Hi, my name is Cameron and ive recently signed up to get help woth my gambling addiction. Im only 19 however i have gambled since the age of 14. It went from betting my “pocket money” to now betting every penny i recieve.
i lost my job during lockdown and ive been struggling for money. My addiction started to grow since June and has now became a massive problem. Any money i get i gamble. Im in my overdraft and have been for 4 months. I have an outstanding phone bill which is just stupidly high die to not paying it. At the age of 19 i should not have all these problems. I havent even had many wins, its just chasing losses. Im not lucky in any way. I make a couple of hundred pounds for a £1000 deposit and lose everything shortly after.
I have realised now, i need help. I need to nip it in the bud before i continue. I have downloaded gamban and gamstop to try and help. I have also been given a referral to a therapist. I am taking steps to better myself as its not how ive been brought up. I havent got many reasons for it. I just do it. I get bored sat at home during lockdown so i turn to gambling for “excitement”
Tbh, this is a rant. I need to get it off my chest as i dont really have the balls to speak about it with family. They would scream if they found out how bad my problem was.
I guess if theres anyone else in the same boat as me, i hope you’re reading this with the same goal in mind, I know i need to stop gambling. I just need to be pointed in the right direction!
Hi Cameron, firstly well done for reaching out on here, at only 19 that must have taken guts. There are so many temptations these days to gamble online so easy and it doesn't feel like real money until you look at your bank balance.
What you have done so far is really good and shows you have a good head on your shoulders and realise you need to stop before you get in deeper. Gamstop and Gamban are good and I hope you have registered for the max 5 years. If your gambling is all online I would recommend you contact your bank to get them to block all gambling transactions on your card, you need to have as many blockers in place as you can for when the temptation arises. Have you spoken to a Gamcare advisor, if not you should as they will help you with your own personal circumstances.
As for telling your family, yes they will be angry but when you tell them you have already put blockers in place I'm sure they will be supportive as well. Keeping this to yourself might add more stress whereas talking to those close to you could be a great weight off your shoulders. Only you can decide when the time is right to go there.
Chasing losses is what keeps us all gambling when we know it's wrong and the likelyhood of hitting the big win to recoup is very slim to say the least. Even if this did happen would you have stopped. I know I wouldn't have when I was gambling, would probably have lost it all again!
You are only very young so get your life in order now and look forward to the future, from a 61 year old who should know better but is now 7 months gamble free after many years of gambling.
Good luck and keep posting
Well done Blademan for 7 months gamble free.
Please feel free to refuse any suggestions.
1. Open an Monzo account, if already have one- create a pot that pays yourself £1 daily per day for not gambling. Not only this acts like a visual motivational tool as well as it keeps track of your gamble free days. This put you in the driving seat and not the other way round. You will feel valued and in control.
I hope this help and it is NEVER too late to help yourself.
All the best
Xoi
Soysauce147, thanks, you just seem to be copying and pasting this all over the place
It is bit like discovery of something new to battle this inner demon. I want to share this methodology with you guys, especially those with gambling problems. The gambling industry is not short of cash anytime soon.
Xoi
Thanks Blade! Congrats on your 7 months GF! It is hard being 19 especially in todays society where opening up about feelings and trying to right wrongs professionally is a bit taboo
Hi cameron
Was great to meet you on lunch time chat
Hoping to hear from you tomorrow on your first gamble free day
Well done for the courage in getting the blocks
Speak soon
Lou x
Hi Cameron,
Well dome for taking the steps needed to block out gambling sites.
However my own experience when recovering from my crippling gambling addiction, the biggest and most important factor was telling my girlfriend. I know it seems the impossible to tell your parents, but you really will need that support from someone so close to you and once you have said it, it’s out there and they will. E sad/angry at first, but then as your parents they will want to help you get the support and help you need.
In my experience the bans alone do not help, one momentary lack of weakness and you will find some dodgy website somewhere. You need to tell your loved ones who can help monitor your finances and distance yourself as much as possible from gambling ads, for example going less on social media sites etc.
All the best
Callum
Thanks Lou!
look after yourself! X
Hi Cameron,
Well dome for taking the steps needed to block out gambling sites.
However my own experience when recovering from my crippling gambling addiction, the biggest and most important factor was telling my girlfriend. I know it seems the impossible to tell your parents, but you really will need that support from someone so close to you and once you have said it, it’s out there and they will. E sad/angry at first, but then as your parents they will want to help you get the support and help you need.
In my experience the bans alone do not help, one momentary lack of weakness and you will find some dodgy website somewhere. You need to tell your loved ones who can help monitor your finances and distance yourself as much as possible from gambling ads, for example going less on social media sites etc.
All the best
Callum
I completely understand Callum. Thankyou for the advice! My family do know however not the ins and outs of it all!
I hope youre doing well my friend!
Evening all,
I am no expert, however, I do have a few suggestions:
1. Buy a copy of Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters for £6.99 from any good book store (Amazon, Ebay). The urge to gamble is your monkey self, not you.
2. Sign up with all casinos and gambling sites and self exclude yourself for maximum amount of time.
3. Sign up with Gamstop and download Gamban on your mobile phone.
4. If possible, sign up with Fintech bank such as Monzo bank that bars all gambling transactions and create a pot that pays yourself £1 daily for not gambling. This is used as a visual motivation tool as well as keeps a track record of your gamble free days.
5. Albert Einstein once quoted: if you do something over and over, you'll get the same result.
6. Finding a replacement for your gambling such as short walks, visit libraries, bike riding, reading etc. Anything that is counter productive and stuff that interests you.
7. Gambling (Greed) is not on the life menu- even the Bible states "You shall not covet your neighbours goods," Eventhough you may not be religious, however, it is an invaluable advice.
8. If you get the gambling urges- go and watch Utube clips on recovery gamblers such as Only Phil and the winning hand. Find out as much information as you can to beat this greedy monkey.
9. Forgiveness- learn to live with it. As time passes it will become easier and easier regardless of how much money lost in the process.
10. Try to separate yourself and your behaviour- as they're two entities.
11. Remember, time is on your side- healing process can start.
12. If all fails, go to GA meeting and start 12 steps. Go and seek professional help.
I hope this helps.
All the best.
Xoi
Ps A thousand miles begin with one step
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.
