- This topic has 14 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by .
-
Posts
-
-
Today is day 1. The day I realise, I’m a compulsive and addicted gambler. I’ve lied to myself since the age of 18, I’m 33 now. I’ve always ‘liked a bet’. Football, horses, three card poker being my top 3!
Dont get me wrong, I always prioritise my bill’s.. but my gambling is secretive, nobody knows, just me.. I have a 4 year old daughter and a fiance, they deserve better.
Things got worse for me 2 months ago. I paid £10 and joined a WhatsApp subscription group, every day ‘tips’ – horses, football and greyhounds. For 2 months I’ve followed the tips religiously, losing and staking again and again ready for the win. That’s half the problem, my first day on the group I won a few hundred, chased that every day since. The group leader would say things like ‘bad day today guys, it will improve’. I found myself using credit cards to suddenly keep up the stakes every day.
Today is day 1, I’m thousands in debt now, today I blew hundreds in one go, like it doesnt even matter. I go on holiday next week, that money would of come in handy for my family ! I’m a dickhead, I’m ashamed of myself.
I’m here, I intend to log my journey.. day 1 I’ve just paid £9.99 and installed Gamban on my phone – the only real source of my gambling.
I need to get out of this, no more gambling for me!
-
Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums
Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!
Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.
As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)
And on that note….
I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!
-
-
-
I think u did great by removing those groups from facebook and whatsapp, there is no need to keep those groups that may trigger u back. It’s also my day 2 and the weekend is not easy for me also.
-
-
Well done on making it to day 5. That’s a wonderful achievement and you should feel so proud. The first week is so tough as youre having to find ways to fill the void. Keep strong. Keep thinking of your future as a happy family. I’m trying to focus on how bad it felt to lose rather than the big wins as inevitably even the big wins ended up as a loss. I couldn’t quit while I was ahead.
-
-
-
As compulsive gamblers we are always looking for excuses and opportunities to bet. It is what we do, so there is no point in beating yourself up about it.
The important thing is that you have recognised that you have slipped and you will now put things in place to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. It is also good that you have come back – not to confess, but to let us know that you still need support.
Treat your addiction like an allergy. If you were addicted to seafood – it may not hurt much to eat one or two prawns – but if you know that you would then be tempted to eat more – which would threaten your life – then even one is not a good idea.
That’s the issue – one small occasional bet won’t harm you – but it is the further things that it could (and probably would)that will.
Tighten your resolve and ensure that you get past 6 days next time – if not 60 or 600!
-
-
Same name, same problem, but……
My vice is slots and I’m about 5 weeks into it and not one spin, not even free spins that’s been put on my account.
How I survive is because I do have a bet on the football. I allow myself that privilege every Saturday and it’s whats keeping me in check. It’s not much, just £20 a weekend but I’d rather lose £20 than hundreds and thousands which I’ve done previously.
Of course, it depends if Football betting is one of your vices.
If I was told to give everything up, I know I’d have zero chance.
Just an idea.Plaza
-
Totally get you and I wish you the very best going forward.
Even though I’ve been addicted to slot machines for over 40 years, I’ve never been a compulsive slot machine addict, so I’ve never had the unfortunate addiction like yourself. I may of lost over £200,000 in those 40 years, but never craved the need to play slots.
So apologies for suggesting what I did. -
-
Hi Dazza the multi operator self exclusion scheme is free to join, it will exclude from all bookmakers you choose in your area / and as far as possible you can think of it’s number is 0800-294-2060 . Hope this helps . 🙂
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.