6 Months of Total hell

Hi Luke. Sorry to read your story I hope that you have read other stories on here and ultimately answered your own question. But if you are still unsure...... Yes what you describe is gambling addiction. The answer is in your 'title- 6months of total hell'  .The real damage came with The big win people who are not addicts say ' ty v much walk away do normal things like go on holiday buy a car etc etc . Compulsive addicted gamblers might start off buy somethin nice, but then the demon inside gets to work. ' come on we might win more'  from then on the destruction is bad. But you can recover from this luke stop it now while you are young and you can dig yourself  out of both the financial mess and heal your mind. You must get help to do this block your access to gambling websites, if you haven't already try to confide in family or a trusted friend. Phone the Gamcare helpline or use live chat to get professional help and advice. I get you when say you enjoy gambling is enjoyable but that's what sucks you in the chemical fix that your brain gets but ultimately it turns to fear anxiety and depression. I'm sweating just writing this as I have the fear/anxiety of the past. Small bit about me I'm 54 gambled for 20 years most part fairly controlled but about 4 years of compulsive gambling and 1-2 years of " out of control" huge loses, debt, and the shame of affecting the life of my family. I'm 34days without gambling today which is massive for me but to do that I have had to fully use all help available. Despite everything today I'm happier and more stable than I have been in years. Choice is yours Luke my advice would be get help now accept that you are an addict and move forward spend your money on something meaningful. Sorry if I sound " dramatic" but if you don't stop now your future will be bleak unhappy and plagued with mental health issues. Best wishes to you luke. Keep sharing on here people will reply and you will get valuable insight and help.

Hiya Luke 

By the sounds off it you've had a hard time for such a young age. Sorry to hear about your dad, plus gambling is like a powerful drug it sucks you in and drains you off not just your money but your mental health.  When you win so easy it makes you believe that you can win again you just got to up your stake as the win is round the corner.  Not the case as you've found out to your disadvantage. The gambling industry didn't get to where they are today by letting us win.I know your left with not much Luke but put it down to a loss my friend and get gambling stops in place or you'll lose the shirts off your back.  Your still young and if you stop gambling now you still have the opportunity to make something off your life, I was gamble free for over a year Luke and on the 24th of April I had an email from one of these big gambling company's,  I thought well  £10 won't hurt and no one will know, what did I do? Yes loose it and chase such a small amount off money instead of taking the loss, one hour later I'd lost nearly  £8000 that I  didn't even have that's because I'm an addict and can't control my gambling. I left my family with nothing having to use a church for 2 food parcels,  how embarrassing I'd never put myself in a position that I couldn't get out off some how. Well it messed my head up so much I ended up in hospital for 5days. Keep yourself away from it my friend 

Wow, this reply may be short written as I am so lost for words and can't say how much just by reading this has allowed my brain ever so little to the idea of life without gambling. Honestly, I appreciate you for sharing your story with me. I may have done something way over the top recently but I think it's for the best. I've signed up with Gamstop and had all my online accounts banned for the maximum amount of time which I believe was 5 years. I just have to now fill that big part of my life over the last 6 months with something more meaningful and can bring as much excitement to me.

As I said about the previous message I've received, I am actually so lost for words. In the past, I've always been able to get out of sticky situations regarding money even though I didn't even gamble at the time and always had that thought of I'd be alright I can get out of this but that's scary knowing if I continue with this I won't' be able to one day! I've gone and banned myself with the help of Gamstop for 5 years from all online casinos which I can hopefully fill that big black hole with something more meaningful and just as exciting gambling was.

Thank you for sharing your story, has made me see another side to this whole situation that I never thought I would see or allow myself to accept!

Hi Luke.

i would class that episode at the very least as gambling addiction. This type of addiction isn’t black and white and many people on here have had different experiences and different levels of addiction. However, for me, we have all done one thing which is the same and that is we chased losses and when you chase losses you are in a zone of addiction where nothing in the world matters other than getting the money you lost back. The real danger is that chasing losses sometimes works and that is dangerous because it gives you the impression you can always get yourself out of trouble which I guess we all know is not the case.

I am up to 26 days gambling free and still getting the odd twitch to have a bet but I now try to consider the consequences of losing much more money and how I would feel. For me, by doing this I am able to get to the end of the day without a bet and in my mind that means without giving any of my cash to a bookmaker that doesn’t even need it.