Hi Guys, I'm new to this whole thing. I've been gambling for well over a year now. I've been seeing a counsellor for about 10 weeks to try and help me recover from this terrible addiction. Luckily I'm still young and have no commitments but I have a girlfriend (who has no idea about my addiction) and I also have not told my parents. The thought of them knowing hurts me so bad. Even though I went 7 weeks clean I relapsed again last week and even this evening have spent a stupid amount of money on online gambling sites. I just want to talk about my problem and find it so hard to stop when I start.. It's all to do with chasing my losses and trying to make up for money that isn't needed. It gives me hope to read peoples blogs who have overcome their addictions and I hope to overcome mine too.
Hi Travsean,
I'm very new here myself and people with more experience than me will be along to give you more advice soon but in the meantime... You've done the right thing by coming here it's helping me already and it's a big first step to admit your problem and reach out for help.
You are not alone, there's lots of other people suffering the same pain, people that understand you and will not judge you here people that just want to see you get better. That thought really brought me some comfort when I needed it most.
You can check my posts and diary to see what a complete fool I've been and the steps i have initially tried to put in place to help, but my downfall was very similar to yours (and I think most people's on here) -online casinos.
Like I say there will be more people around soon to explain the support on offer here but in the first instance definitely do the following: self exclude and close your online accounts, remove all casino software installed, get blocking software (gamblock or betfilter installed on your PC and K9 on your tablet or smartphone) try and remove your access to online casinos so that it's harder to make the decision to gamble when your resolve weakens. Go and do this now, I felt some relief immediately that I'd done so I knew I was taking positive action.
I've also started a recovery diary and I think that's giving me some focus too. Have a look at these and start your own to chart your recovery.
Best Regards.
FM
Thank you FM....talking to people really does help.. It feels terrible going online and spending so much money. In my mind I always think what am I doing, why can't I just stop.. I've just recently travelled around Asia aus etc and I wanna do it again and this life style I have at the moment is stopping me.
We are all in this together as you said, we are the only people that understand what eachother are going through. I really feel like after all that I have gone through I really wanna help people get over this addiction as well.
Massively appreciate your reply! Keep strong!
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