Young gambler .. 2 weeks..

Hi Tb1010

You should be so proud of yourself for opening up to your loved ones. It proves that you recognise your problem and want to get your life back. As the wife (23 years together) of an addict I can tell you truthfully that it isn't the money so much as the lies and deceit that hurt most.

You are now on the road to recovery. There are lots of good people on here who are helping each other and I'm sure one of them will be along to write to you soon with great advice.

I wish you lots of luck....stick with it!!!

Hi goodbye, thanks for commenting I really appreciate it. I think seeing how much it disappointed my loved ones has helped too.

I managed to get through today, Saturday, which is normally the toughest day for me but I know how easy it is to slip back into it and the urges haven't gone just yet..

T

Hi Tb 1010

Welcome to the forum and first of all congratulations on posting on here and more importantly opening up to your parents and girlfriend about your gambling problem. I always found it very hard to open up to anyone about my gambling issues as I thought I would be seen as a failure, but like you have said they are very supportive and understanding and it feels like a massive weight off your shoulders. There is a lot of hard work ahead for yourself to stay GF but believe me life does become so much better and you will feel a lot better within yourself in time, one of the hardest thing you will have to do is try and fill the time you spent gambling with other things. I found these forums very good in helping me in my recovery along with going to GA meetings near by, I don't know if you already attend one or have thought about it but they are also very helpful meetings. I have just passed 250 Days GF and it feels like only yesterday that I was still gambling, but I only take each day as it comes and try not to gamble. All the Best on your recovery and I will look out for any updates.

"It's good to talk and take it one day at a time"

Darren

Hi all,

Thanks for your words Darren - I take inspiration from people like you who have managed to kick this awful habit (or atleast learned how to manage it!)

3 days since my last post and still not gambled. The urges are less and ive cut off all access to my money - it's not a nice thing to do and it does make me feel like a naughty schoolkid - but it's the only way that will make me stop. I've also used the K9 software which I highly recommend.

TB1010 - debt camel - sounds like you might have a case for gaining some refunds?? if you do make sure those loved ones are fully aware of what you are trying to do, IF you did manage to get any money back then it might be too much of a temptation

worth checking out if you haven't already though

don't do it if you are still tempted to gamble though, it will just end up with the bookmakers and you will be more desperate to gamble increasing the risks of obtaining money elsehwere

Hi, can you explain more about debt camel?

google it - its a CAB inspired website - very useful

Admin - hope this is ok as it isn't a business website but very useful!

Just had a look - very interesting - ive sent a few emails off to the relevant loan companies. Have you used this yourself CG?

Hello Tb1010

Welcome to the forum it sounds like your decision to be honest with your family was key in getting the support you needed to start addressing you gambling problem. I can see from your posts that you are now looking at trying to sort out the debt situation you have. Please see information link below for some information you may find helpful regarding finances and debt management.

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/finance-and-debt-management#.VBwEDvldXww

Gamcare also have a helpline if you want to talk with an adviser at any point the lines are open 8am-midnight on 0808 8020 133 advisers can also be contacted through netline http://www.gamcare.org.uk/support-and-counselling/frontline-services/netline

There are also live chat rooms if you would like to join for peer support http://www.gamcare.org.uk/chatroom

Keep posting we are here to support you.

Forum admin

Hi TB

I m the parent of a gambler like you and I can tell you that you have made a really intelligent and sensible decision to tell all about your problem. The trouble with gambling is the secrecy and that makes it so easy to do - but when that secret is out and people are now looking out for you it will be easier for you to try and stop. 4 years is a long time to have had this burden on your young shoulders and it will only get heavier as times goes on unless you stick to your plans for recovery. Your parents will be relieved that you have now opened up to them and you can all get together and start the road to recovery. We were devestated and emotions were high when it all came out so I hope you appreciate the support they are giving you. When you gamble you are gambling with your life and your future and as a parent there is nothing more heartbreaking than watching that happen to your child. There are proper ways of getting help with your debts and either Gamcare will put you on the right track or Citizens advice. Maybe ask the parents to moniter your finances for a while, that is a good deterrent and it definitely worked for us. If you turn this into a project to stop the gambling and get your life back on track you will actually find that you will be so busy researching and planning that there will be little time to think about gambling. I am glad you came on here and you should be proud of facing up to things and very proud of telling your family. If they want to know more about the problem Gamcare will always talk to families and partners as well. I wish you lots of luck for the future. Count today as Day 1 or being gfree and keep counting. Woodley's 250days gfree sounds good doesn't it? Good luck.

TB1010

sadly most of my payday loans were over 6 years ago so I'm having to play a long game - that said any refund I was given within the last six years would of been a waste as it would of gone straight to a bookies, now at least I'm strong enough for now that I will use anything to reduce some debt

some big refunds being issued though

Im coming up to the month mark being gamble free - started to wince every time a bookie advert comes on TV! (Which is far too often as most sports fans will know). They've started to send me free bets to entice me back in but luckily ive been strong. I'm trying to sort my debts out and I'd be lying if I said I hadnt thought about gambling to try and win some money back to pay off my current debt... but winning was never enough and I know id get greedy and end up losing it all putting myself in an even worse situation. Is anyone on here around the month GF mark? If so how are you getting on - any tips welcome.

T

I've managed to get a loan to sort some of my debts out. The pressure is less on the finances side of things yet I'm STILL drawn to gambling every hour of every day. Why can't I stop? This addiction is starting to scare me - before I could see a purpose to it - I was gambling to win money to clear my debt. Now I dont have to worry about that but yet I'm still gambling with no purpose.

I could really do with some support and advice now if anyone is out there. I did a month free and I've gone back to gambling undoing all the hard work from that month