Dear all, I'm 24 and been gambling since I was 18. It started to become a problem at uni and has since snowballed but with a year 'clean' In the middle. Since the year clean I have relapsed 3 times in the last year.
The last time I relapsed was at the beginning of the world cup(I love sport) and since then lost over 6000 and a lot more if you include winnings. This added to my already heavy debts so I am struggling at the moment. I also had a large amount of debt over 20k which my mum cleared for me(as she knows now, stupidly) prior to the year of being clean. So in my 6 years gambling I've lost a lot of money and more importantly (not trying to say the money I have lost isn't important) upset a lot of people who mean a great deal to me. My mum and girlfriend, who have both known about the gambling since the begining have both stuck by me and offered me nothing but support and although it took them time to understand that it is an illness, they do now get it and offer me nothing but support. Others have not been as supportive, probably cause they don't understand, not helped by the fact I don't let people in and explain it to them. Probably something I should do as I know it will help but I find it very hard.
I've tried counselling both paid and through gamcare but never really stuck with it but everyone is different and I do not feel that talking to someone i do not know will help me and I've tried GA which really wasn't for me. I would however consider counselling again if I could find I counseller who gets me, if that makes sense.
Anyway the last time I relapsed was pretty bad both money wise and the effect it had on myself and my mum and partner. We recently got engaged, I think she thought this was all behind me. Now the trust has gone but I do completely understand why and don't want to get annoyed at her for not trusting me. I have no right.
Sorry I've rambled on but once you get started it all come out. Anyway I really want to stop for good, I seriously mean that. I want to build a life with my fiance, I want a family etc but I can't do that whilst this illness consumes me and I really don't want to lose the people I love. Which brings me here. I have read some stuff on here but never posted, probably cause I'm not a big talker. But i just really want some advice on how to cope and how to start to beat tthis once and for all, I know it takes time but yeah any advice is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks henry
hi henry, this place is full of great advice, read a lot keep on here it helps, but to get it right - YOU HAVE TO WANT TO QUIT YOURSELF, - that is the only way forward, you can self-exclude, blockers on computers, close on-line accounts, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE WAYS AROUND ALL THIS, - I know i have relapsed so many times, but now it is different i cannot afford to gamble anymore (i don't want debt) - you say you have debt, if its gambling debt you need to sort that quickly and STOP GAMBLING - ask yourself is the buzz really worth the pain that the losses bring - this week i have re-alised it isn't - taken five years and K100 - crazy but i still believed i could win it all back - so QUIT you sound young enough, find something else in your life - sport, education, getting out in the countryside, more s*x !! Change young man change, its gone that money and is not coming back.
Can see a lot of you in me if you pardon the pun! I'm 36 so can tell you it doesn't get any better only worse! Last comment made lot sense if you live sport get addicted to that more s*x healthy eating etc
Hen,
I used to be a gambler myself. Started back in 1998 when I started working for an online casino here in Costa Rica, where I live. Then things got worse when I started combining C*****e, alcohol and gambling. I though I was invincible. You could say I lost it all. Gambling and drugs took me to live in the streets, eating from garbage, and making a fool out of myself in front of the world. I lost friends, numerous jobs, love, and of course self respect and dignity.
Well, I was fortunate enough to come across a kind holistic center in Costa Rica. It's been about a year now since I got out of jail and still live in the center, they kindly offered me to manage the kitchen which I immediately accepted. The approach to healing you from addiction here is like nothing you have ever experienced. You feel alive again, get to know Costa Rica and yourself at the same time. IN other words, you regain your personal, interior freedom.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and look forward to being of support.
Regards,
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