Hi everyone.
Im new to this and have recently accepted I have a gambling problem
its hard talking about it as I didnt want my family to know as I was embarrassed
im 24 work full time and have 2 sons. I started gambling at the age of 17 and lost my first big amount when I was 18. Spent over £300 in the space of 10 mins on the roulette
it’s funny how I used to put on over 10 teams accas for 25p to £1 and recently put £600 on one team which lost.
I used to play £1 stakes on roulette to putting £1000 on one colour. How can it go from a small amount to a ridiculous amount so quick
Roulletes away and now I’m on black jack and I don’t want to think the amount I’ve lost it’s sickening
my problem is when I’ve wasted a chunk of money on a night out or something I try win it back I know this isn’t a way to make money but after a few big wins you think you can get it back again
i am probably the tighest person ever when it comes to money splitting everyone and always counting my coppers. And would never tap someone £20 but happily stuck £400 on a deck of cards
today I’ve had it spent my last £75 on blackjack which has made me sick to my stomach. I’ve went on GamCare or another website to try block me but it keeps coming up saying they can’t identify me
this is the first time of me opening up. My family and ex partners have had an idea of my gambling but never pressed on about it but I know talking can be a good way to help so try and give this a go
I’ve tried the live chat but can’t get anyone so feel like I should post on this
sorry for rambling on as I don’t know what to write I’m just looking for help and advice. How can I stop this for good. I need to keep my money for my family but every penny I have I waste and then regret it and when I get money again it’s all the same
thanks
Welcome to the forum Dylan1234.
First of all, very sorry you couldn't get through to an adviser on the NetLine. It can get busy. You might find it easier to contact us on the Freephone HelpLine on 0808 8020 133, because the telephone helpline allows you to queue for the next adviser.
It sounds like you have been trying to register with Gamstop (not GamCare, that's us and we provide treatment and support, not self-exclusion). Sorry you've been having problems with self-exclusion but we hope you don't give up on it. They do have a freephone helpline on 0800 138 6518, so please do give them a call to see if they can sort out the problems you're having.
As well as self-exclusion, you might find it helpful to install blocking software. This would stop you being able to open gambling sites and apps. There's more information on our website:
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/self-help/blocking-software/
We can offer you a promotional web link for the blocking software Gamban, which would allow you to install it on up to 3 devices for free. Just ask an adviser on GamCare's helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Keep posting,
Forum Admin
Hi
Your opening up and being honest is a very healthy mature thing to do.
There was a time I thought that I loved gambling, I thought that I loved the adrenaline rush, that I loved the buzz and build up.
Now today I understand that I was escaping in my fears from people life and situations I could not cope with.
The recovery program is and was all about healing for me, healing from the pains of self abuse but more importantly healing the hurt little child in me.
It was very important for me to write down my needs, to write down my wants, to write down my goals.
This helped greatly in bringing clarity and focus in to my days recovery.
Being in recovery I would learn and understand my unhealthy reactions towards people life and situations.
The recovery program is all about healing for me, healing from the pains of self abuse but more importantly healing the hurt little child in me.
It was very important for me to write down my needs, to write down my wants, to write down my goals.
This helped greatly in bringing clarity and focus in to my days recovery.
Being in recovery I would learn and understand my unhealthy reactions towards people life and situations.
I use to think and feel that money would make me happy, I use to think that getting money would make me feel successful.
The recovery program was going to help me help myself.
The recovery program was going to help me understand that my addictions and obsessions were a form of escape.
Only once I admitted to myself that my addictions and obsessions were very unhealthy and were a form of self abuse.
The recovery program helped me understand that I was like a rat in a wheel going faster and faster getting no where healthy.
Thank you for your sharing and your honesty.
I use to be mean with money and would not spend money on healthy things for myself.
The recovery program helped me learn that when I become healthy I needed to reward myself now and again.
The recovery program was all about nurturing and encouraging exchanging unhealthy habits in to .healthy habits.
Please keep going to meetings, you will benefit from it in so many ways.
Love and peace to every one.
Dave L
AKA Dave of Beckenham
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