Same every year. I start betting small and go on a winning streak and then end up with a massive loss. This happens every 4 to 6 months. My problem is I hate to lose. Even £5, I see it as a game and not for fun or as gambling. I'll lose thousands trying to chase my money back. I know I shouldn't gamble and learn to take a loss but I can't. I know it's all psychological but only way is to stop gambling. Lost £1,500 last night and I'm fed up of it all time. I'll not gamble for a couple month and be tight with my money to get some it back that I lost and then start playing slots or roulette on small stakes until I end up in same cycle
I assume it’s obvious from your post but what advice would you give yourself?
Chris.
The addicted part of you ie the part of you that likes a gamble won't like what I'm going to say.
The door was wide open to gamble and it was easy or super casual for you to go in.
A gambling addict or a gambler with serious problems needs to be blocked an you need to know now that means a lifetimeÂ
You know it's a complex illness and I know what went through your head and you didn't mean to get carried away.
Problem is you are like me and every other gambling addict....you have no control even though you talk about a gap.....I've had gaps throughout my gambling life but it never meant I was in control ....the next binge was coming any time out of the blue until I finally realised I needed SERIOUS help.
You can not dabble with this and I know part of you will think I'm OTT........it's an ALL IN recovery for you and you can't play at it...truth is you've been playing at it.....get miffed at me because I speak the truth you need to hear
Ring your dad or other non gambler and start reaching out for help or there will be a next time and you will chuck even more money away......I've given the dens the price of a nice house.....imagine all the nice things I could have bought ..hi fi etc.
I was very ill and I am a compulsive gambler in full abstention recovery.
Best wishes for a gamble free life
Thanks for your reply. I don't have an addiction or in denial about having an addiction. I do admit though that I have a problem when I do gamble 100%. I can go months to a year without gambling at all and it doesn't bother me. The big losses I've had is from money I've actually won. I know when to stop and make sure I don't spend what I don't have when this happens. It still hurts and I'm mad at myself and feel stupid for letting it happen but that's how anyone would feel I guess. I'll think about the loss afterwards for a few week, feel down and fantasise about winning it all back but the thing is I won't actually gamble again and instead I go really tight with my money and save it all back up. Then I end up forgetting about that loss and play low stakes and end up on a winning streak. Build it up again and end up losing. That's the cycle I'm on about. This time I've joined gamban and excluded myself from the bookies to stop me starting again. I've had enough of it now. Been happening for years.Â
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.
