Hi all,
I am 28 and have been gambling since 20. My dad is a gambling addict and unfortunately he has turned me into one, not an excuse I have just always been around him and his gambling ways, I only ever bet on football and he got me into it.
I was fine up until 25, would never lose more then £20 a week then all of a sudden I had this urge to chase and it cost me £1000 in two weeks, that has happened three times in total now.
I quit in November last year until the grand national last month. Those 5 months I was happy, no stress of gambling, not being hooked to my phone for 3/4 hours a day like I once was.
I bet £10 on the national, it was too hard to not give in as It is the one horse race I bet on every year. My bet won.
So I felt good, hadnt bet for 5 months and my first one was a nice win. Since then however the last month I have felt myself getting addicted again. I lost the £150 from the national in a few weeks and am further £200 down, lost £100 yesterday.
I feel like I am just addicted to the thrill of a gamble. I gave in as once My self exclusion was over with a couple bookies it was too easy to place a bet, I am now going to self exclude a lot longer than 6 months.
I just feel like I need to get rid of this addiction towards the thrill of a gamble.
Any advice? Thanks
Hello CM3003
Sorry you are struggling to replace the thrill of gambling. It sounds like for you having even one bet might be risky if it leads you back into more gambling. It does sound like self-excluding for longer than 6 months is a good idea - you can self-exclude for up to 6 months, from online sites and betting shops.
Yes gambling can be thrilling but you might find in time that you find a different sort of value and meaning in other activities, ones that aren't tainted by the regrets you feel and the difficulties caused when you gamble.
Hopefully other forum members can come forward with suggestions for you but in the meantime you are welcome to contact the Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or the NetLine to chat with an Adviser.
Best wishes
Deirdre
Forum Admin
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