Hi everyone, my name's Elliot. I'm 23 and a compulsive gambler and have been since I was able to put on a bet.
I would only do the odd bet on football at first when I was of age, but it slowly took over my life, and I was spending all my spare money on different bets, not just football. I'd go to the dog racing on a Saturday night, then the casino, then I'd go home and play roulette online at daft o'clock in the morning.
I started lending money to feed my addiction once my wages were gone for the month. This involved a huge overdraft, a bank loan, a credit card, and countless payday loans. I'm now paying those back through a debt management plan.
I have tried over and over again to stop, with my parents bailing me out each time I've hit rock bottom and spent money I needed for bills (car, insurance, loan)
Today it happened again and I blew every last bit of money I had on horse racing, and I am almost at rock bottom. I have come clean to my parents once more (I still live with them by the way) and they have been supportive and have given me money for my bills, but this time they have taken control of my wages, and I will have to now ask them for any money I need out of my spare money from my wages.
I am determined this time that today's bets were the last.
Also I must say thank-you to everyone posting on this forum, I've only just found it today, but I'm sure we will drive each other on in our recoveries.
Tomorrow (10/06/2015) is day 1.
Elliot.
It's great to see that you have accepted the problem and are willing to change, tbh I'm in the same boat I'm 23 and living with my parents they also have taken over my finances and are going to pay my bills and give me money for nessecitys, I know we both can overcome this like so many on this site
Sleepless nights
You can do it firstly if u do any online gambling use blockers that u can't uninstall like bet filter it really helps but be sure we all have blips I am back here after 9 months gamble free and then had a major relapse at the weekend but came here again right away when realisation set in, be strong and never complacent like I was and begin again, you have supportive parents and that's great , take care
You can do it firstly if u do any online gambling use blockers that u can't uninstall like bet filter it really helps but be sure we all have blips I am back here after 9 months gamble free and then had a major relapse at the weekend but came here again right away when realisation set in, be strong and never complacent like I was and begin again, you have supportive parents and that's great , take care
Day one over with. It was tough.
I'm a baker and work early hours so usually when I finish at 12-2pm I'd end up going straight to a betting shop or casino without thinking of the consequences. It turned into a routine I couldn't snap out of. But not today, I just focused on getting straight home and having a power nap.
Woke up feeling refreshed and no urges to bet. Made a nice dinner and enjoyed the evening watching television with the family.
Hopefully every other day can go as smoothly as this one has.
Elliot.
The feeling is great when you know you've been able to abstain with all those temptations, glad to hear you had your first day gamble free, here's to many more
sleepless nights
Congratulations on getting through Day One yesterday. Good to hear too that you have a DMP in place to work through the debt you've created. Without that in place it can be all too easy to be tempted to "win it all back" (ha, ha) because of all the grief you'll get from those companies (especially payday loan ones) chasing you. Sounds like you're gambling was predominantly, if not totally offline? If so, if you can take someone with you, I'd urge you to consider getting yourself excluded from all those places you used to frequent. Easy is not in the job description of a recovering compuslive gambler, but with support, whether that's from this site, GA, your parents, friends or all of the above, this can be arrested.
Thank-you whatami,
It was a bit of both really,online and offline gambling. I was taking any opportunity I could find to throw my money at any bet I thought could win. I was living in hope that they'd win, not expectation. One thing I've learnt is there is never ever a sure bet.
Day 2 over with, and I've pretty much had the same type of day today. Chilled and keeping my mind occupied enough to not think about gambling. My nephew has been in hospital with breathing difficulties so I went to see him earlier, that took my mind away from any urges.
It's the weekend I worry about. Saturday and Sunday have always been my heaviest days, but I'm still determined to beat this part of me, and put it back in the hole it came from.
Onwards and upwards,
Elliot.
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