I've been gambling since I was 16, on fruit machines. Started playing FOBT's in bookies about 7 years ago and things have just gone completely downhill. I'm now 35 so have been on this path for a long time.
I'm really at my wits end now. I've talked to my parents about it, I've been to 1-to-1 counselling, I've attend some GA meetings and I've excluded myself from bookies, yet I always manage to find a way to gamble. I just can't stop and I really don't know what to do now.
I'm so depressed about it all. My friends are all getting on with their lives...houses, cars, girlfriends, and I have non of that. Live from month to month, juggling payday loans and debts....I've just really had enough and don't know what else to do.
I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle. Gambling has taken away my confidence...because of that I've not had a girlfriend in about 7yrs...because of that I feel alone and bored...because of that I have too much time on my hands...because of that I gamble and because of that I'm in debt...which takes me back to my first point.
Hi Burn
Wow, this could have been myself writing this thread. Even down to being the same age as you.
I sense from you're words that you put all these blocks in place yet deep deep down you dont want gambling completely out of your life. Im kinda the same.
Im a compulsive gambler when it comes to FOTB's so earlier this year I decided enough was enough, banned myself from my local bookies and haven't looked back.
Admittingly ive still had small football bets through my phone but thats not been a problem. I like gambling, I just dont like feeling out of control chasing lost money on the stupid roulette machines that I cant walk away from once i've started.
Honestly, if you're truly committed to wanting to stop there is a way outta the mess you're in... it just takes time mate.
I wish you all the best, I truly do.
Mark
I'm pretty much in a similar situation, lately. I've been thinking why stick around? Why not just go away, anywhere. It's not running away. Go somewhere gambling isn't allowed so easily or live on a Island.
Isn't anything better than this existence?
You have to want to give up completely to be able to do it successfully. At the end of the day you are drawn back to gambling because you miss it.
My advice is to make a list of all the reasons to give up gambling.
Top of the list is family and friends.
Then I would put down all the things you wont to achieve in your life; Happiness, house, car, financial freedom, relationships, kids etc. None of which you can do with gambling.
Get as many people involved as you can to help. Spend more time around friends and family to stop you from being alone.
One piece of advice I always give is forget the past. Don't keep focusing on it as it wont help. Use it as a reminder why you want to give up but don't dwell on it and don't beat yourself up about it. Focus on the future because in the future you haven't gambled!
Good luck
Craig
Craig that is a great line and one I haven't heard before 'Focus on the future, because in the future you haven't gambled'
We need to learn to leave gambling behind, it has crippled our lives so far so even though some of us may enjoy it, there is no place for it in our future. Writing down or thinking about all the negative feelings gambling brings will make us look at it like a disease and almost as impactfull on our health as 40 cigs a day.
Hi Burn
I have been their i am 51 and gambling since the age of 7 ! penny arcades and cards to win money at age of 12 with the help of my grandparents then bookies at 16 and then casino s and then online done it all ***** , scratch cards , bingo ! roulette machines in bookies and the real thing in casinos , fruit machines , and online !
You can break the habit and get the girlfriends back and experience the good things in life i have managed to continue not gambling now in months now and have managed to go on holiday abroad twice this year already .
I have previous given up on occasions for a year and months on many occasions its different for me now
i have interest in traveling and got a little bit religious ! I treat gambling as evil so i don't do any form of i dont think about it only when i see my brother who bets on everything or mum who does scratch cards in her 70s who is paying off many debts as my brother .
On visiting my brother he was in a Trance fixed daze in his mind about his next bet or dwelling in a horrible place about his losses , i know i have been their many a time !
I am in a place were i have no worries about losing the roof over my head , and never out of cash , got a new girlfriend i dress smart , wash regally now ware smart cloths , go for meals , holidays but i rent a flat nothing to be ashamed about your friends have their own houses and nice cars you cant take them when you die or fit them in your coffin :o) .
Start today change your life imagine you can have the nice girlfriend , the nice car and cloths and it is like Heaven just believe stop today and take your mind off the evil betting no fault of your own like the devil the bookie wants to entice you and has no interest in the consequences how it affect your life and your well being GAMBLING is evil !! well its worked for me so far i seem to have the thoughts deleted ? i am so happy join me change your act you can do it , I know if i lapse my good run and change of life Will end !
I have the fear of god in me the choice is Heaven or Hell so Good luck many a person has given up just join them .
Dave
Hi Craig
Your right Gambling is the thought of winning something in the future and losing is always in the past ! .
So Win in the future and guarantee a happy life to look back on with a bet you cant lose don't "GAMBLE ".
Well said Dave. Instead of thinking of winning as increasing your money, think of it as not decreasing your money unnecessarily.
Another way I look at it is that today I have not lost time by gambling. The lost money is one thing but I can never recoup the time lost.
Today is the 20th day I have won by not gambling and today iscthe 20th day I have not lost time to gambling.
Craig
hi Craig
That s brilliant well done
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