Hi everybody,
Completely new to this sort of thing so here it goes.
Where to begin, my dad is a gambler due to retirememt it gives him something to do. My brother has quit after many years of failed attempts. He warned me since the day i started to stop, now he has no idea how bad its got.
My main issue, when i win, i dont keep it. I end up wasting all my winnings, then chase the lost winnings putting me in the minus. What broke me, is that this past month, at least half my wages if not more went on gambling and it broke me. This has pretty much happened the past 3 months. Im with a tipster and everyone seems to be winning but i cant seem to consistently.
Im in uni, i work 28 hours per week and have done for a while, but due to gambling and my lifestyle ive saved almost nothing compared to what i shouldve. I should be sitting on a pot Because ive nothing to spend it on, but nope.
Now its affecting me mentally, i just feel like crying. I want to talk to someone, but im so scared of the disappointment. My girlfriend will be worried sick and my dad would be disappointed, and i couldn't imagine if my brother found out.
What do i do?
A anxious teenager being stupid with his money.
P. S: Id like to add that im not broke, i do have savings. I just feel so guilty that they are not so much bigger than they are
Update: i hit my breaking point after writing this. Finally locked myself out of my account for a month, can't use any other websites, and j can't use physical shops due to covid-19. Cried too. But i know i cant watch horse racing without getting temptations (i enjoy the sport itself, enjoy spending the time watching it with my dad) any suggestions?
Hi @anxietyissues,
Welcome to the forum and well done for sharing
Sorry to hear that you are going through this at the moment, support is available for you and your family.
Please call the helpline (0808 8020 133) or contact you can contact us on the netline via the website (www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now), and continue to use the Forum.
All the best,
Forum Admin
Hi my suggestion is to get as far away from ur savings as possible so there's no temptation. I transfer after mortgage bills etc all my money to my dad and he looks after it for me. If u don't need the money for living I would suggest working less and spending more time on ur studies after all u only get to go to uni once in life and knowledge is very important. I went to uni and I passed but I regret spending the majority of time working and socialising when I could have learnt more. Put all the blocks in place if u are serious about stopping eg gamstop, sense for casinos, phone to exclude from bookies etc. These all help down the line when urges occurs. Once you've done this enjoy yourself you're young try not to focus on mistakes everyobe makes then enjoy uni it really is a precious time.
You ask what do you do. What do you want to do? Stop gambling or stop losing?
If you want to stop gambling look at the advice here on effective blocks and action it. Sign up for counselling and look for GA meetings. Take action now while the damage is still limited otherwise it will spiral to unmanageable levels. Also stop following the tipsters. They're often affiliated with the gambling firms and are paid a percentage of your losses.
Hi AI.
Use this downtime to phone someone close and tell them. There is no shame. You are an addict and hooked to the act of gambling.
ITS NOT AN INCOME SCHEME and you really know that.
It fast becomes a drug addiction and your gambling family have been an influence whether you like that or not.
Im serious in get those savings away from you in a locked account monitored by family. Your savings are at risk...you have no control of your own mind
End the gambling now and please seek help. Its not a game about a silly flutter...it kills people to be blunt because you have yet to fully understand the mind and power of auto suggestion.
It also points to issues within your soul perhaps the stress of university or an uncertain life. I was a dreamer to escape the reality of my anxious depressed soul
All my life I saw no future because I was always my own worst enemy. I was the classic and vunerable addict in the making...gambling was my drug of choice to escape life.. I will put it as.simply as that to try and describe a complex addiction.
You need to do the cold turkey and you need close support.
Best wishes from everyone on the forum
Thank you for sharing your story and reaching out for help. It takes a lot of courage to recognize that you have a problem and to take steps to address it.
Firstly, it's important to remember that you are not alone in this. Many people struggle with gambling addiction, and there is help available. Talking to someone about your feelings and your gambling problem can be a helpful first step. You may want to consider reaching out to a professional counselor or therapist who can provide confidential support and guidance.
There are also a number of organizations that offer support and resources for people with gambling addiction, such as Gamblers Anonymous or the National Gambling Helpline (in the UK). These organizations can connect you with other people who have similar experiences and provide tools and strategies for managing your addiction.
In terms of your gambling behavior, it sounds like you recognize that chasing your losses is a problem. One strategy that may be helpful is setting a budget and sticking to it. Consider setting aside a certain amount of money for gambling each month, and when it's gone, you stop gambling for the rest of the month. This can help you avoid chasing losses and overspending.
It's also important to find other activities or hobbies to fill your time and provide enjoyment. Consider finding activities that you can do with your dad that don't involve gambling, such as hiking or playing board games. This can help you maintain your relationship without risking your finances and mental health.
Remember that recovery from gambling addiction is a process, and it's okay to have setbacks along the way. Be kind to yourself and focus on taking small steps towards a healthier relationship with gambling.
But probably the most logical thing you could do - to go to a psychologist and discuss this problem, he will give you some advice and besides that he will reassure you in such a way that you will not want to play in this anymore.
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.
