Hi everyone, I am a university student with a very severe gambling issue. I try my best to stop and the cycle just repeats again and again. All my salary that I work so hard for whilst balancing university just goes into online roulette. I think my losses are 20k plus over the last few years. I can’t get over the loss and the guilt of the loss and feel depressed so I’m chasing losses again and again. I’m very worried that there no future for me. I’m a trainee doctor and the future feels bleak for me. I don’t get how I got here. My parents used to gamble but have quit but I can’t seem to.
Hello 'Totallylost',
Welcome to the forum and well done for posting here.
I'm sorry that your gambling problem is causing you so much stress and despair. Our forum members will empathise with your struggle, and perhaps their support will help you feel more hope for your prospects in recovery. As you can see, many of our forum members have experienced similar lows but have also achieved progress in their recovery.
Common relapse-prevention measures for those wanting to escape from online gambling, include registering with GamStop, asking your bank to block gambling transactions from your bank account, using blocking software https://www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/blocking-software/ and allowing a family member to hold your money, or allowing them to supervise your banking and spending.
0800 138 6518 is the freephone for GamStop, the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, they're available 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. https://www.gamstop.co.uk/contact-us
You've said that you feel depressed, you could also speak with your doctor about that. GamCare can offer you free telephone appointments if you'd like a weekly 50 minute session with a practitioner who is trained in supporting recovery from problem gambling. This can also be offered online by live videolink if you prefer. Another option could be GamCare's self-help online course GameChange: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/gamechange/
We are available 24 hours a day on the freephone 0808 8020 133, and on the netline, so call us whenever you want to chat about your gambling problem or the support that is freely available.
Take care,
Adam.
Ok, you are a trainee doctor. Then you know dopamine and how it works. If not look at some of my prior posts where I have linked a Ted talks youtube which explains it very well. Breaking the habit is about being mindful of the moment. Being on autopilot in your subconscious just means repeating what is already wired in. As Tony Robbins put it. It is about altering your current state of mind. Start with asking yourself what you want. Some people do not want to stop and they will continue. So it starts with a very conscious yes or no disregarding your wins or losses. Do you want to stop? If the answer is yes there are many tools that you can use to get better.
All the best
C
Totallylost you are very young and if you can work on controlling this now you're going to have a good life ahead of you. You're a trainee doctor so you're intelligent, rational and very capable. The key is taking steps.
I have been in your position, struggling throughout university, online a 4am knowing that was the time my pay came into my account and then blowing it all within hours. Unfortunately, I am now 32 and wasn't able to control it because I was secretive, stubborn and insisted that I was capable of looking after myself. Share your issues with your loved ones and build a support network.
I hope you're doing okay, the money is gone but you've your whole life ahead of you.
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