I think i have a gambling problem?!?!

Hi Gregor

Yes, you're addicted and yes, your behaviour is compulsive. Chasing losses and believing that elusive big win that will put everything right is just round the corner is classic CG thinking.

This is a progressive addiction and your losses will spiral even more uncontrollably if you don't do everything it takes to arrest it. Part of that is drawing a line under those losses. The money has gone and it isn't coming back, least of all by gambling.

There is a wealth of advice out there on ways and means to prevent your access to gambling. Start with coming clean to someone you trust and handing over your finances for them to look after. Find your nearest GA meeting and sign up for counselling. Gamcare offer a free servic and you will need to identify and address whatever it is that's driving the compulsion.

Do what it takes to beat this and you can live an entirely normal life.

All the best

Hi Gregor 10

Welcome to the forum and its the best place for you at the moment.

I think you have accepted and and I can see that you have a gambling addiction. This will also be a learning process for you as you come to terms with the deep and complex ways it works.

It affects people from all walks of life...from footballers lawyers accountants to the unemployed.. There is no shame in reaching out and admitting you have had a problem and it got to you

Its all relative and its sometimes too easy to wonder why a footballer on those earnings would do it. Its a powerful addiction that is not all about the money. Its a critical point that each person gambles an amount of money which will ruin them relative to their finances. If I had access to more I would have gambled away more. Its an addiction that throws money aside but it leaves our cupboards bare and has new lows in store like bankruptcy and homelessness.

I know the feelings common to all and we know the misery it causes.

We generally recommend that you do tell someone close in preparation for the blocks and monitoring you will need. Secrets are no good for you in stopping and there is ultimately no shame in seeking help

Please ring gamcare as many times as you like. You will get some great advice on this forum so use it well.

Being gamble free is a wonderful feeling of freedom

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Hi Gregor

I can relate to your post. Like yourself, I have lost a lot of money gambling over the last 10 years or so I joined the site 12 days ago and have not gambled since. I was not convinced I was a compulsive gambler, but the time and money spent gambling increased significantly over the past few months and it really frustrated me after saying to myself that's enough, no more and then doing the same thing the following day made me realise it was getting, had got, out of control. I used to hate receiving my bank statements and seeing pages of gambling related entries and am focusing on my next statement, which I will receive in three weeks time, having no debits to gambling sites.

I have found that posting on the forum is really helpful and you will receive good advice and encouragement. There are many on here who have much more experience than I on what you should do to assist in quitting for good, but I have to say, I feel in a better place, but not complacent already.

Best wishes

The best advice I can give you is to start a recovery diary or at least start reading as many as you can. You will hopefully take some strength from seeing the number of people in similar situations. You will also find support as well as encouragement that you can successfully abstain. When I first checked in here I couldn't foresee how that could be achieved.....but it can.

Thanks for the advice guys, its reassuring to hear there are plenty other cases like mines. I have made the first steps to see someone about this and informed people close to me. Thanks again.