Hi everyone, my name is Dean, I started gambling when I was 18, I am now 27, over the last 9 years I have never won at the casino, I can only remember some times when I had won back the money that I had chased, only to give it all back, plus more! I have continued to gamble even though I would need to win the lottery to get back the amount of money I have lost. I know that I cannot win and that gambling will take all my money away, but I continued to do it. Today November 25, 2016 I have just came back from 12 hours of gambling and losing all my money and have told myself that I am going to quit gambling for good. I am looking forward to 2017 and hopefully by this time next year I can say I am gamble free. No more lost money!
You could be my son Dean. He too started at 18 and is also 27. I word of advice... this feeling you have right now will wear off quicker than you think. I am sure this isn't the first time you have said you are done with gambling? This addiction doesn't go away with strong willpower and positive thinking. It takes a concerted effort to change... from the inside out.
Reach out... try GA, therapy, ACT, Smart Recovery or chances are you will be here a year from now not gamble free:(
As forum member Cardhue said on another post... Give this addiction the respect it deserves.
Cathyx
Hello Deanip
Welcome to the forum, and well done for making the decision to change your life by quitting gambling.
You mentioned that over a nine year period you have never really won, and that you would like 2017 to be better. Try to hold on to that experience to help reinforce the fact that you have not benefited from all your gambling.
To help you focus on what you would like to achieve in 2017 you could try setting some goals with deadlines. Take a look at the diary section of the forum and see if it helps you in anyway. www.gamcare.org.uk/forums/recovery-diaries
You could also try using the chatrooms for live chat with other forum users for encouragement or call and speak to one of our advisers free on 0808 8020 133
In addition if you would prefer to speak confidentially with someone over a period of weeks, you could use our free one to one counselling service www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/free-counselling
Hope this helps
Cade
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