Hello, After reading many posts i have finally plucked up the courage to share my experience.
I began gambling at 18. It all started when i placed a £2 football accumaltuor. I didnt care about winning at first. I just liked the enjoyment of watching football, winning wouldve been a bonus. I only bet on football as I thought I knew alot about it. After a week or so i would start betting on indivual football matches. Normally a goal in the first half of a game. It started out as small £5 or £10 bets but soon escalated into £100 bets. I use to win alot and instead of taking the money i would put another bet on. In the end i would loose all i had and then deposit chasing the money i lost. Before i knew it i wouldve gambled all the money i had. Pay day would come and by the end of the week i would be skint waiting for payday again and ready to put a bet on. I lived this life for about 5 years. In this time i opened up to my mum and explained what was going on. After speaking to her i promised her id stop. 6 months i managed to stop for untill 1 day i felt like putting an accumaltor on. Within in a week i was back in the same postion i had been for the past 5 years. This time it felt different. I didnt care about how much i bet i did it for the buzz. That adrenaline rush you get when you win. Once i had bet all my wages i statred looking at taking out loans and payday loans just show i could get that rush and feeling of winning. Within in a year i had managed to rack up £20,000 worth of debt. I managed to hide all this from my family. I started betting large amounts of money hoping that iwould be able to win enought to pay off my debts. Some times id do that but then would think if you bet again you could pay off another debt. It became a rollercoaster and eventually i managed to confront my girlfriend and explain everything. Speaking to her was felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I eventually told my mum and dad. At first they were upset and angry, which i totally understand. I gave my mum full controll of my bank account and my debit card. I plucked up the courage to ring break even and get some councselling. Ringing break even was the best decsion i have ever made in my life. You speak to a person who understands what you are going through and how hard it is to overcome. You get 12 sessions and can literally speak about anything.
I can now say That i have managed to pay off all my debts and are 10 months bet free. There is no remedy to stop your gambling straight away. you just need to take small steps and believe in yourself. You are your own worst enemy. i really hope this helps someone tell there loved ones and get the help they need to begin there life all over again. You can beat this you just ned to have a lot of will power and support from family and friends. You dont realise this but most people would do there upmost to help. Just speak out and dont hide it.
Good luck
Ashley
Hello Ashley,
Welcome to the forum, and well done for posting your story.
You've posted this in the Recovery diaries section, so if you like, you can use this thread as an online journal to chart your progress. If you like, you could also post a hello in the 'New members introductions' section. If you'd like to get more familiar with other forum members, joining one of the 'Challenge' threads in the 'Overcoming' section can help you get into a routine of checking into the forum every week, and having a word with some fellow members.
It is great that you've found that counselling has been useful for you. Well done on opening up to your family and partner, perhaps your example will inspire other forum members to also reach out for support. Congratulations on all the work you're doing to stay gambling-free.
Take care,
Forum admin.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
