Hi everyone!
As I've mentioned before on comments of other posts, I've been a compulsory gambler for the last 10 years with short breaks inbetween. I'm a 29 year old proffesional living near Glasgow, Giffnock area. In the last 3-4 years I've started fighting this cruelness disease with the help of my girlfriend which is still by my side, fortunately for me, even if I've been hurting her so many times, made her to cry, anxious, lefting us both with no money, lies, broken trust etc.
I became a member of Gamcare over a year ago but only been back on it few days ago since registering. Also, not long ago I registered myself for GamStop, self-exculding myself from any online gambling website for 5 years. As I said before I've tried everything from Gambling Anonymus meetings, Counselling, Psychologist to Videos and Books. Unfortunately, for me nothing worked for a longer time than 3-4 months. I've been fed up and decided I had enough of all this desperation and the vicious cycle of chasing back my losses by losing more.
Now, my girlfriend has total control over my finances. We live on our own and we both work full time. In more than a year I hope all my debt is cleared off and I'm gonna look back happy I made this decision of giving up gambling with the posibility of making real dreams coming true. I will turn my life around but of course I know I need to work hard for that and also I hope I will get help from people being in the same situation as me.
I have become a loner and I never enjoy anything the same as I used to, even it's playing a game, reading a book, a night out with friends, colleagues, family or a sport activity. I want back that feeling of being happy and enjoying the life through simple and small things.
I'm writing this post with the hope I will get back from people who are going through the same situation. People who are fighting and trying to get their life back. People who stoped lying to themselves and choosed to become free. I have always felt ashamed of my illness/addiction and I never could share or talk about it to anyone I know, apart from one or two members of my family who they never gamble and can never understand entirely. For this reason I do look for someone relatively closed to my area, where we can go for a coffee, a walk or a run sometimes. Someone who knows what I've been through and it's been through the same things.
Even a conversation over the phone or online would be welcome with somebody living far. I don't like any groups and wouldn't like to go to any meetings as I feel are not for me and prefer something more discreet and relaxed. If you think this is something suitable for you let me a comment and that could be a start.
Thank you and I wish you all good recovery!
Hi lostgabe,
It sounds like you have taken some steps towards the right direction. It’s great that you have someone who can support you through this challenging time. You say that you had counselling and went to meetings, read books…and this worked for a few months. Recovery is about ongoing support and not about trying something once. You need to always be proactive and stay supported.
Hopefully, you will get many responses to your post. However, you may also contact us and speak to an adviser over the phone (free number) or connect through the Netline.
Wishing all the best,
Forum Admin
Hi Gabe
sorry to hear about the struggles! I’m the same age as you and a lot of your story rings true with me too. Not sure how it works in terms of geting in touch but if you’d like someone to talk things through who’s similar age as yourself hopefully we can help each other
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