Hello,
Hope you’re all well. Firstly it brings some reassurance to see people being so supportive of one another and that we’re all in this together and not alone.
I’m Chris, I’m 24 years old and have recently started to gamble which has gotten very out of hand. I have a good income and livelihood so it’s hard to understand why I would do this or what I’m looking for. I’ve lost around 15 grand which I’m just embarrassed and ashamed of and can’t even begin to explain how it makes me feel as I’m sure many of you have been there to.
It’s not something I can talk about openly with people around me, friends or family as I feel such embarrassment. I’m finding the loss so hard to accept but I know I can’t go back on these websites and risk losing more money.
If any of you would like to chat to someone possibly in the same situation I’d love to get to know some people here.
Chris x
It can be Chris.
frightening thing is how bad this addiction can get. i hope you never find that out. you tried ringing Gamcare or Netline?
Thank you, yes I have. It’s very hard at this amount. Thanks for the message x
Hello Chris,
Well done for joining the forum.
For live chat, check this page for the GamCare chatrooms: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/chatroom
Sharing peer support on the forum can help members to cultivate more self-compassion and transform their toxic shame into a more useful constructive remorse that helps to guide their conscience rather than to punish themselves. If you join one of the 'Challenge' threads in the 'Overcoming' section, or start a diary thread in the 'Recovery diaries' section, it may help you to get into a routine of regularly using the forum, so that you can develop more familiarity with other forum members who will follow your progress and share mutual support with you.
Take care,
Forum admin.
Hi Chris,
I would really recommend registering with gamstop. They can block you going in the sites. It’s been a massive help for me over the past few days.
It’s brilliant that you have come on here
Good luck, keep posting
Cj x
Hi Chris, just wanted to reach out and say hi. Don't know if you've put stops in place yet, or if you need debt help, but there is just loads of information on here. I know how you feel, I'm in very early days of my GF journey, but I get son anxious when I think about money lost and have completely screwed up this month.
A recovery diary on the forum here is also a good idea, and if you want some inspiration reading them can be both sobering and motivating.
Hello Chris.
It may seem odd me saying this but you've had a very lucky escape and are extremely fortunate. I say this because you mention you are young and are a newcomer to this situation. In time, what's happened to you will be well into your rear view mirror of life, a dim and distant memory. I can understand you feeling bad regarding the monetary loss but honestly there are worse things to feel bad about so try not to be so hard on yourself - it's undeserved. Look at is a "blip" and look forward to seeing what the future has in store. Good luck.
Well done Chris it is the best decision you will ever made! If you stop! I wish I could have done / thought about it instead of the “big I know better”. It won’t be easy and day after day things get better and solutions appear from the mist! Barriers will be needed when you’re powerful mind says gambling wasn’t all bad - this time you will win!! Take everyone’s advice and block everything, hand money over if possible- these safety nets will make it easier and will prevent slips! Keep posting / chat rooms etc. The 2019 challenge is a good thing for a longer term goal, I had weekly goals and treats to have short goals that felt like achieving something. Keep posting
I can only echo everyone's thoughts here.
One thing I will say is once I plucked up the courage to tell my family, life got better. Not immediately, but I think that carrying the baggage around is mentally exhausting.
Also, in terms of trying to figure out why you are doing it, please give counselling a try.
The counsellor won't tell you why, but through the process of talking things through, you will realise why you've ended up here. I did in my case anyway.
Good luck with it, and I wish you all the best
Matt
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