fed up at age of 20

Hi

Yes I fully understand and to put it simply your addiction is stronger than any rational thoughts of buying nice clothes, other things and enjoying human relationships.

Think about it. I like things and last year I gambled away the chance of games consoles bikes holidays and you name it. What for...the final depression of losing everything in my bank account. Its a horrible addiction

Its actually the same as a class A addict seeking their next drug fix above everything else, even their own health

Its an addiction seeking highs and it controls your mind to rationalise starting the behaviour. Only later do you come to your senses when reality hits home.

Its an addiction powerful enough to ruin you.

This is what you need to do. self exclude block everything and not be around other gamblers. You also need to help other gamblers in your family and together you will get through it. If someone can manage your money thats what needs to happen right now.

You need to stop right now or you will have no chance in life. Reach out and ring gamcare again. Tell people because there is no shame. Dont wait like I did. The cleverest thing you will ever do is seek help and self exclude with pride.

All the best

Take all the steps you can now before you end up fed up at the age of 40 and you've wasted the best years of your life.

Hey tom, your not alone in this, I'm addicted to online slots, I won 3k and lost it within 30mins, its sickening

and every time I gamble I get the same feeling after losing it all, focus on how you feel now sad shamed broke angry upset, do you always want to feel like this, I always do and its a depressing state, we are young and should be enjoying our lives not stuck at home because we are skint. The other day I got excited over being able to afford a bottle of coke! Just think without gambling what else can we afford... Holiday, clothes, luxary items.... All I can afford is a bottle of coke.

hi guys quick update...

I had one gamble on the weekend £10 on football/ concidering i was loosing 200/300 per week I feel 100 times better knowing ive still got money to last me the next week... I am doing the same thing that people who try to give up smoking and putting the money they would use in a tin (giving it to my mum) hopefully this contuines to the end of feburary and i can treat myself to stuff i couldnt usually afford. The urge is still there but with the temptation now gone from online gambling from self exclusion It taken alot of weight off my shoulders. Its only been a week and thats the longest ive been since 16 without a bet... you guys are awesome with feedback and i really appriacte ur guys time thanks alot tom95 🙂

Hi Tom95.

Good.... do I see blocks there... Good....giving money to your mum ...good...all good positive steps

But please continue to be deadly serious about it. There is no shame in sitting down with your family and saying look Ive been a compulsive gambler and think it will always lurk in me somewhere.

Im more than a bit worried that you had a little bet because thats not the test. Ive passed that test but then relapsed in a big way in an instant. Walking away after a "small" bet is not the test because it puts you in the wrong environment where things rapidly go wrong beyond your control.

At that point your mind can actually make you heavily relapse at the click of the fingers.

I will be honest in that I just get the sense that you are not ready to totally abstain from gambling but youve been honest and thats something you must talk about with everyone. I just worry for you thats all.

Some great steps though and dont rule out a bit of counselling about why youve been gambling and the damage it has done.

Best wishes

Best of luck!

Your story sticks with me because I P****d away £1200 in one session the other night! As a result of that I have concluded I have been working this january for £0. Feel like a major t**t, im 19 and after that I was more than aware that I needed to stop this and focus on the future or I will be chasing losses for ever!.

Hopefully we can both stop cold turkey and go nowhere near bookies, casinos or online sites. I have had the urge the last few days to try and win some money back but coming on here helps me not. With time I hope I can get over my losses and im sure you will too!

Hi mate,

im 22 and new here but I feel your pain. I'm 7000 in credit card debt, all due to gambling. I know you can't tell your dad, but you gotta tell someone. And find a friend you can give money to as a keep safe so it isn't at your disposal to gamble. I've started doing this recently, my sister now controls my finances and it's really helping. Hang in strong, we're young and we can make the money back in due course. We just gotta accept what's lost is lost and not give these evil companies another penny. I wish you the best of luck with your recovery. Just know there's lots of young lads in the same position

True that Lego!

I nearly failed today at the site of a casino when I was in Leeds earlier on a job. I had spare time and a few hundred ££ but drove away before I could be stupid! They really are evil the way the places and sites seem to tempt you in!

Lets focus on making money seen as were both young like you say and not P**s it away!

Best of luck mate!

Iv blown ВЈ590 since yesterday £490 was today. It is getting ridiculous and everytime its always the same thought why did i spend money doing that when i could of spent it on my children. I have been averaging spendimg 7-800 a week plus any winnings :/ i wish you luck in overcoming this horrid addiction x