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I’m 20 years old and am addicted to gambling. It started when i was 17, i started playing pokerstars, and betting casually on sports. My parents caught me doing it and i stopped for a while, but at the start of last year I got back into it. I’m unsure of how much ive lost, but its probably around the $4500 mark, and im probably being generous. I know this may not be alot to some gamblers but to a university student, its a fortune. My addiction got to a bad stage about 10 months ago when i used my parents credit cards a few times to bet. I’m still embarassed and disgusted with myself that i could do that to them but for some reason i was able to justify it with myself because ‘surely this next bet will be a winner’. When they found out about this i promised i would give it up and i did for a couple months, however the urge was still there and i ended up betting on sports again, and the first couple bets i won, so of course i was hooked again. Since then i have been betting almost everyday. After id lost almost all of my money i ended up here in august after i excluded myself from the betting site that i used. A lot of these forums made me feel like i had to stop, and i did for about two weeks. However, during that time i was working and making some money in the holidays and NFL was about to start back i up. So i told myself i would just put on one bet, and once again it had sucked me back in. About 3 weeks ago, i used my parents card on a bet and they found out, they told me i had to go get help somehow because it was going to ruin my life. They are being extremely understanding and helpful but i know they are very worried and i really don’t want it to ruin the amazing relationship i have with them. I really want to stop so i can honestly say i am not addicted and they can trust me again. However, i knew i needed help but i was desperate for money at that stage so i told myself i would keep betting the small amount i had until i was out of this hole, and it worked for a couple weeks, helping keep me afloat until today. I bet the last money i had and lost, i have not paid this weeks rent, i have organised a few casual jobs so that i can earn some money and pay my rent and anything else i need to. But i wanted to write this as a promise to myself. I know its going to be extremely hard to quit because i love sport so much, but i cant afford to keep doing this or i will lose the people closest to me and constantly be fighting for money. I know the main reason for my betting is because i dont earn money throughout the university year and think i can do this as some side money to my government allowance, so im looking into some part time jobs to help me out there. I promise myself i will not bet tomorrow. I want to say i will never bet again, but right now i can’t truthfully admit that, so i will take it one day at a time, and it starts tomorrow.
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Hi Webbe and welcome to the forum. Well done on looking for help.
If you have been reading the other stories here you already know some of the practical things you can be doing. Have you thought about installing blocking software to your computer so that you can’t gamble online?
It sounds like your parents would be delighted to help yopu with financial a*****ability. it is a big deterent to KNOW that if we gamble we WILL be found out.
One thing I don’t think you will be able to do is honestly say you are no longer addicted. There is no “cure” for addiction. What you will be able to do though is honestly say “I don’t gamble.”
It sounds like a time when words no longer *****. The actions that will help you stop gambling are the same actions that will give your parents cause to think “Hey, maybe he means it this time.”
I look forward to hearing what actions youa re taking. keep posting, you know you need help so maybe get to a Gamblers Anonymous meetign as well.
I would recommend showing this site to your parents as well. They would see that you are not alone with this problem, see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. They can also get support for themselves in the Friends and Family Forum and groups we have here.
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Hi Webbe and well done on your gamble free time. Keeping yourself busy is important, we need to fill the void left by stopping gambling.
I would recommend not doing those “virtual picks”, it is just teasing the addiction.
You say tou are a big sports fan? I used to say that as well. Though sometimes I wouldn’t want my team to score unless it was a certain player who I had bet on. Sometimes I wouldn’t want them to score any more goals or maybe I would like them to concede one because I had a correct score bet. Hey, sometimes I even wanted them to lose!! What sort of “sports fan” was I?
Now though I am a sports fan, I cheer a team on and dont care who scores, how many they score, I never want them to concede… get the picture?
What you have to find for yourself is whetehr you are a real “sports fan,” and you can enjoy watching the games without betting or virtual picks, or whether you are someone who is a sports bettor.
Those virtual picks can tease the addiction and be a major trigger if/when you have any sort of run of “luck” with your picks.
Keep posting.
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Your parents sound really understanding do you still talk to them about gambling?
Do they know about this latest escapade?
You seem bright and able to understand the pitfalls of being a CG, I would highly recommend you suggest to your folks that they look on the F+F forum and maybe get support for themselves.
Your gambling will effect more people than just you.
Its great you can come back here and post rather than go backwards with the gambling, it never ever changes for us man. Well done on posting, please tell your folks you’ve “done it again.” I’m sure they will be be proud of you for owning up to this now rather than a few weeks down the line when things could have snowballed.
Take care.
Geordie.
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You will not be back?
Well to be honest the best way to not have to come back is……. not to leave in the first place.
If we need help to stop gambling then it is also important to use support to maintain our recovery.
You stopped before you will stop now, this time though if you keep posting you will be stronger in your recovery.
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