Off my chest

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(@overflown)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Hi guys,

 

So I am 22. I have been gambling since I was pretty much allowed and it has been a problem since. 

 

I have been in a constant denial for the past 4 years, making excuses for it all of the time and convincing myself that it isn’t a problem. 

 

Last September at the age of 21 I was extremely stressed and about 8k in debt after a build up of credit card to credit card to loan. I took the step to talk to my mum, who was amazing. Straight away she had my bank password, paid my loan off so I could avoid the interest and then made a plan for me to pay her back.

 

Luckily, I have quite a decent paying job and managed to pay it all off by April-May time. No gambling in that time felt amazing and for the first time in 4 years I felt free, not having the stress of when the next bet would be or about how to lie to hide my money troubles.

 

Since then, I have been trying  to save as much as possible - whilst also slowly betting again. Over time it has gotten worse again and after doing really well, I have messed up. I won around £x in one bet, only to now have lost it. It was like after that win I was hooked again. Luckily it hasn’t put me back in debt as I had saved up enough, but me and my girlfriend are saving for a deposit and now I’ve put a huge dent in that.

 

I am so ashamed of myself and mostly scared to tell my parents and my girlfriend as they all have so much faith in me and I just keep letting people down. I have a good job, an amazing girlfriend, an amazing family and I am a happy, confident person. I just have this one problem that I want to shake so bad but I keep messing up. When I realise the fact that I can lose the same amount of a holiday in a day, it really is sickening.

 

I have realised now that I can’t even have a small bet - it just triggers the chasing mindset of wanting a big win. I would never normally post on something like this but I think writing all of this down for the first time ever is a type of acceptance that I need - that I have needed for a long time. 

 

I am addicted to gambling. Something I never wanted to say and that I am ashamed of, but saying it is a weight lifted and I am hoping I can now begin to stop.

 

Today, 12/08/19 will be my final day gambling.

This topic was modified 5 years ago by Forum admin
 
Posted : 12th August 2019 9:16 pm
holycrosser
(@holycrosser)
Posts: 859
 

How are you gambling? What form?

 
Posted : 14th August 2019 4:59 am
(@overflown)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Mainly horses. 

 
Posted : 15th August 2019 9:40 am
(@overflown)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

Just a quick update... still no bet from myself.

 

Was tempted to have a small football one today (£10) because i’ve always been fine with football just not horses. Decided not to, would rather not bet at all right now to not dip into any temptations.

 
Posted : 24th August 2019 12:45 pm
(@lowsx100)
Posts: 80
 

I feel you. I am so low now and full of anger, self hatred and I pity myself... Lost 2000 pounds in 2 days. I just want to punch myself in the face. Im shaking. Want this to be over so badly...

How are you doing now? My problem is that when enough time has passed I seemed to forget everything that I have learned. Then back to square one.

 
Posted : 27th August 2019 11:55 am
Forum admin
(@forum-admin)
Posts: 5946
Admin
 

Hi Lowsx100,

We are glad that you are receiving support from the forum. Perhaps, also make a note of your feelings so you can refer back to them. This doesn't have to be on technology, just a simple notebook, to jot things down.  You could pick out some uplifting comments for the forum too - then you can refer to them as well .

Best wishes,

 

Forum Admin

 
Posted : 2nd September 2019 10:44 pm
(@lowsx100)
Posts: 80
 

Thank you admin for the non judgemental support you are giving. I will surely take your advice. Im still kicking myself, but its slowly getting better...

 
Posted : 3rd September 2019 12:38 am
(@overflown)
Posts: 4
Topic starter
 

So today is the 1 month marker and still no bet so thought I’d quickly check in. 

 

I wasn’t in a good place at work after some awkward colleagues but recently some events took place so this should be improving and savings slowly getting back on track.

 

Thanks again for the help 🙂

 
Posted : 12th September 2019 2:22 pm
(@long-road-199)
Posts: 34
 

Good on you overflown just remember it is a slippery slope that is only one bet away, I have gone 100 days clean a few times before and all it takes is that 1 small bet to lead to disaster, stay strong 

 
Posted : 12th September 2019 2:52 pm

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