Hi,
My name is David, I will be using this thread to post my journey of getting through this ongoing gambling problem which has been happening for around nearly a year. I'll start of by giving some details about my life and what I've been through:
I am 19 years old and live in a family household of 5. I am the oldest amongst my 2 other siblings. I'm currently attending university and going into my second year which is going pretty great surprisingly but this gambling addiction has been weighing me down negatively. Past couple months I've been so depressed - losing friends, coming out of a relationship I really loved and cherished, exam season stress and many more. My gambling problem topped everything off; I've had many thoughts of committing suicide, many thoughts.. I've thought it would only be right if I am not here any more, not living as that would be the only way for the depression to stop. Gambling seriously took over my life to the point where I gambled almost every single day, whether it be £5 or £500. I've lost well over £10,000+ from savings from part time jobs I've had and just other sources of income. It has been terrible. Today, 30th of August, is the day I decided it's time for me to make a change in my life which is where I came across Gamcare. I am here to share with you my journey through getting through this addiction. I'm prepared to start a new chapter in my life and recover myself no matter how long it takes. I hope I inspire people along this journey, even though I am only 19 - I believe I too can also make a difference for someone going through the same problems. Thank you and I'll be back soon with the next steps.
David 🙂
David.
Fella welcome to the forum, a place full of like minded folk who all share the same goal, to arrest that next punt,to put an end to the self gifted misery that is the compulsion to gamble.
Understanding that you have a problem at such a tender age is a wonderful thing because you really do have your whole life ahead of you.
There is no cure, medicine or magic potion that can end the self gifted misery, but there is a gift and thats recovery.
Embrace it fella, take all the amazing help out there.
Honesty is for me one of the greatest things to possess in life, feeding gambling addiction led to my forgoing my own, recoveryhas bbrought it back with great gusto.
In my mind this addiction is progressive, those losses will do nothing but grow,for more than twenty years I know my own did.
There is a triangle
Time-money-location
Take one away at all times and the next punt becomes impossible and the rational side of your brain has time to take control.
Regards suicide
My friend it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
I have suffered from depression from a very young age, gambling was purely a form of escapism for me, the truth is those problems are never taken away through gambling, just added to.
Visit your gp,get some professional help, do not suffer in silence.
I wish you well, your thread touched a heartstring,I have three children, two are at university and I have seen first hand the pressure that they are under.
Your life will improve profoundly through embracing recovery, throw everything you have at maintaining it.
For us it turns us into the winners gambling never will
Because whilst active we all share the same mantra
I cannot win because I cannot stop.
Turn that upside down.
Welcome again I look forward to reading your progress.
Abstain and maintain
Duncs stepping forward never back.
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