Hi my name is George I am only 19 and have developed this massive gambling problem. I've lost 1000s already I just want to stop now. It has always been there since I was young playing £5 jackpot fruit machines. I have gambled on roulette ever since turning 18 and played heavily sometimes 12 hours straight. It's gonna destroy me again when I was 18 I lost all my birthday money , bonds from my Nan and savings in just 2 months couldn't go on any holidays, nothing throughout the whole year I managed to get myself in 2k debt. I stopped on my 19th birthday for a about 5 months paid of everything bought myself a car and saved up some money. then just before Christmas I tried my luck when out shopping (there is a casino in the shopping center) I won £100 and in January won another £250 and as you can guess what happened after that. Back into the spiral of it all. I lost £600 of my savings in 2 days earlier this month didn't gamble for 2 weeks then when I got paid another £300 . and another £200 yesterday I only earn around £1000 a month which has to stretch for a lot. Can anyone please give me some advice.
dated 19/03/2014
Was going well until Saturday when i friend called asked if i wanted to go for some lunch. I told him i would and i will pick him up in 30 minutes. When i got him he kept asking me to drive to the casino and i was being strong thinking about my last loss saying no. Then after him going on and on about it for 15 minutes i agreed after he said he would buy me lunch and give me money for petrol. We went there and i watch him win and i just sat there watching happy for him. Then something came over me and all the sudden i had £60 in my hand changing it up in chips on the 25p table. I lost it all in the space of 15 minutes abd my brain went overdrive i couldn't believe i was actually losing again. Then my friend gave me £10 and said that's for coming so put that down and BANG !!!!! 3 times in a row my numbers came in i now had £200. My friend didn't want to leave and after waiting for him for an hour and me not gambling again. i cashed out. My friend ended up losing a stupid amount and money he was supposed to pay for his holiday with. i doubt he will want to go back anytime soon.
so since then i am currently on day 5 and no urges to gamble or win more. I will stop completely now. And plan on updating this diary every week.
Hi George,
Well done on staying gamble free!
Long may it continue, we are all in the same position and hope to fight the addiction with the support of everyone here.
There is no judgement here so when you feel you need to, post in your diary, it helps.
Laura
Well done George, on reaching your Day 5 of sanity. It looks as if you are using a local casino - would it be possible for you to self-exclude from this? Any barriers you can put in place between you and the gambling temptation will help. Also try to think of a goal you would like to reach - 'scottyboy' has started a thread where people commit to reaching Christmas without gambling and thus save a lot of money for Christmas treats.
Best wishes for your journey.
Joanna
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