Goodmorning, my name is Izzy and I am new on this forum. The reason why I signed up is because I have a gambling problem. I am really young. 19 years old to be exact. I started online gambling when I was 17 years old. I don't even know why I started. I had a great family, nice friends, fun study etc. It just happend. It was really small at that time. Starting with 10 Euro's once a week ish. Then I discovered slotmachines online. I turned 18 and my mom took me to a casino. It was amazing. I had around 10.000€ on my savings at that moment. Got it from my grandpa, to use for a house or kids when I am older. I used around 8k of this money on gambling and I feel horrible about it.. I got more and more addicted to the slotmachines. If I lost, I went in with more so I "could win it back". It was not even about winning money. It was about the great feeling I got when I was gambling. Now I am 19 (almost 20). I have a lovely boyfriend that unfortunately gambles too because of me.. Not as much tho! I recently moved to Norway and I have my own buisness here. I earn a lot of money for my age and it all goes to gambling. I feel empty. I have a great life besides the gambling but I really have the feeling I don't deserve to live. Everytime I lose another paycheck I just want to die. I need help but I don't know were to get it. I can't tell my parents because they are not with me and it is going to worry them so much. I told my boyfriend that he needs to help me stop. But he does not take it serious. I need to save money for a holiday this summer with my family and to buy a new gaming laptop, but even with those fantastic goals I manage to put all my hard worked real money on a website with fake slotmachines. I am just r******d when I think about it but I can not stop. Help.
Hello Izzy,
As you're currently living in Norway, you might be interested in the online support available on the website gamblingtherapy.org. Gambling Therapy offer various online services for problem gamblers who reside outside Britain,and their friends and families, including online groups, forums, e-mail support, and a resource database. On their database I saw about a service available in Norway:
https://www.gamblingtherapy.org/en/problem-gambling-helpine-norway
The gambling therapy website lists a helpline for people impacted by problem gambling in Norway 800 800 40:
The website mentions that the advisers on the helpline can talk with you in English if you prefer.
https://hjelpelinjen.no/treatment/
The website for the Norwegian service says "About 70 per cent of gambling addicts who receive treatment manage well afterwards. Gambling addiction is a diagnosis, which means you are entitled to treatment. If you want treatment, you must contact your doctor (GP) or the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). In order to receive treatment, you must be residing legally in Norway and be a member of the National Insurance Scheme. Most of the treatment options for gambling addicts in Norway are on an outpatient basis. They involve one to two hours of treatment a week for eight to 12 weeks. The treatment services are spread throughout the country. There is also a distance treatment option whereby all treatment takes place in your own home via the internet and telephone. For this option, a referral from your doctor is not required. If you would like more information about the online treatment option, contact the Helpline 800 800 40. Here, you will be told more about the treatment and also whether treatment options are available in your area. The person you speak to on the phone also speaks English".
It is concerning that you have posted that you sometimes have feelings that you 'Don't deserve to live', and that when you lose your money gambling you feel that you 'Want to die'. It is good that you talk with your partner, please do also talk with your doctor in Norway so you can have their support too.
Take care,
Forum admin.
Hi there, I’m 22 and this affliction has throughly messed my head up and means I work for nothing these days due to debt. Things gets clearer and brighter each day I don’t gamble though, I don’t want to take myself on a ride again. I wanna get myself somewhat financially straight before my 23rd birthday which is in May and I’m currently on the right path, join me.
It seems we both have quite desirable lives if you remove gambling from the equation, it holds us back and offers nothing but destruction.
Hey, it can be done just take all nescessary precautions and find hobby that will fill that time and “excitement”
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