Hi,
I’m at a 22 year old man, for the past week I’ve been lying to my family lying to my work, even lying to my young daughter telling them I’m doing overtime or I’m to ill to work today. These have Been all lies, what I’ve been doing is going to the casinos to play blackjack removed link I’ve always though I never really had a problem with my gambling until now. During lockdown I was having sleepless nights and counting down the days until they reopened. When they reopened I was there on the day. When I started to go to the casinos I was only betting 5/10 a hand but now I’m betting 300/400 a spin. In the past 48 hours I have lost £3,500. Yesterday I broke down in the casino and asked the manager to self exclude me and sign me on sense. At first the casino was an enjoyable experience but I feel like I need to go and I need to try and win as much money as I can. Yesterday I was up around 2 grand but I didn’t care about that I just wanted to stay and keep on playing and not care about how much I was spending. The money I saved up during lockdown was meant to go towards a ring To propose to my partner on our anniversary next year.
after I cleared out my bank account and maxed out my overdraft and credit card I drove home and had a mental break down in a lay by. The only thing what didn’t tip me over the edge was seeing my girlfriend and daughter on the front of my phone. When I got home I told her everything. I told her I had a problem and told her that I been lying to her. She has been extremely quiet today and hasn’t spoken to me.
this is the first time I have ever spoken about my addiction and was just asking what is the best thing to do because I can’t keep doing this to my family. I’m currently at the lowest point in my life and the worst thing is I just want to gamble again.
thank for taking you time to read this.
Hi little Joe,
I am new here and you've posted this on the first day I've signed up. Firstly I want to say well done and congrats for finally being honest with your partner- I have not done that for the fear il be left on my own. The only thing I can really advice is to self exclude yourself, give finances over to your partner to control, use yours and others experiences to help you grow as a person. You have done the first step and you should be proud that you've self excluded from that casino but make sure you do from all of them you can access easily. You should also be proud of your honesty with the first step. One thing that's helping me at the minute is reading all the posts in this forum and seeing that there can be light at the end of the tunnel if you really don't want to gamble and commit to being gamble free. We both need to accept whats gone is gone and no matter what we can never get that back by gambling. We can do this together and I wish you every luck on your journey.
Thanks laura
Hi @littlejoe
Well done for finding this site and reaching out. Accepting that you have a gambling addiction and talking about it is a huge step. One piece of advice I always give newcomers is to be honest with your loved ones about everything and it sounds like you have done just that. Gambling feeds off of the lies. I had to do the same with my partner and it was the hardest thing ever but she stuck by me and supported me... I'm sure your partner will do the same.
Have you thought about handing over all finances to your partner for a while? I gave over all of my cards and gave my partner access to my bank accounts and credit report etc. Sounds like you have put some blocks in place. Sign up to Gamstop too so that you don't end up playing online. Might be worth going to a local GA meeting? Even if just once a week it's good to talk to others in the same situation (although I believe it's all on zoom at the moment).
Do the right thing mate. Life is much much MUCH better when you don't gamble I can assure you. I haven't gambled now for 20 months, if I can do it so can you. Do it while you're young too.
All the best. Happy to chat whenever.
Dave.
Hi Littlejoe
Casinos (roulette) were my downfall too. So many nights when I was up, but I stayed until I had blown it all - sometimes not having enough left for a taxi at the end of it. Makes no sense at all, but we've done it.
The one good thing about what I read is that you have told your girlfriend. That is a huge step forward. My wife found out the extent of my problem - actually I didn't;t know myself until she went through all my bank statements and told me the shocking truth. Now she has oversight of everything and that's such a help - I too have a young family and now know that I will no be risking or neglecting them any more. Once she gets over the initial shock I am sure you will find your girlfriend supportive. She will need support herself in all likelihood, but telling her is a great thing. Well done!
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
