Does anyone else have a problem with drinking too. I feel that I'm a compulsive drinker and a compulsive gambler (and the 2 really don't mix). I can go for days, weeks without a drink, but when I start I have a problem stopping - the same with gambling.
I've been in a good place the last few weeks, and haven't been gambling, or drinking but I fear I could easily slip into a routine of the two again. It just became natural to unwind in the evening with a few beers and a poker table window open on the laptop. I'm beginning to think I have to completely stop both as I'm sure the temptation to gamble would be increased after a few drinks.
Andy
hi andy
you know it does mate , just happened to me , i mixed drinks , drugs and a heavy casino session on my laptop while my mate was blissfully unaware that i lost £700 in about 10mins , well he did as i smashed it on da floor as REALLY needed to cash out that money
your right it goes together so well , but more we drink more we dont care and its hard enough as it is
I have a combination of things, drink, anxiety, PTSD, depression, gambling addiction and several other things. All are a disaster waiting to happen.
The main issue for me is the anxiety and depression. On the base level, I gambled because of what my anxiety and depression caused (isolation, loneliness, lowness). I can't help being unwell, so its upsetting to know I'm a bright enough lad, but i'm in a position I struggle to change. Gambling has been used as a replacement for what I miss out on in life through illness. So people might get a buzz off a few drinks with mates down the pub, I don't have that option so gambling was 1 of the few things that gave me a buzz in life.
I drink alcohol and when I start, I struggle to stop because of my anxiety and depression. Alcohol reduces the anxiety and depression. Instead of being a nervous person who feels low everyday and wishses they were dead, the alcohol gives me some happiness, so when I start, I don't want to sober up to go back to the nervous, depressed person I am.
The worst is if I have had a gambling slip recently. I'm never a responsible gambler when sober. I chase any losses and more often than not will only stop when I don't have a penny left. If I have had a slip recently and get drunk, even the slight logic I have when sober vanishes. Like, I will do things such as take out payday loans, go over overdrawn (£30 charge per deposit) or even try and sell my own belongings on local sale websites that evening and request payment via PayPal so I can carry on gambling right away.
Clearly, the anxiety and depression are the triggers for my damaging behaviour, but as many others will know, the NHS is underfunded for mental health problems and often do not accurately diagnose or get things right. It's waiting list after waiting list for help, and even then, the treatments provided can be ineffective.
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