Hey everyone , I’ve been gambling for two years with little breaks here and there and spent thousands. I finally decided to call gamcare last year and had a counsellor call me weekly , it didn’t help much but was worth a try , she advised me to download the software from gamstop which I did after a month or two And it stopped me gambling completely minus scratch cards and bingo but I was happy with that .. then I discovered B*****d and l*******s slot machines 🙁 What a nightmare , I spend hours in there daily along with attending my local bingo 5 nights a week and have been doing this for quite a while now . The thing is I have bipolar disorder and take medication daily for this , one of the side affects from the medication can be excessively gambling and I wonder if this really is what’s caused It as I never gambled before I started this medication two years ago . I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to this with medication ? As I feel so alone with my situation. Gambling puts a strain on my relationship with my partner and leaves me feeling empty and disappointed everyday . My physciatrist says it’s mania but I go through the same feeling everyday as at nighttime I just feel Guilt and the feeling gets worse the more I spend. I’m worried soon I will get loans out and be in debt as I have currently borrowed quite a lot of money from family and friends. any help will be amazing with this Thankyou Simone
Hi Simone,
Welcome to the Forum, I'm really pleased you did call us last year, but I'm sorry to learn that you've still been struggling with gambling,
I'd like you to know there is a lot of other support available and it is possible to exclude from your local bingo hall as well as exclude from Adult arcade centres too.
It has been reported that some medications can have an impact on a persons urges to gamble, but as we are not medically trained we wouldn't know whether the medication you take does have this side effect. I'd recommend having a word with your GP or Psychiatrist as they may be able to provide an alternative if necessary.
I would recommend you talk to one of Advisers too on either 0808 8020 133 or via our NetLine so we could go through all the support that is available to you, help you with the self exclusion and if you deem it beneficial refer you for some added support. I understand you had a weekly call from a Counsellor previously and that you didn't find this helped, but there are other options for support that may suit you better.
Kind regards
ChrisK
Forum Admin
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yes its firmly linked to depression but it takes over and becomes an addiction and another mental illness in its own right.
Then the two work together in a vicious circle confusing your mind further as one plays off the other.
You know there is no shame in admitting bipolar disorder or reaching out for help with the gambling addiction.
Many of us have depressive tendencies and living in todays society I dont think its that surprising.
Gambling is often a symptom of that but its a very dangerous thing to do as you have seen.
Gambling is a highly addictive drug addiction. Its not really about the money...the hit comes from that flutter lift of "will it be me" with each press of the button...only in time the drug wears thinner like any drug addition and we do sillier things to get the same hit...eventually you just end up hooked but numb pushing a button...not really feeling much and needing high and low extremes...all or nothing behaviour creeps in and we cant stop anyway while doing it
The gambling must stop now though because it was never the answer to what you are really seeking.
When the gambling stops you can look at the rest of your life properly with a healthier mind
It takes cold turkey and help from family and friends to monitor you. You need help and you should tell people close to you all about it.
I dont believe its the medication. I have my own view on medication but we wont go there
You have been looking for things you like doing to lift your mood or spirits...to escape...to give you a hit or a high. Unfortunately gambling is a very dangerous thing as we dont realise how powerfully it hooks us until its often too late.
You see its a strong primordial drug. its a similar chemicalhit to will he/she love me will he/she fancy me......we feel naughty we feel alive and we feel the world is going to be kind to us because we deserve it...feeling lucky and special is actually a drug in the bloodstream...how exciting its going to be me getting free easy cash today!
Only it isnt!! Gambling is set up to take your money not the other way round. Its a cynical tax on the hopeful, hopeless and the poor in the main.
Youve been ignoring the real odds. The slots move fast you so think they are active and the prize is always on its way. They are the crystal meth of gambling and the gambling dens love them
Please get help to abstain and do the full recovery.
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Hello Simone,
Well done coming online and facing your problems head on. You have come to the right place for help and advice.
I wish you well in your journey.
Regard,
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