I am now 23 and have been gambling since I was 18, I used to be oblivious to the fact I had a problem but used to just carry on gambling without even thinking about it. I had big losses and also big wins, it didn't really bother me and I just went on and on.. It was only last year when I wanted to do things that I couldn't because of my financial situation due to gambling, I decided to stop and save money which was brilliant until I relapsed and started gambling again earlier this year..
My biggest mistake before was that I didn't confide in anyone and never had it in my head to stop altogether, I thought to myself 'what if I can just limit my gambling?'.. Of course we all know that even a £10 bet can turn very dangerous for a gambler and this time I'm determined to do things completely differently and stop altogether. I have aspirations that I want to meet in the next 6 months or so, my debts aren't huge at the moment so I'm lucky in a way if I can just kick this awful habit.
Life is to precious to spend gambling away our hard earned money and even waste thoughts on this addiction, I would love to know where I would be if I hadn't started gambling back when I was 18 but I still have my life ahead of me so here is hoping to a future for myself which does not involve gambling!!
Yes indeed you still have your life ahead of you. My gambling hadn't really got going when i was 23, but when it did it was catastrophic. Am now 43 and digging myself out of yet another gambling shaped hole. You don't want to follow in my footsteps.
In my opinion, once the line has been crossed into irresponsible gambling there is no crossing back. No gambling means no gambling my friend. Put a few barriers in place for when the urge next strikes, which its sure to do at some point.
All the best in your journey... S.A
Thanks S.A!
I work night shifts which probably hasn't helped over the years but I'm sure I would of found a way whatever shift I was working.. For this reason I can't really go to Gamblers Anonymous, especially at the moment but I have put in for counselling though Gamcare.
I am so determined to stop and feel that telling my parents would make a huge difference to everything but I am struggling to do just that! It would lift a massive weight off my shoulders but it is such a daunting thing to do!
Another day gone without gambling and it has been the hardest so far..
Horse Racing was my main addiction and I used to have certain races I bet on and quite a few of them would of been last night, I was looking through the cards at work and I was just so tempted. I need to get out of the habit at looking at the cards though as the temptation is just too strong, with Royal Ascot around the corner too..
I got through it though, that is the main thing!! 🙂
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