I am a 22 year old female, gambling has become a massive problem to me, the minute my monthly wages goes into my account i am thinking, what i can bet on, weather it be football, horses or online casino, I was a young teenager when i first discovred gambling, I used to go down the local amusements, and spend my pocket money on the 5p slots etc.. then i turned 18 and found out what the bookmakers were, I used too go in there and play on the roulette machines, then i discorved online betting, I now play the online casino games more than anything else, I Bet on horses and football but ot half as much as what I am spending on casino, mainly roulette, I have taken advice and blocked online sites and i have requested a cash card from my bank account so i cant make online transactions, but now I am going to be tempted too go into the bookmakers and play, I can get a self exlcusion but I know the staff at the bookmakers would let me back in straight away if requested, 100%! anyone have any advice they can give me, I've had enough and today is the first day im ready too make a change in my life. thank you all
Your story sounds exactly the same as mine and I'm a 42 year old male. I contacted Gamcare on Monday as I totally want to stop but have found myself gambling on Tuesday and even this morning as its all I've thought about. I was even getting palpitations at the thought of gambling/not gambling this morning and found myself driving to the bookmakers in what can only be classed as an autopilot mode. I've now taken a day off my work to lie in bed and sleep the problem away. I've read a lot of the posts on here and everybody's story seems remarkably similar. I just wish I could start the ball rolling by not gambling for a whole day. It's hard though. I hope things start to work out for you 🙂
we're all in a simular boat, i am lucky enough i am only 22 years old and want too stop now, I hope you can over come the problem as much as me, its really not nice, i dread waking up and struggle to go too sleep at night, wake up in the middle of the night, instantly think about betting, we've taken a good step by signing up too gam care i guess and together with one another help we will do it, Good luck to you
I attended GA about 15 years ago and, although I didn't stop gambling totally, it was limited to a manageable amount. I, like many before, thought I could go from being a compulsive gambler to a social gambler. I know now that it really can't be done. I've signed up for free, local one to one counselling organised through Gam-care (although I've not attended yet). Maybe that's an option for you?
yeah we all think exactly same, oh it'll be easy if i just bet couple of quid here and there on football accumalators, doesnt work tht way unfortunatley, they did recommend counselling but im going too see how i go in the next few weeks, if i dont change that'll be my next step
Honestly Jodie1401 use as many options as you can to try and stop. I'm hoping to swap my gambling addiction for a s ex addiction 😉 Far less expensive and more fun 😉 I wish I could fill the hole that not gambling would leave in my life with something that can give me the same rush. A guy that I chat to on here tried gaming years ago and it worked for him. Maybe worth a go?
Hi Jodie
I am a recovering CG
Have you got somebody who would be willing to take control of your finances for a period of time, probably 12 months to 2 years? Limit your access to cash so that when the urge hits you, you don't have the money to gamble.
Both GA and counselling would be good options for you. I will say that it will be very hard for you to stop gambling without some assistance. It is freely available so why not use it?
I can vaguely remember when I was your age. You have your life ahead of you. Nip this problem in the bud now before it becomes all consuming. It will destroy your future unless you take the necessary steps to address the problem now.
Take care
yeah, I bought a surfboard and a go pro camera and a sup board last month too try and get myself a good hobbie, i go as oftern as i can in the evenings after work but when im at home bored doing nothing thats all i tend too do it turn my phone on and log into my account! im hopeing blocking the sites will be enough and getting a cash card instead of a debit card does the job but if not will 100% take the next steps
Hi wal1957 sorry only now noticed your comment, I do have someone who can control my finances yes, I have thought about that previously but never bit to bullet and done it, I have an appointment with my bank over the phone between 5-6pm this evening so i am hoping i can arrange something with then, maybe cap my spending etc, there are loads of options out there, its just willing to do it and i never knew about this website until today, some many people are going through the same thing and knowing your not alone is a great help, I'm in work at the moment and one of my colleauges said theres a horse going at 4pm called so and so..... i just looked at him looked at my phone and didnt think twice about the stories i have read on here this morning, i believe i can make the change!! Thank you
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