Sports bettings killed me

Hello merlin I lost a fair bit in sports betting I I keep relapsing but when I do its not huge amounts thanks to the blocks I have in place. My main oneself exclusion

Hello Christer, I self-excluded and do not look or read any sports news. Out of sight out of mind strategy.

Christer1 wrote: Hello merlin I lost a fair bit in sports betting I I keep relapsing but when I do its not huge amounts thanks to the blocks I have in place. My main oneself exclusion

Hi Merlins,

The problem is your a compulsive gambler who simply cannot stop (you may go days or even weeks without betting but these are just gaps, once you go back gambline the sequence of you losing your money will inevitably continue). I too was hooked on sports betting, it got to the point that I would feel stressed out if there was a game on and I did not have a stake in it. I was a true addict and would not even admit I was a compulsive gambler until I hit rock bottom, I did not want to admit it as I knew deep down it meant I could never gamble again adn every fibre of my being resisted this.

The good news is there is a simple fix, stop gambling. Sounds simple but unfortunatly doing it alone as a CG is almost impossible, this is where support groups like GA are a massive help for so many, as it provides a platform of support for CG's. Your are no fool, you obviously work hard and were able to save 13k for starters. Get the help and support you need asap and fight the urges you will get to gamble, once your bet free your life will begin to turn around for the better it may be slow at first but if you put as much effort and time into your recovery as you have into your gambling you will change your life for the better.

Thank you, Joe. Thank you for your simple fix advice 'stop gambling.' I am going to attend a GA meeting tomorrow too for the first time. I get so tired of being a gambler and feeling on the edge all the time like life or death situation.

Hi merlin

im in the same boat mate no matter how well you think your doing something triggers it back again, it’s so hard to stay strong and not gamble at all.

ive had periods where I havnt gambled for a while and it feels so good and then when you do have a slip up it makes you feel so terrible doesn’t it.

i also get suicidal and deeply depressed and it’s hard to snap out of it, family time usually temporarily snaps me out of it.

i need to attend a ga meeting so badly but I go to go and I get such terrible anxiety over it

hope you can better your situation

all the best

Hi Merlins,

Welcome to the Forum, and well done for posting.

I am reading that you have had a relapse which has left you not in a good state. It is good that you have found this Forum as there is a lot of peer support. You may have read that others haave been able to stop, and some have come from slips, and come out stronger after learning from what may have been the trigger, and putting in the right stratergies that have helped.

You can also talk to an Advisor on here, on our Free Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or chat with an Advisor on our Netline at http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/frontline-services/netline. We can also give you free counselling to help you to look at the underlying reasons for your gambling, you can talk to our advisors about counselling when you contact us.

You mentioned that you have been feeling Depressed and Suicidal, please speak to someone at Samaritan if you feel suicidal, their phone number is Free on 116 123, or you can mention these feelings when you contact our advisors

I am reading that others have come out to share your feelings; We will encourage anyone who wants to talk to follow the advice that you have been given, and call an advisor on here or speak to Samaritans.

There is Help. We are here to support you, you do not have to be alone in this.

Regards

Forum Admin.

Hiding from sport is so hard its everywhere but it's good u can do that

merlins wrote:

Thank you, Joe. Thank you for your simple fix advice 'stop gambling.' I am going to attend a GA meeting tomorrow too for the first time. I get so tired of being a gambler and feeling on the edge all the time like life or death situation.

I know it sounds sarcastic mate but as you will see in the orignal text I also say how difficult it is to do for compulsive gamblers like ourselves, but its the truth. If we are honest with ourselves when we get the urge this will help as we convince ourselves that we will win, but its an illusion as no matter what we win it will go back into the bookies/casino as we cannot stop ourselves once we are gambling.

Good to hear your going to GA, have an open mind and dont expect some instant fix, read the litrature and listen to others at the meetings. Talking about your own issue out loud is very theraputic also. I wish you well mate.

That's very true, Joe. I have tried sportbetting stratagies that I saw online. But I always become out of control on betting at the end. The scary thing is it only takes one loss to wipe all my winnings back because of my chasing the loss behavior.