[Rose1234]

I am 46 years old and have been a compulsive gambler since the age of 30. It doesn’t feel real that I gamble such large amounts of money all from credit
cards that I have no way of paying back. I don’t spend much money on anything else and my gambling is slowly destroying me. I live on my own in a small
rented room and feel that I have no one to turn to. I think I need to go bankrupt but i’m so scared and if I go bankrupt I will no longer be able to do my job
as it states in the contract that I can’t become bankrupt. I often feel like killing myself, but I have tried several times before only to find myself in hospital. I
wish I could just find a job that pays well that will enable me to pay my bills and live without stress.

[Steev]

Hi Rose – good that you have posted and sorry to hear about your situation. The first thing is you need to stop gambling NOW. If you can bar yourself from gambling sites or premises. Depending on which country you are in you maybe able to stop using your credit cards for gambling purposes and in any event if you can you should cut them up so you can’t use them. Then get good impartial financial advice / debt counseling. There may well be alternatives to bankruptcy, you will only know by exploring this.

Above all,  it sounds like you are really isolated with your problem. Does anyone know? Is there anyone near to you that can listen and support you? Check if there is a GA or similar group nearby, the Samaritans may be able to help and are always there if you are feeling suicidal. Keep posting here and try to join a group or 1-2-1 session. You’ve taken a big first step by posting here. Open yourself to getting the help you need, there’s no shame in that. You are in crisis – get help. I wish you well.

[dunc]

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!

[justin9898]

Hi rose

I am sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’m glad you’ve reached out online. I feel alone in my gambling problem as well and it just feels like a cycle. Today is my day one and we’ll see how long it lasts. All this has ever done was cause pain. I wish you the best and I pray you’ll be able to stop.

[Rose1234]

Thanks for your reply Steev,

My parents and my sister are all gamblers and are spending every penny they have on roulette and slots. They know I desperately want to stop, but my parents are old and they just want to keep gambling at the casino because it is their social life. My sister had huge gambling debts but has just re-mortgaged to try and sort the problem out but is still gambling a bit. I have been to GA in the past and although I liked the people and found them supportive it didn’t stop me from gambling. I have moved to a new area now and have thought about joining GA again but I am really worried I may see someone I know and I don’t want anyone in this area to know I have a problem.

[Rose1234]

Hi Justin,

I feel very alone and helpless against this addiction. I just keep thinking if I can stop then maybe in a year things will start to get better for me. I have tried so may sales jobs to try and earn an above average wage so that I can get myself out of this situation but if I earn a bit more money I end up gambling it all away and then I get depressed and can’t sell. It seems to be a very vicious cycle.

I have gambled again today, just to try and win a small amount of money and spent around £400.00. I feel as if i’m destroying myself.

Good Luck with your recovery, I hope that you have the strength to overcome this monster.

[i-did-it]

Hi Rose,
Well done on seeking help Rosie. This is an addiction and it is really hard to stop without support. Do you gamble online or at the casino ? If it’s online can I suggest getting a gambling blocker for your phone and other internet devices. I have found this really helpful in stopping the automatic pilot gambling – you know when there is nothing between the thought and the action. If it is a casino you gamble in perhaps you could self ban.

I understand that having family who gamble makes it a lot more difficult to stop but Rose you have to believe that you deserve a good life free from all this worry.
I find it useful to keep postponing the gamble – every single evening I think will go to bingo – then I talk myself round to waiting Until the next day as the win will still be there.

Firstly Rose you have to believe that you can stop – everyone can . Read the threads on here and check out the great post gambling lives people are living .

I hope this helps and I look forward to reading more of your posts .

[投稿者]

投稿