Hi! 24 years old..
As someone who only ever played slots due to getting a big win when I was younger(20). My gambling has been terrible to a point where I would gamble my month pay in a few days and then just not spend anything for the rest of the month, leaving me missing out on social occasions and affecting relationships and my mood.
Earlier I went into my overdraft £700 (may not seem like much in comparison to others). When I’m supposed to be going away later in the month with my girlfriend for a week, I don’t want this to affect my relationship and knowing I will have to go further into my overdraft to do this I’ve finally decided to stop.
another example of it affecting me is I’m 24 and can’t drive, I put off taking any more lessons or booking a test because the money I spend gambling means I can’t afford to learn but I could easily learn if I didn’t gamble.
ive set up Gamban and registered for Gamstop.
I hope that I can get out of this overdraft in the next two months and start to enjoy spending on myself instead of throwing it all away, mainly chasing loses.
So day 1 with all the tools set up.
Any advice for be fantastic.
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All the best with this. Gamstop is a real game changer and has saved me from myself many times.Â
Welcome to gamcare.
Your so young, you can turn this around before serious damage is done, before you end up in massive debt. You've taken brilliant first steps..Â
Have you spoke to an advisor on here 1-2-1, if not, I recommend you do..
You can put restrictions on your bank and block gambling transactions, worth speaking to your bank about this.
All gambling does is destroy us. Turn around and run the opposite way to gambling. I've not gambled in 38 days now and the difference in my mental health and finances is amazing.
You can do this..theres chatrooms on here everyday at 1pm and 8pm if you want peer support.Â
Wish you the best of luck. Take care
Stace
9 days now!
Worked a 10 hour day of overtime to help recover from the damage and will likely work another day in two weeks to help but glad I’m actively doing things to damage control.
mood seems better as I’m not stressing about losses although I am avoiding things like meals out as I’m worried about going more into my overdraft.
You are doing the right things, so well done. But please proceed with caution. Your situation right now is very similar to lots of others. The debts aren't too bad, the situation is manageable and you want to change. But things can slip very easily. Once you've cleared your debt, sometimes you start to think that maybe things weren't too bad and maybe you'll be okay having a little flutter again. DON'T. The next mistake will be bigger and so forth.
You have a real chance to take control right now. The best advice I can give you is to be be honest. Let those closest to you know that you have a problem and that you want to stop gambling. Gambling addiction thrives in the darkness, where nobody can see whats going on. Don't let it.
If you really don't want to tell anyone, put every block in place than you can. Gamban, Gamstop, debit and credit card blocks with the bank. These prevent impulse gambling. But if you really want to gamble, you'll find a way past these. So you need to be strong too. If you have the urge to gamble, try to resist for a few hours. The impulse usually passes and you see clearly. Remind yourself of how much stress and misery it brings.
You can beat this. Good luck. And remember, there is always someone to talk to.
28 days!Â
Over 100 days gamble free and my life is much better because of it, been going out and enjoying more social events as I’m not worried about having no money due to gambling! Although my relationship has ended and that was a tough time and was hard to not indulge in gambling, the restrictions stopped me. Feeling proud!
out of my overdraft comfortably and starting to even save money now for the future!Â
175 days.
My social life is the best it’s ever been, I’m able to easily afford to go to every social event! My career is progressing even more as I’m able to put more effort into it as I’m not mentally drained from gambling!
I’ve met someone and I’m able to take her on nice dates and days out with no worry of money as I wouldn’t have been able to afford it at all 175 days ago!
£3000 saved considering I was in my overdraft months ago. I’m the happiest I’ve been in years.
Cannot stress how much giving this up has changed my life. I cannot thank everyone who has supported me enough. I wish I remembered the name of the amazing lady who I was in the live chat with when I was at my lowest.
it does get better. Let’s keep this up ??
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