[HP]

Hi,

I’m Harry, a 22 year old who has always been fascinated by money. I used to gamble online, mainly roulette ect. However I haven’t in around 3 years. However around a year ago I decided to start trading, biggest mistake of my life – I have lost probably around 10k. I kept telling myself it isn’t gambling however it is. I’m scared that ill never be able to kick this habit, I go for example a month without trading, then I have a sudden urge and loose massive money again. I have some savings and would be devastated if I ever lost these.

I haven’t spoken to anybody about my problem, no family members ect.

hopefully support on this forum will help me stop. forever.

all the best,

H

[monique]

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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.

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!

[monique]

I’m glad that you have found this place and have had the courage to write your first post. Do start reading the experiences of others and write more about your own, so that we all continue learning together.
You have become aware of the dangers of your gambling and have voiced your concerns here, even if you haven’t talked to anyone else. Sometimes, people with little knowledge of gambling addiction are unable to help much and may be judgemental, so it is wise and safer for you to seek help from those who understand more. No one pretends to be an expert on the specific things that you face, but here we have all seen the effects of gambling – either as people who struggle to live free of its addictive power, as family and friends of gamblers or as professionals with experience of supporting gamblers. Together, we hope to help you live free of gambling too. As you write more about yourself, we can offer more ideas and support that is relevant to you. Your story will also help and encourage others, who come here.
You are young and have become aware – now you can make the changes you truly desire. It will be hard sometimes and you will need perhaps to put barriers in place, so that money is safe and not accessible for gambling. Sometimes it is good to have another trusted person to manage your finances, at least for a while.
There may be local groups where you can find support in ‘real’ time and space (GA) and here there is a live helpline and also groups (see under Support Groups), which you can log into and share in ‘live’.
I wish you well.

Monique

[HP]

Hi Monique,

thanks for your reply. I put most of my money away into premium bonds as this isn’t easy to access. however I tend to relapse when I have a spare thousand of so in my account. Perhaps it is a good idea to allow somebody else to look after my finances. I have been reading other peoples posts on here which has helped. The one positive thing about my situation is that I do still have some savings, and don’t have children ect that rely on my income. I just don’t want to get to the stage where I do gamble away my savings. I have shut my account and plan to never deposit any money into it again.

thanks for your reply, its appreciated

[monique]

Hi – I think we were writing at the same time! Yes, you do have some positive things to hold on to – do hold on to those good aspirations. Having support is a way to make it much more likely that you can stick to what you truly want, especially when ‘urges’ come on strongly.
Maybe you can get to groups.
Monique

[p]

It’s great you have sought help now. It is possible to stop gambling. It’s easier to handle this with others, alone is a little difficult hence the reason we are here.
Can you look at gamblers anonymous? Great Support. You can ban from online sites, I’m not sure of stocks but maybe not have money accessible in online format. Groups here and one on one help too. Use all you can now while you have that desire to stop gambling. Keep posting your thoughts and feelings. If you fall, get back up, try and try, just don’t give up on giving up

P

[HP]

thanks for your replys, yes I am going to go on the online chat now and maybe look at attending a meeting. My next big challenge will come in October as I get my wages paid in quarterly chunks. I will transfer 90% of this into an account that I don’t have access to, this should prevent me from depositing again! im determined to stop.

[HP]

hi guys, quick update.

Around 2 days after my post I deposited another 500. regretted it and then closed my account and haven’t don’t any form of gambling since! I have had many urges but just keep reminding myself of how I feel each time I loose! im spending more money on myself now instead of gambling it away!

[charles]

Hi HP, well done on your gamble free time. Also well done on closing your account. Asking them to ban you would also be a good idea.

Have you manged to get any barriers in place to protect your quarterly wages when you get them?

Keep posting.

[Anonymous]

Well done HP. It’s great to read that you are taking positive action to beat this compulsion , and really great to hear you are spending your hard earned cash on you ! Well done

[HP]

thanks for your reply’s!

yes when I got my chuck of wages, I opened a isa that I cant touch and put 3k into that. I have organised my finances and am content with things at the minute! I managed to kick the roulette habit some years back and im hoping I can kick this trading one too!

feeling positive!

[HP]

Hi Everybody,

just a quick update, I have now been gamble free since around the 1st December 2016 – I have not even had any urges. I know they will come but Im certain I will beat this nasty illness!

I am always browsing through the ‘my journal’ section and this is making me even more determined.

all the best,

H x

[p]

Well done on your gamble free time that is wonderful. It is really a challenge but you are getting there, keep putting one foot in front of the other..

P

[HP]

2016 has been good!!! no trading/gambling relapses! feeling good about life and have saved a fair bit of money!

[HP]

no relapse yet, however I have had some massive urges in the last few days

[bobert 88]

Just try to remember that feeling of losing all that hard earned money draining from your account mate, I’ve only quit for a little while now and everytime I have an urge to put a bet on or walk into the bookies I say to myself “remember the last time you went in there?” They are strong emotions that so far have prevented me from giving any money to them theiving roulette machines. We can’t give up on giving up.

[HP]

hello everybody.

just an update – I still haven’t place no trades or gambled!!

feeling good about things

[charles]

Thanks for the update HP and well done on your gamble free time. How are you filling that gamble free time?

[Author]

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