Please help

Hi MehGameOver

I feel your pain mate. I am also 21 year old problem gambler, and have been for a few years. reading this post made me realise im not the only one who has a problem. you can sometimes get like that, when you loose a ton of cash you cant afford to loose or when you lend money on the strength that youre going to hit the jackpot, i came on the forums to look at some of the chats on here for a reality check, and ive found a fair few! couldnt agree more with what Trigger posted, "You will never ever win in the long run, it's impossible because you can never win enough." we can fight this disease. just remember you arent alone!

Spend your money on girls, drink, cars, football or anything else instead. If you read the threads, most people end up in desperate situations because they've started by winning! Then they blow the lot and get into debt wanting it back so even that "big win" just ends up a nightmare. It's a no brainer really.

Hi guys,

Thank you for the support! I will be attending my first GA meeting in two weeks time close to my 2nd birthday! I have been gamble free for two days and I have worked out a plan to get my life back on track. This included me having to tell people close to me my problem. I have reported my card as lost and once the new one comes in the post it will be going straight to my brother to manage! I have not been more than a week without gambling but it's time to shape up.

How long is it before the urges start to disipate?

I want to look back on the last 2 years and just say to myself what a prat! The worst thing I know it's not just a phase. If gambling could be banned I would be the happiest man on the planet.

Wishing you all well.

Cheers,
Steve

Hi Steve, great plan...It is stuff like this that makes recovery possible! We all have different journeys so it's inpossible to say when your urges will dissipate but you haven't been gambling long in the grand scheme of things so hopefully quite soon! The great duncanmac has mentioned 21 days being an important milestone but I don't recall why! Even after then, & often it would appear months or even years into recovery, given our propensity to gamble, they are likeky to strike @ any time & often without warning it just gets easier & easier to ignore them! Gambling is banned in China, it just pushes it underground rather than eradicating it! You need to put your own bans in place that you have control over so although it is not illegal per se, there is no acceptance of it in your life!

You can do this - ODAAT

Thanks ODAAT,

Quick update for anyone who is interested.

I have now been gamble free for 6 days now and as cheesey as it sounds it is down to you guys!

I have noticed that my urge to gamble is more easy to control even after just 6 days, I'm happier and can see more clearly into the future.

I understand that this is a disease and this can end with literally a click of a button without determination.

Thanks again everyone for keeping me going it really does help to get it off my chest and to know I am not alone on this hopeful journey.

Have a lovely day!
Cheeers,

Steve

Hi Steve,

I agree. I'm on day 12 now and I can definitely see things more clearly. My urges aren't as strong.

I'm not getting cocky though. It's very much one day at a time.

It feels good to have some money in my pocket (not much) but it's better than constantly wanting to earmark funds for gambling.

Stay Strong.

Sorry I'm only on Day 11. Oops.

Hi Mr Stop.

Congratulations!
Previously when I made money plans I was thinking to myself "this is pointless as I WILL spend money on gambling" where as now I feel that I can look to the future and save and pay my debts off.

My brother had a gambling problem also and listening to him tell me in person how hard it is to recover and what he's lost in the process was a big reality check.

he has recoverd now and getting married in two months to which I am the best man. THAT is my inspiration.

Let's keep striving to be the best we can be.

Take care.

Steve

hi I am on day 6 of not gambling. I have only been gambling for 15 months and it has broken me. Last Saturday I self excluded and handed my finances to me mum. I have no access now to money or gambling. It's hard but it's the only way. I am lying in bed today as I was cleaning yesterday like a mad thing ( trying to keep busy) and I fell down the stairs. I'm not too bad but this is what this terrible disease has led to. It's hard but I'm feeling less depressed. Get support, go to GA meetings and counselling and have no access to money. You can turn it around.