Too many lost years

Hi Mel... welcome to the forum. I think you sum up gambling addiction just as it is. I am much the same, its just that my gamble of choice is the machines rather rather than animals running around a track. I have "mood disorder" written on my doctors notes which can mean anything really can't it. I guess it means I don't manage my emotions well and escape into gambling. The secretiveness I relate to.

All I can add to what you have said, is that in the times that I have stopped, my life has tended to get better, stability returns and I feel better about myself. When am at it am usually panicked and in a high state of stress and worry. Its no way to live.

All the best

@s-687 hi

its already comforting to share my problem with others who have been victims to this terrible way of life 

thanks

Mel

Never too late to change though Mel 

I know exactly how you feel being of a similar age and also gambling since my early teenage years, I’ve done it all Mel the borrowing the stealing and lying , all whilst gambling in secret lying and deceiving everyone the matters to you to fund this thing that controls yr life .despite patches of no gambling always went back especially when money was tight , I found I gambled more when I was depressed which just compounded the depression .

2 and half years since the last time I went back and despite still paying the debts and will be for many years to come, I do have money now for when the unexpected comes up I’m a better husband father and grandfather than I ever was when gambling . Still lots of hurt there but the longer I go the better I feel 

you can do it Mel. Never too late 

@leweyman 

thanks very much, it really does help to hear it from another sufferer.

Glad you’re in a better place, looking forward to getting there too

Mel