Good evening everyone. I have been a problem gambler for a minimum of 7 yeara since turning 18. this dosent include my fruit machine addiction between the ages of 12-16. I am.not so sure where to start, I could tell the story of being introduced to gambling the stories of early wins but the reality is we all know the story so well.
I have been aware of being a problem gambler for the previous 5 years. My gambling began to become out of control whilst working as a Golf professional, long hours and decent pay along with fresh stimilus of sports talk everyday with punters. I found myself constant looking for a bet or a gamble on the machines. at this stage I believed I was going to strike it lucky and win big. many losses followed along with measures taken to prevent further gambling. I haven't been in control of my own bank account since 2013. more gambling followed with my move to cash rich even after GA and many weeks/months away from gambling I would relapse and blow bigger amounts than ever before. yet again I went through a very long period of not gambling after suffering a cash heavy and socially destructive amount that caused great harm within my family at the time. 12 months on I find myself after gaining trust and receiving a joint credit card gambling ВЈ500+ maxing out the card after considering a bet with a lad at work. we were talking about ВЈ5 each on a football accumulator. since then I have been non stop gambling with my family hearing of the wins and losses until this week. I haven't let anyone know of the £2000 I've lost this week. I received a large chunk of cash today. I knew in the days prior I was going to blow the lot, without taking my self seriously. My decision not to take a taxi and play golf as a small bet won't do any harm has brought me back to the suicidal condrum you face after a life changing loss. I won't talk figures as the may seem small.but in the context of my life they are life-changing. I can't break the news to my mum yet I need the help to move on and kill this addiction for good. I need time away from paying debts and being unhappy as I believe over time my dissatisfaction with my life choices will make me return to gambling and I know if I don't make this change now I won't see the results of the next relapse.
Hello ABgolf,
Welcome to Gamcare Forum, this is a positive place to get support. It sounds like you have recognised your gambling has been present in your life for sometime, and has been problematic for a while and you find triggers in your job, and some social aspects. It is positive that you are starting to reocgnise and think of triggers and situations that put you at risk of further problematic gambling.
The forum is here to provide support and advice, we are sorry to hear of your difficult feelings and having felt suicidal in the past. We would encourage you to contact our helpline or netline and speak with one of our advisors, you can call on tel: 0808 8020 133. If you also just want to talk about any uncomfortable feelings you are experiencing you can also call the Samaritans on 116 123 who are availabel 24/7.
You have taken a positive step by sharing your story here and accessing the support of others. Pleas econtinue to use the support availabel and contact us if you would like further information and support on what other support is availabel for you to access.
Take Care
Warm Regards
Forum Admin
Welcome to the diaries AB and many thanks for posting on my diary.
Your quite right in that I do need to change my way of thinking and address the areas of my life that I am dissatisfied with. There are issues from the past that I need to get my head around. I found counselling sessions very helpful but there is still a little more work needed to sort myself out.
I hope the diaries can be instrumental in helping you overcome the compulsion to gamble. People here can empathise with your struggles and they will understand the challenges you face. I feel a sense of solidarity and camaraderie with my fellow travellers and find the support and encouragement very helpful...stephen
we are all fighting against a common enemy and rather than sticking together to beat the demon we are all talking about the problem without acting on it. it's simple if the government controlled gambling as much as they do other harmful pursuits we would all be in a better situation the reality is we are worse than heroin addicts/ coke heads. we cause a lot more destruction and also fail to admit our problem. a drug addict knows they are a drug addict and is comfortable with their problem.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
