Hi I’m Tom and I’m a problem gambler
My addiction occurred to gambling around about 9 months ago now. Since then I’ve gone from £6,000 savings, to £10,000 in debt, and this is where my long hard journey begins and I’m determined to fight it. I’m 27 years old from the north east, and working full time. Which goes in my favour and I also still live with my mam and step dad who charge a generous rent rate. So I’m not going to worry about my financial issue atm because it won’t be a problem as long as I’m still in work. It’s my issue to why I gamble. Boredom, Stress and the buzz.
Winning money from gambling for me is even worse than losing, as it gives you the denial feeling that you cannot lose. But in my case you certainly can. I went from £5 accumulators to £10, £50 then £100. I was being extremely greedy and when it backfired on me that was when I started to chase my loses. Then I felt like I ruined my life, as I always struggled with self confidence anyway, always having it in my head that I’m a failure with a dead end job and no decent qualifications under my name. Now with the situation I’m in now it feels like the final nail in my coffin.
But here I am, willing to fight this. I’ve already joined GamBan which has already suspended my online betting accounts for 5 years and looking up GA groups in my area. Can someone actually tell me what the group session is like? What people talk about and how it helps them? As much as I would love to tell a family member or friend the situation I’m in atm I don’t think I can, and at the same time I don’t think anyone needs to know because I believe I can do this alone (And a little help from you guys).
3 days gamble free and already feel a little better for it. Next I’m aiming for 30 days then it’ll be 300 days. I feel reassured that people are also sharing there stories so I don’t feel so alone. I hope I can help you guys, just like you can help me. Any advice would be great, sending positive vibes guys.
Tom
Hi Tom
Welcome to the group and well done for banning yourself from the dreaded sites
I registered with gamstop which has done me a huge favour as I simply can't gamble anymore
I've been GF for about 2 weeks and although the urges are still there they are less frequent already
It will take years to clear my debt but while I cant gamble my debt is decreasing not increasing albeit slowly
I can now sleep and my anxiety has dropped to a minimum
I have payment plans in place so no dreaded phone calls or letters now
Well done for acknowledging your problem now as most of us are in our 50's and spent thousands and thousands
The support here is amazing
Good luck Tom, take each day as it comes
X
Hi Tom and welcome to the forum .
You've put a lot of things in place so far to keep yourself safe , so well done on that and also for acknowledging the fact you have a gambling problem .
It's obviously your choice at the end of the day but the point you raised of " I don't think anyone need's to know " is a trick one in most Compulsive gamblers books ? ......... Like most of us who have started here , our gambling mind's will tell us that " It's ok to keep our dirty little secret to ourselves " and I fully get that but while you may be able to do this with willpower and the support of this wonderful place ( which I did by the way ) It is so important for your recovery from addiction that someone that you trust and confide in is also aware of your struggle .
Gambling loves and thrives on secrecy and all the time your the only one who knows , will allow addiction to creep back in anytime it want's to , if your accountable to someone other than yourself then that becomes all the more difficult to do ? .
As I said ultimately it's your call but I'm just telling you how thing's usually work .
I can't really comment on the way GA works as I've never attended but I know for many here it has been a life changer , If you attend meetings and much like here they'll be no judgement for sure and you'll also be among'st like minded people :)) .
I'm sure future posts from others more qualified than I will elaborate further but for now just take thing's one day at a time my friend .
Alan
This is hard to beat but with time it gets easier.stay strong
Hi Tom,
Well done for realising you are a compulsive gambler, if you stop now Tom you’ll have a great life fella.
Have you looked at local GA meetings in your area? I strongly suggest going to one if are deciding to do this on your own. It can be very hard to beat this illness with out support from family and friends. Having 100% transparency and being open about gambling is important in recovery. It stops the lies, the deceit.
Have a real good think about approaching either a family member or friend and discuss how you are feeling and what your going to do about it.
Remember you you will never be judged at GA meetings and everything is confidential.
All the best mate
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