Good afternoon all,
I'm a new poster to Gamcare & I'm seeking for advice/help on what my next steps are. I am a problem gambler. I really don't want to be, I enjoy betteing, but I am and i need to sort it out.
Here's my background:
I started gambling at the age of 16 - I remember my first ever loss, in the FOBT, £20 and I was absolutley gutted.I still get that same feeling of pure despair now but the figures are in the 100's/1000's a time. I am now 25 and I have been able to 'stop' for lenghty periods of time but then always seem to start again. The longest I've been without betting is 12-18 months, with not even an urge to gamble. I think this is my biggest problem because then I begin to think I'm cured and I can control my habits - It'll start off again with a £5/£10 Football Accumulator which soon esclates into the FOBT and hundres/thousands on one off bets.
I really don't know what my next steps are - I've lost a lot of money today so I know, becuase of that, I can quit for a few months, but then what??? I'll get 3/6/12 months down the line and start the whole process all over again thinking i'm cured & I can bet small amounts again - it's draining!
I really am unsure where to go or what to do - I'd love to be able to bet £10 a week on a football accumulator but i know i can't because it'll develop into something worse. I'm just in a bizarre place at the moment and and i can't see a solution.
Another issue i have this time is I have gone into debt - chasing losses - does anyone else get that feeling of 'One more bet and i can pay off my debt and i'll never gamble again?!' - well that's where I've been at today...
Sorry to bore everyone with my story - I suppose I just needed a forum to air my stresses.
Why can't I just enjoy a bet like everyone else - why do I have to take it to the extremes everytime - why can't i control myself and accept a small loss. So many questions I ask myself after each loss. Gutted.
Hi ronnoc
you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings of this horrible addiction and please don't think you are boring anybody as everybody here are very supportive and will listen. As a CG you will find it difficult to control your betting as you will always want more, any win will never be enough and you will chase all your loses. This is how our minds work.
I have only been gf for 35 days and just taking everyday at a time. I'm sure somebody with more experience than me will be along to share their thoughts and support with you.
Good luck and stay strong.
tilly1976 wrote:
Hi ronnoc
you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings of this horrible addiction and please don't think you are boring anybody as everybody here are very supportive and will listen. As a CG you will find it difficult to control your betting as you will always want more, any win will never be enough and you will chase all your loses. This is how our minds work.
I have only been gf for 35 days and just taking everyday at a time. I'm sure somebody with more experience than me will be along to share their thoughts and support with you.
Good luck and stay strong.
Thanks for the reply, Tilly.
I agree with your comments. I know I can't bet, even as little as £1. Eventually that will turn in to something much much worse.
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