I've read a few posts tonight and I feel inspired by the stories of some people and also amazed at some of the amounts lost (not just money). Mixed emotions.
My problem is online and machines in the bookies;I started off small amounts and a low stake this has progressed to non stop hi - roller spins (ВЈ20/£30 for 5 spins). I'm living counting down the days to pay day. I feel so embarrassed walking into the shop,it's literally 10 paces from my house.
I lie and I hate the person I am when on a frenzy of chasing my hard earn money. I get the sickness feeling the lump in the throat and the wobbly feeling.
I'm also ashamed as I went in with my sister who also gambles,and blames me for showing her the machines.
I'm trying to help myself as well as my sister. It would destroy my family if they ever knew the extent;ands they only hear about the wins
Hello,
My gambling trajectory has been similar to yours I think.
I hope that you have found the practical advice gamcare offers and have begun the process of self excluding, limiting opportunities, etc that can be so helpful in the early stages of beating a gambling problem.
I too have found the posts here to be inspiring. Posting your own journey may also help.
Stay strong, every day you do not gamble you are winning back your beautiful life.
Thank you.
I'm really determined to conquer the bandits..I've walked past the bookies tonight and although I wanted to use the machine..I walked by!
I would really enjoy bingo with my sister or family. bandits have ruined that because I pour note after note into the machine,completely hooked on having a big win to claw some money back.. The high of wins have never once been better than the low of loosing and I think I've had to get to this point to start rebuilding what I've damaged.
Thankyou again for your support x
Thank you.
I'm really determined to conquer the bandits..I've walked past the bookies tonight and although I wanted to use the machine..I walked by!
I would really enjoy bingo with my sister or family. bandits have ruined that because I pour note after note into the machine,completely hooked on having a big win to claw some money back.. The high of wins have never once been better than the low of loosing and I think I've had to get to this point to start rebuilding what I've damaged.
Thankyou again for your support x
This is how I started...Enjoying Bingo with my family until it quickly became more about the fruit machines than the Four Square & then I stopped buying books altogether 🙁 I excluded & I played quite happily losing hundreds in the machine shops for many years before running out if shops to exclude from. I then discovered the machines in the bookies, I wouldn't go in one to bet my £1 each way on the National but the machines just sucked me in & as quick as I excluded from one, another appeared.
Now I am in recovery, I walk past all of them...Some I notice & smile a "ha, not anymore" @ them, others I no longer notice! I have vague recollections of winning Jackpots (but know invariably these were either after much more had gone in or would go straight back) but I have vivid recollections of leaving credits on the machines to race out & get more money, skulking out when money was exhausted, not having enough money to get my car out of the car park, crying & promising never again as well as many other lows! The highs aren't high enough to put myself through that anymore - I just wish I'd realised it sooner.
Nice one walking on by - Keep on walking - ODAAT
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