I havn't been gambling as long as a lot of people perhaps just over a year now. It is however taking over my life and ive had enough.
I am mainly addicted to online bingo sites it didn't start off too bad just the odd £10 here and there followed by a few wins which was enough to keep me interested. Recently though its started to spiral out of control I can deposit £30 a day which to me is a lot of money. I put a deposit limit of £30 a week on my accounts but I feel frustrated if I use it all and it doesnt last me the week and I don't get a win. About 3 weeks ago o discovered the slots and won £400 but I put it back on how sillly of me I felt sick and couldn't believe what id done. Therefore putting more money on to try get it back I didn't.
Well today ive spent £60 on two different sites and no wins its made me look at myself and realise how stupid I am being. Im in my personal overdraft luckily I havnt taken any loans out yet but I have been tempted which is why ive decided I cant do this anymore I can't put myself my partner in debt. I need to stop now before it gets out of hand.
Thanks for reading I feel better now that ive finally told someone even if its not face to face.
Hi Charee. Stop Right now ! You don't sound in too deep YET but switch off your phone, TV etc and give your self an hour to read some posts on this site. If you can just stop now, that money you have lost will be the best investment you ever made as to see the madness of where you are surly heading. Take a breath, take stock, and If you can..See you had a very lucky narrow escape from the horrors of gambling. I really wish you well and a happy life, Not Misery !
Take Care
Andy
Hi andy,
Thankyou for your reply.
I have spent a while looking through the posts on the site and its made me open my eyes to gambling addiction and just how bad it can get. Its honestly scared me but made me shut down my online accounts which I must admit I feel a bit lost already but not been able to log on means I can't gamble. I realise now that ive been quite lucky so far in not getting myself into debt but just how easily it can be done.
I also wish you a very happy life thankyou.
Hi Charee, welcome to the Forum and very well done for posting what you have here,
What you experience has nothing to do with the money; if that was the case, you would walk away; you chase the euphoria that you experience through winning money.
The problem is that feeling, that "rush", is based on a lie - that you actually can stop and walk away. You (understandably) found that a problem so you spent a great deal of money on slots instead - this is why gambling will always be a lose-lose scenario for you, and there is nothing you will ever be able to do to change that my friend.
Take some time to look at what drives you towards online Bingo - is it money? Excitement? the thrill of the chase? Boredom? What else could you be doing when you feel like this? Is there any gaps in your life?
You are not a bad person Charee, and you haven't made a mistake, you have just stumbled across something that isn't good for you. And that is fine, but it won't be if you carry on - all gambling serves to do is take your precious money, and even more precious time.
I wish you well Charee. You can either look back on this time as a sharp, painful but ultimately useful life lesson, or let it develop into something that can potentially blight your life - you seem like a good person, you don't deserve that my friend.
JamesP
Hi Charee,
I'm 23 too and the good thing we both have is time on our sides.
It's good that you aren't taking out loans and in too much debt.
Does your partner know about your gambling?
Read my post in the new members forum back from 4th November.
I'm going to be pushing myself to go to one to one and group counselling so this doesn't ruin my life as it could so easily be a lot worse.
Adam.
Hi james
thankyou for your lovely post,
For me I think it is the excitement the thrill that one day it could be me that has that big win and I'd get the big win that would cover all ive lost. Over the past 3 days ive come to realise that thats not going to happen id have to spend alot more than I'd ever win. Im so glad ive come to realise this now before its too late. On my 3rd day now, I must admit ive been very tempted but with closing down my accounts I cant do it thankfully.
I wish you all the best james.
Hi adam,
I have read you post and I'm sorry to hear about your debt problems. I hope that one day it will all be under control for you.
how are you doing with the no gambling?
No my partner does not know the extent of my problems, I dont think I could tell him. Im too ashamed to be honest.
I hope that counselling helps you and I wish you all the best.
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