Staying committed

2 Posts
2 Users
0 Likes
2,442 Views
(@frash22)
Posts: 1
Topic starter
 

Since I was 14, I had first gambled without even realizing it, through the form of digital games amounting to very small amounts, however, approaching approaching my late teenage years and earning more money online, it had escalated massively due to isolating myself and difficulties I found myself in.

Now I am 21, and now an adult, it's suddenly became all real, I am now currently in debt approx. £17.5k due to gambling away all my earnings over the last 2 years, which had included tax instead of keeping aside, and I know I cannot afford to give into my urges anymore. This is going to be a huge learning curve for me and I know I have to do something and make a change, or this will ultimately end up consuming my life completely.

It's been around 19 days since I placed my last bet, December was probably one of the worst months I had in 2021, I had received an influx of money at once from my Christmas Bonus and pay in advance and gradually splurged this through sporadic sessions over the course of 3 weeks. 

I had taken longer periods without gambling back in 2020, this was mostly because I was preoccupied with my job, feeling more content in my life, had less stress, and generally enjoying life, but towards the end of 2020, I had changed position in the company I worked for and ultimately put me in a very stressful position and found myself, the I was isolating myself more, and relieving myself in the form of gambling.

The best thing any ordinary person would do is leave the job immediately, but it's simply not feasible for me to do this, I am stuck. I would struggle to get a job in another company within the same role and salary, as I bring little to no value to the company but got extremely lucky with my position in the company and underqualified to say the least, (the reason being, I joined a couple months after it launched as a brand new start up but now a brand multimillion dollar brand) my manager now practically carries my job and I now feel in a very vulnerable position as I'm fully aware I am easily replaceable and could easily lose my job putting me in a terrible position.

Now the end January is upon me,  it has dawned on me I have a huge tax bill due which I cannot afford due to my gambling, I realise I have no way to escape this and I am dreading the embarrassing call I'll have to make to HMRC on Monday explaining why I cannot pay my taxes and attempting to set up a payment plan.

The next coming months will be harder than ever to say the last, having to force myself to be extremely cautious with my income, keeping to a tight budget and above all, knowing that I will be liable to pay a monthly expense (debt), which is something I have never had before, even rent, I am lucky in that sense but also feel it is a curse as I am in a position where I have put myself no self control, lack the independence and not having any real responsibilities.

No more excuses now, I will have to face the consequences, and do my absolute best to try and get over this terrible addiction and the last few years I've put myself through.

Will check in here regularly.

Thank you to anyone who had taken the time to read this, looking forward to the journey ahead.

 
Posted : 16th January 2022 1:46 am
Forum admin
(@forum-admin)
Posts: 5946
Admin
 

Dear @Frash22

Welcome to the GamCare Forum and thank you for sharing your post.

I am sorry you are going through a really tough time at the moment. There is plenty of support available to you and you have made a really positive step today by posting your story.

Please feel free to contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.

Please know that you are not alone.

Best wishes

Sallie

Forum Admin

 
Posted : 16th January 2022 10:34 am

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.

Find out more
Close