Hiya guys and girls,
I am new here, this is my first post.
I am a 23 year old male and I am a compulsive gambler. I have been fighting this horrible addiction like many of you for years, but it's finally time to put an end to it. I have previously attempted to stop, and told myself I really wanted to, but deep down I wasn't passionate enough not to gamble. This time is different.
I was first introduced to gambling when I was roughly 7 (yes, seven) years old. My Dad took me up to Scotland to visit my Granddad. I remember we were sat round a dinner table in a restaurant and we were waiting for a couple of others. My granddad said to me, 'here's a pound, go and have a go on the slots'. So i ventured over to the arcade and I found a Coronation Street machine. I won 10 off my 1 and I was over the moon. This was probably, looking back, the worst possible outcome.
From that moment on all I wanted to do, all I thought about was playing machines. I grew up going to football matches with my Dad, and the most exciting part of the day was the 5 I would spend on first goal scores in the concourse before the match.
When I was 16, me and my friends would go home in our free periods from school and smash out 50 or so on online games or poker. (If you're wondering how, my friends were older, or I'd borrow my Mum's card for 10 here or there).
Basically, I knew I had a problem way before I was 18, and knew it would only get worse.
I'm now sat here, currently jobless after relocating dealing with the stress of that, sat with debts, knowing that in my lifetime I've gambled away over 75,000. Just last week I won a big bet, was over 2,000 up and lost the lot on online blackjack.
I am so determined not to gamble again. The best part about it is I genuinely know I won't, not if I vent my thoughts out on here. I don't even expect people to reply and support me, it just helps me if I get them anonymously out there. I'm sure you understand that.
I can't keep letting my family down (not that they really know), and I can't keep doing this to myself with my hard earnt wages.
This is currently Day 4 (mainly due to the fact I'm overdrawn...) but I'll see you on day 400!
WFNF x
Hello mate,
Just joined the site myself, and find it to be so supportive and informative. I am only on day two, but full of hope. You have the very best years of your life right in front of you, and when you beat this you will enjoy them to the full.
wishing you strength
mark
Hi, welcome to the forum. Your in the right place! I'm also in a similar situation to you, aswell I am 23. One day at a time we can do this! 🙂 all the best Angie x
Hi iam 28 and I understand how you feel I have gambled since I was 13 and have lost thousands of pounds, I really wish you all the best in getting through this addiction. Today I have not gambled this is my first day, I hope to make it to day 400 too.
Hi mate sorry to hear things have got this way.i am 32 with 2 young kids and a wife and have just lost 1500 from thur to sun.ill is not the word.but am back here again and this time am giving it my best shot. All the best in your recovery.day 3 for me tomorrow and I wont be having any sort of bet.
Scottyboy
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