Hello, I feel it's time I finally admit I need help. I am in my mid 20's and have been gambling heavily since I was 19. I have tried to stop gambling but I now realise I turn to it in times of severe stress, whilst being in denial that gambling has been to escape from some realities of my life. Over the weekend I lost my savings from gambling and I feel so much guilt that I have got into this position. No one around me knows I even gamble but for me, gambling has never been about the money but the thrill and escapism it provides. On the whole I have a pretty good life with a loving girlfriend, good friend and family. Today I spoke to gamcare and will hopefully see a counsellor in the next few weeks. I haven't gambled for three days and have installed gamblock on my laptop, but it is hard to let go the amount of money I have spent. I am too ashamed to confide in my family or friends so I'm hoping to explore coping mechanisms to resist the urges and temptations from here.
I'd be happy to chat to someone privately to provide more details if possible. I just want to get my life on track financially and emotionally before I lose everything I have.
A lot of what you have said here is very similar to my own life.
We we need to stop now before we waste more of our years. We’d end up being 60 in crippling debt wishing we fixed the problem sooner.
I hate myself already for not stopping stopping when I was 19/20, when I first realised I had a problem.
Yea it feels pretty terrible. It's also the amount of time gambling has been on my mind obsessively for the past few years. I actually found an email I wrote myself in November last year after a big gambling loss and the way it made me feel at the time. It just hurts that I didn't learn my lesson.
I have a job interview today so hopefully I can start earning some of the money back. But honestly, I sort of dred waking up and acknoweledging the extent of what i've been doing to myself. Hopefully this is my first step to recovery.
I have been offered a full-time job which pays weekly, so should be out of debt on October 1st. Such a relief but the impulse to gamble is still there mentally. Just a day at a time.
Congrats on the job.
Be careful with weekly pay. I know my warped brain would be telling me to gamble, as who cares if it loses, i’ll Just get paid again in a week!
I’ve also left myself many messages over the years. I manage to stop for a few months, forget the pain, then put myself in the s**t again.
keep going
It's an active job too, so I should be distracted throughout the day. I have about £60 to last me until the start of October which will financially be a nightmare until then as I have to pay off £80 for a private medical bill before then. Today will be the first weekened in 4 yerars I haven't gambled on a matchday. I can't wait for each milestone.
Hi aeg90,
Congratulations on your new job! We are glad you are getting support from our forum and that you have also contacted us on our Helpline/Netline regarding getting extra support for yourself. You have made a positive start, so keep connecting with others and telling us all about your milestones.
Best Wishes
Forum Admin
Thank you. I found today extremely difficult as I had tickets for a football match today (bought before I lost everything). It's sad everything around the sport is based on betting, but it was nice just feeling the love for the sport again. If I hadn't have blocked myself, I probably would have gambled today chasing my losses. But I realised that even if I 'win' i'd only lose that money back. I have had dark feelings due to my actions but I realise I just want the urges and guilt to go but it will get better.
I've felt a bit better mentally the past few days. Unfortunately I'm going to be charged £80 in unarranged overdraft charges on top off my debt. On a positive I start job training today too so should be out of debt at the start of next month.. Its been one of the lowest points of my life but I feel I have a lifeline. I have no urge to gamble again.
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