Hello,
I want to share my story with Gambling in hopes that it can help others and others can give me some useful tips.
I've been gambling since I was 18 I'm now in my 30s and when I started back at 18 there were signs early on that I had issues with control over my gambling however I've just brushed that off over the years and carried on which has obviously not worked out well.
Over the last 12 months especially the last 6 my gambling has just got worse and worse multiple months of gambling most of wages away not paying bills on time taking out payday loans the list goes on and on, and it's just a repeating cycle of harm to myself.
I've had another session earlier tonight even after putting blocks in place to prevent my gambling like GamStop and blocks on my bank but still found a way to gamble online.
I've now contacted two of the banks I have accounts with to close my accounts and I will just keep my primary bank open where bills and wages are paid from. I have also contacted them about my addiction and asked if there is more they can do to block payments to anything gambling related online and they are now looking into this for me to offer more support.
I've also been suggested to use GamBan does it work?
My main addiction has always been online gambling, I have the odd days out at the races or dogs with friends and family but never been out of control with this always took what I'm happy to lose and never felt guilty it's the online gambling I need to stop and doing all I can to stop but at the same time don't know if I should stop all gambling.
I just hope I can stick to it and take back control of my finances in 2024, I'm not in huge amount of debt and the damage I've done financial can be fixed in a few months.
I've not opened up to anyone close to me about this and this is probably the first time I've said publicly this much about my addiction, I'm scared to tell anyone I know in fear they will judge me and not understand.
Well that's where I'm at currently hope I can get back some control and just trying to remove as much access to gambling as possible now.
Hi Mike
I'm glad to read that you have put Gamstop in place as this definitely is an initial barrier to stop alot of websites from being accessed. Where you mention that you found ways around it, that's exactly what I have done many times.
As you have mentioned and realises yourself, your gambling clearly has been getting worse to the point you have taken out loans and not paid your bills, it seem gambling has got control over you like it did to me. I ended up building so much debt, like you, from 18 - 32 years of age spending thousands and thousands. The first step is realising this and reaching out, like you have done.
The Gamban app is incredible - it will stop you accessing any gambling websites. I highly recommend you setting this up on your electronic devices. It takes all options away from you and can help you get past your urges.
If you need more help, reach out to Gamcare via phone or live chat. They have really helped me in the past. I recently relapsed but been back in touch and more determined then ever to get my life back.
Take up some new hobbies, find distractions, download the Gamban app, focus on things you enjoy... you will get there. I wish you the best of luck with becoming gamble free.
Steve
@d381jr6l7t Thank you for taking the time to comment it's good to know people have worked through this and get to the other side and gives me hope I can too.
Had a wobble today visited the local bookies and lost £20 but stopped myself and walked straight out.
I've put GamBan on my phone and it's a godsend can't even access the websites and 3 days online gamble free now and the urge to look for gambling is less as I know it won't work anyway.
I've also contacted some of the companies I have debt with to explain my situation and also going to reach out to a debt charity for help.
Just trying to take each day as it comes now, got a long February ahead with low money but looking forward to a payday end of February where I don't lose over 50% of my wages in one night of gambling.
I'll keep posting regularly to track progress as it will be good for me to look back on.
Thanks
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.
