Hi,
I'm Joe, just joined this forum and wish I had done before.
Been gambling on off for the past couple of years - in part due to the stresses of a busy working life, challenging home situation also where gambling makes me feel like escaping from traumatic and stressful situations. My home life is complicated as we look after our autistic son who is prone to extremely violent meltdowns. I sought escape with online gambling as I would have to sit outside his room for 4 hours each night as he can't sleep unless there is someone in close proximity.
I don't gamble during working hours - just evenings and weekends. I lost £400 just last night and was in general gambling around £100 a week - with some wins and was managing this until the latest big blow. The biggest win I ever had was £1800 from a 90p slot and I've had a few other big wins such as £900 and £600 but always end up spending it all again.
Slots are my curse - I went through a patch with horses and accumulators (with £300 to 400 riding on each meeting - and usually just breaking even as I went through spread betting and long odd accumulator each way bets) but slots have gotten the better of me.
I feel sick and full of guilt but just don't know how to stop!
So here I am! - starting the slow road to recovery!!
Hello Joe
Welcome to the forum.
Self-exclusion, blocking software or handing over finances are all good barriers to put in place. This will allow you time to take stock of your situation without causing anymore financial hardship.
From here different things work for different people.
If you want to learn more about addiction and feel that you need help in understanding why you gamble then you could try GamCare counselling, religion, GA, self-help books or CBT.
Keeping busy is crucial. In your situation spending time on the forum would be a productive way to use your time in the hours that you're prone to gamble.
There's a huge amount of information, knowledge, support and experience here.
Well done for acknowledging that gambling has become a problem after only a couple of years.
This is a highly progressive and destructive addiction that can create a multitude of other problems in your life.
You're on the right road.
Best wishes
Glint
Hello joejoe2000,
Well done for joining the forum, and for beginning to share your story here in New Members section. If you like, you can also start an online diary in the Recovery Diaries section; many of our members find that helps them to maintain regular use of the forum. We also have live chatrooms 8pm to 9pm if you'd like a group chat with about a dozen people.
Glint has already shared some useful information about self-exclusion and blocking filters. You can read more about those here: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/self-exclusion#.VrtMKPmLS5t and here: http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/blocking-software#.VrtMUPmLS5s
You link your gambling with your stressful experiences as a carer for your autistic son. Perhaps you're already be using Carers UK and the National Autistic Society for support? Here are their numbers in case you want to talk with them too:
Carers UK 0808 808 7777 http://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/talk-to-us
National Autistic Society 0808 800 4104 http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/contact-us.aspx
You're welcome to talk with a GamCare adviser on our freephone 0808 8020 133 or on our Netline. GamCare offers free counselling appointments in most parts of Britain, if you'd like a weekly therapy session to support your recovery from your gambling problem. You can call us for more details about services near you.
I hope you enjoy sharing peer support on the forum and that it becomes a useful resource for you.
Take care,
Adam.
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.
