New member here so wanted to introduce myself.
I'm a bit over 40 years old woman who have been an gambling addict probably six or seven years now (gosh, didn't even realise how long I've been gambling until I wrote it down...). At first, gambling was just occasional fun but when my mother died four years ago, I started to gamble more and more and it was clearly affecting to my daily life. I was able to stop for a year or so but then started again. I have tried to control my gambling on my own for some time using GamStop etc. but haven't told my partner that I have been gambling again and loosing quite a lot of money. Actually, so much that I'm in so deep debt that I had to contact StepChange and ask help from them.
I have always though I'm a strong person and thought whatever the situation in my life is, I can handle it, but I can't handle this gambling thing anymore. This is a first time I'm admitting it and it's not easy but needs to be done. I need help.
No one knows how deep I'm in this addiction and I really don't know how to tell it to my partner. It will break his heart and I just can't do it. I know I have to tell him at some point but that point isn't today.
This is me in few sentence. I really hope I can really quit gambling at this time, it has already ruined my financial situation and I can't let it ruin my whole life.
Welcome to the Forum Realtea
I am really sorry to hear about your mother dying four years ago, gambling as an escape from grief is not something you are alone in doing, grief can be overwhelming and at times such a lonely experience. I wonder if you have ever considered grief counselling for some added support? Cruse offer a Helpline for support on 0808 808 1677 which you may find beneficial.
You have done so well in taking steps to stop, such as Gamstop and contacting StepChange for financial support. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you can’t handle gambling anymore and to reach out for support, so I wanted to congratulate on doing so. It can be especially difficult when you’ve always been such a strong person and used to fixing things for others rather than seeking support for you. But you deserve to be supported and to know that you don't have to do this all alone.
I want you to know that we are here for you and there are other tools alongside Gamstop as well as free 1 to 1 support to help you recover from this. Our advisers are here 24/7 on either out HelpLine on 0808 8020 133 or via our NetLine.
We look forward to reading more of your posts and supporting you with your recovery
Kind regards
ChrisK
Forum Admin
You've posted this on the same day I've joined , we can do this together, stay strong
Hi. I have two questions if that's okay?
Will you do anything to stop gambling? Have you truly had enough of what you experience because of gambling in your life?
Chris
Hi. I have two questions if that's okay?
Will you do anything to stop gambling? Have you truly had enough of what you experience because of gambling in your life?
Chris
These are excellent questions and being honest, not sure if I'm willing to anything to stop myself gambling but I know I don't want to gamble anymore. I'm so tired pretending everything is OK when I'm actually screaming inside it's not. Tired of being always broke and having this horrible secret with so many lies which feels like it's eating me alive. This addiction is so controlling and I can't even remember what my life was before this. Who was I before this addiction? Who am I if don't gamble anymore???
Hi,
i just joined today, and your story really describes all the feelings we’re going through, which I haven’t been able to describe myself.
A year ago I lost my partner, we broke up for several reasons I thought, but now I see clearly the main reason was my gambling. Even so, I couldn’t stop gambling, and first now I’m ready to quit and realise I have a serious problem.
Pls don’t make the same mistake. You’re strong and you can do this. Don’t lose your partner as I did.
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