Hi, I have been addicted to online slots for about 5 years now, to varying degrees over that period of time. I am currently going through a particularly bad time and doing lots of soul searching. I would be interested to hear from women who battle with the same thing. To anyone looking in, I'm a normal married, mother of three in the second year of a degree course in Mental Health Nursing (I know, Ironic!) What is actually occurring is like something from a horror movie. I am waiting for counselling to be arranged through GamCare and cannot wait to get started. I can pinpoint low self esteem and poor coping skills as the foundation for my gambling problem and hope to work on that through counselling. It would be good to hear other women's stories. PS. I can't say I've stopped gambling just yet. I've self excluded from all the big sites, but have left one open which I have ploughed £1000 in since January. Just can't seem to take that last step.
Hi this is the first time I have been in here, admitted to my family the problem Ive got, online slots, called gamblers annoyomus today in tears, my family is going to help with K9 to stop me but what I hve put them through is hopefully the biggest reason I want to stop.
Hi Merry, All I seem to do nowadays is cry. It sounds like you have the support of your family. You just need to work on the guilt you're feeling. I know it too well and it feels like it will never go away, but I'm sure with time it will. The best of luck with stopping forever. My husband is coming home to self exclude me from the very last site I can use. It feels scary but I know it will be for the best. Time to put things right and enjoy life again.
I want to be able to stop thinking how I'm going to juggle the money. Like you I'm waiting on my frst counselling, married with 3 children. The debt I have will probably mean I loose my job as I got suspensed due to the debt but in a way it was a relief to let my family know and move forward. having to look into the K9 thing, mobile, kindle, pc, ipad. anything that will help. By the sounds of it you have the support of you husband take it with open arms money can be repaid love can't.
So sorry to hear about your job merry, My attendance at Uni/placement has suffered because I spend so many hours on the online gambling site. I have come close this week to telling them what the problem is but have decided to try and deal with it first. I've heard before that if you haven't got the money, time or tools to gamble you're halfway there, so you're doing the right thing with the K9 blocker. Hopefully if you can convince your employers that you have reflected on what's happened and taken steps to put things right they will be kind to you. Nobody understands what a powerful hold gambling addiction has on a person. The husband thing is a complex situation and he has at times been the cause of some of my worst losses, he has enabled me a lot of the time, but says he has recently realised what a huge problem it is and will do anything to get back to normal. I can't wait to be able to buy the kids nice things again and get my self esteem back to where it should be. I'm sure you're the same. I'd love to hear how you get on merry and the best of luck with your job.
Hi jomiaeli, nice to have chatted tonight. You are certainly not alone when it comes to women gambling. As I said there are many ladies in the diary section that I think you will be able to take some good advice from. You need to make sure you have self excluded from all sites and get some blocking software in place. It will take more than just blocks, it will take plenty of will power and determination. In the overcoming gamblers section there is a few threads that encourage people to post regularly to see their days clocking up. I personally found this has helped me and seen different milestones...ie 1 week, 1 month, 50 days etc. I have now been gf for 72 and feel that I am now gaining control back in my life. Counselling is a good help and some will recommend ga meetings too as there are some women only meetings I believe too.
Find something to fill the void as it is a very unsociable addiction.
the best thing you can now do is be open and honest with yourself and your loved ones. Take one day at a time. Stay strong and positive and you will get through this.
I will keep up with you in your journey so take care for now x
Hi and welcome...loads of good advice on here love...my vice was online slots as well....I'm now about 2 months gamble free...and only think about them when I come on here....it does get easier love....but like everything worth having you have to work for it...it won't all fall in place over night...it has affected to much in our lives for a quick fix....but embrace recovery and look at it as building a better life for yourself and family and the journey will soon be fun again xx
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