Hi there,
I didn't know how to approach this but I really need help. I have gambled on and off for many years, I can sometimes go months without, but that also depends and where I am in life. My family had to move home in 2017 because of my gambling debts.
In February this year, I lost my job due to not passing probation... 2 months prior I was viewed as moving up to be a team leader. Things happened and it all fell apart, pretty much destroying me I'm the process.
Since then, I have been applying like mad, but it's hard because I need flexibility because of my partner's hours.
The few stressful weeks have caused me to start gambling again and now I have no job and no money. I gambled away all the money I had left and withdrew money off credit cards.
This has come to a head today, where I am so ashamed to admit that I stole £300 from my 10 yr old son, who had worked so hard to save that money. It's disgusting, I'm the worst. Once this was gambled away, I cried like a baby, self harmed and caused my partner major distress. I knew what the outcome would be, so why did I do this. I just couldn't tell my brain to look at this obvious awful scenario.
I'm in real danger now and I'll be honest, I'm scared. I'm a weak pathetic man and I've done this to my family before.
Thank you for reading and I hope everyone is getting the help they need.
Hello B13tzy
Welcome to the Forum where you will find others sharing their experience, strength and hope.
Problem gambling is cunning, powerful and baffling and without help it is too much. Please know that you can get through this and move on with your life.
We have Advisers available 24/7 to help you through this. You can contact an Adviser by calling our Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or by using our LiveChat, WhatsApp or FaceBook options. I encourage you to contact us so we can discuss the best way forward for you.
Please don't give yourself a hard time by calling yourself 'weak and pathetic'; I am sure that you do not judge others so harshly whilst reading peoples posts, therefore, please try not to judge yourself!
You are not alone, we are all here to support you....
Best
Amanda
Hi welcome... heres some tips ive learnt thru the years on here....
Number 1:
GET BLOCKS IN PLACE
Gamstop for online
Moses for local bookies
And Sense for uk casinos
It’s essential to do them all (you may say i only ever gamble online, or i only ever gamble in bookies) but down the line when you want to scratch that gambling itch or are impulsive like myself, Online, bookies and casinos become tempting.
Number 2:
When you get paid, pay all bills then transfer rest to a loved one for safe keeping. Then it’s not in ur account waiting for the moment ur tempted by gambling its safe and sound and if you do really need it it’s there (either that or start to pay off highest interest debt each month (this will help massively),
I transfer my money to my dad and have saved a lot over the years.
I top up my sainsburys card each month when i get paid for food shopping.
Number 3:
Limit the damage you can do with one visit to town:
The number of times in the past i’ve visited a cash machine for the bookies until i can’t get any more cash out!!!! Let’s save that!!!!
U can limit cash withdrawals (just ask your bank)
You can not take your cards out (more difficult)
You can just take cash then all you can lose is that cash.
There is two step verification that your partner or parents can authorise your payments. (i’ve heard this is great)
Number 4:
With this new life away from gambling you will no doubt try to life a new healthy lifestyle (one step at a time) i found that drinking was clouding my judgement and making me gamble, smoking was inhibiting my breathing, drugs id also done in the past caused my mental well being to go down and these all led my weight, stress levels and ability to do well at work to diminish. It took a breakdown in 2018 for me to realise all these habits needed to stop so i stopped one at a time to give me a better chance, smoking 2016, drinking 2018, gambling 2019…..
MAKE 2023 UR YEAR FOR A FRESH LIFESTYLE< KEEP ME POSTED ADAM…….
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.
