Hi all, my first post on here. I’ve been a problem gambler now for several years(since I turned 18) and it has taken over my life. I am in so much debt and all I kept doing was chasing the losses, hoping for that one big hit that would solve everything. It took to my family finding out about me taking money from them and bailiffs turning up at my door in January to finally give me the kick up the backside I desperately needed. It was all going so well, I had arranged debt payment plans and the urges were almost non existent. Until last night. I was feeling lonely and depressed and suddenly the urges were there. I have blocks on my computer/phone but my brother was staying over and left his laptop unoccupied. I had just been paid at midnight and I went on a surge and blew £280 in just under an hour. I feel so disgusted with myself, it’s affecting my work as I was in such a state from crying due to a mini breakdown from losing my last bit of money I have had to be sent home. I know how much this situation has affected my family and I’m petrified of what they will say when I say I have relapsed. I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m just so disgusted with myself and I feel everyone will feel the same. It hurts that I was doing so well, then like that it can just be like I’d never tried to stop. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all, Luke
Register with Gamstop - Do nothing more until you've been accepted on it....even if you have to send documents, DO IT. Just knowing that it won't let you gamble or register on a gambling site is a real weight off, makes not gambling that bit easier.
Ask your brother to put k9 software on your laptop/PC, etc Install it but get him to be the admin so only he knows the password for it. Make sure to click the GAMBLING box so anything related to gambling is blocked.
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
Think of the £280 you spent as a wake up call fee - It's a payment you made to finally get your life in order. If you were told to pay £280 to be free, you'd have done it, so take this as the same mentallity ....a fee to wake you up, not a loss.
I can't stress how important it is to get gamstop AND the k9 software. These together will stop you gambling, the next part is to get help for your mental side. See your doctor, call the advice line shown on this page at the top ...0808 number. It's free to call and absolutely unload all your worries and concerns.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
To also help you, a tip I found helps me greatly. At the start of the day, or when any urge takes you, come on here and read any recent post in here http://www.gamcare.org.uk/forums/family-friends
It's teh family and friends board. When you read of the destructive nature of gambling, the effects it has on friends and family, it'll fortify you to not gamble. Some of those stories are difficult to read, but a necessary evil to get your head into the "Not going to gamble" zone.
Just keep coming in here each day to read these boards, make new contacts and get the support you deserve to help you stop. It's a hormone high you're after, you don't gamble for the money, you gamble for the high you get. Realise that and you'll be well on your way to stopping. It's hard, it's really hard but it's doable...don't give up on yourself ok.
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