Hello folks.
I haven't visited here in quite some time, and really think I ought to have as it helps massively.
As my title states, it's been 25 years. Tens of thousands gone. And for what exactly?! Many hours and days of Stress, anger and despair; that's what. Not only for me, but for my parents, and, more recently, my better half. I lost roughly two & a half thousand yesterday. I can't bring myself to tell her...again.
I started off on 2p machines, then gradually progressing to 5/10/20p, etc. All were/are a complete waste of time and money. Then online gambling came about. Tennis, football, basketball, whatever. Not knowing who the team or person that I was gambling on from Adam. It's just horrendous. I have newly finished reading former Northern Ireland footballer, Keith Gillespie's book. He did the same: was betting on obscure basketball teams, etc. I have a real, real problem like he does. I am totally uncontrollable. I want to get a new bathroom and new door frames, etc. Yet I hardly think anything of throwing hundreds on some tennis player I have never even heard of before just 'cos his or her odds look attractive. I then sit and watch as that 6-2 first set win turns to getting overturned in the next two sets. It's a real mug's game alright, and I have been a real mug for the last 25 years. I am 35 now. Something has got to change, and I have come on here again for the help and support that I need to beat this curse.
I have had yet another day of gambling today. Terrible waste of time and money. Yesterday was worse, however. Lost money, then tried to recouperate it and failed to do so. Huge sum of money down. Went quiet and moody for hours on end. Ended up having to take sleeping tablets to try and erase the hurt temporarily.
Am off to bed now. Any support or guidence would be greatly appreciated.
Much Love.
morning, im a newbie on the road to recovery so only have limited personal experience. I am on day 5 gamble free and I have not faced any urges yet. I think this maybe down to setting short term financial goals, mine is getting out of debt, which, with 2 months hard work I will achieve. Could yours be saving for a new bathroom? I am also keeping myself busy. It doesn't have to cost much but the more time you are out doing other things the less time you are thinking about placing a bet, I have just socialised with friends more... played some tennis, walked the dog with my partner, popped to some country pubs for a change of scenery.
Another thing we are both lucky to have patient partners, I have read so many threads on here that saying people have lost there partners/marriages through gambling.. is placing a bet on 'Gary Losalot' or whatever tennis player you find appealing that day more important than your relationship?
Best of luck in kicking this into touch!
Argie
Thanks very much, Argie - I appreciate all that. I spent today trying to sort my credit card finances out as I have been gambling money on those. It's an absolute disgrace. Monday was hard to take. I lost about 2.5K that day. I have a very serious problem. I don't think I will tell my Missus this time round. Will just have to cut back on things and put a plan in place to get my finances in line by a certain date.
Tough choice whether to tell or not. Since i've been taking recovery seriously I try and use honesty as much as I can. Partly for myself but i know that if my partner ever found out i'd lied again that would cut them ten times worse than any betting ever would.
....
Thanks, Joydivider. My Better Half, I feel, knows I have been gambling again. To be honest, she knows; she can read me like a book. I very much doubt she suspects the extent of it this time round again. I lost a £1562 bet on Monday evening, alongside other smaller ones that day. Awful!!! My gambling is out of hand. We are sitting down this weekend to take account of all my finances. I am going to close my online accounts as a next step, too...
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
