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    • #46131
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      I started gambling around 4 months ago it just started off at the bookies putting £10/20 in then after a few weeks it lead to £100/200 I then barred my self one day decided to get the William Hill app that’s when it got out of control for me I was putting £5000 in or more but it was okay because ide make maybe £500 back. Then last Saturday I was on holiday with my friends a few days before I put 8k in and got 21 back. One night they all went out I decided to stay in because ide had abit to drink. I thought oh I’ll jjst put £500 in that £500 turned into £28k I put every single penny I had in my bank I’m also including getting a £700 overdradt William Hill then blocked my account told me there’s not a chance of me having it back. I’ve lost all my life savings I have £2000 to my name. But I’m 22 and I just think atleast I’ve done it when I’m young but then another thing tells me if I could just get that account back I could win abit of money back. I’ve now not gambled for a week and my girlfriend is helping me through it. I struggle to get out of bed on a morning but I need to work hard and get some money back behind me. one minuite I believe I can get over this then the next I think what’s even the point in been here I’ve blown everything ive ever worked for. But I’ve got good people around me telling me everything will be okay in time.

    • #46132
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      I just need time and help 

    • #46133
      velvet
      Moderator

      Hello Jack and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

      Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

      Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

      As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

      And on that note….

      I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

      Take care

      The Gambling Therapy Team

      PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

    • #46134
      finding_laura
      Participant

      Hi Jack, welcome to the forum. It is truly devastating when we realize what we’ve done. Losing it all hurts no matter what age. Thinking about what that money represents after we have gambled it will nearly drive us crazy. The problem is that it isn’t our money anymore. We spent it, we gave it to them and they don’t give it back. There is no promised win. Thankfully you haven’t borrowed a lot of money yet to feed this addiction you have. And that is what it is. You are addicted to the feeling you get when you win. We can’t cash out feelings so we go back looking to get that feeling again. It doesn’t matter if it costs us everything we keep trying. I’m glad you have the support of your girlfriend. I would suggest that you put in place as many barriers as you can. I believe you can sign up on GAMSTOP in the UK to prevent you from opening online accounts. But I’m not from there so perhaps someone could tell you more. You can beat this addiction. Keep close to this site and do some reading of past posts. There are many suggestions and advice contained there that can be helpful. And ask for advice and help if you need. Perhaps some counseling would be helpful. Well done on coming here. Laura

    • #46135
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      thanks Laura. but sadly I’ve done it again I was doing so well getting a bit happier and getting over it but sadly tonight I’ve been on and lost 2000 I was just getting better I just think why why me?! I did do gam stop but sadly it didn’t work with sky bet. I can’t tell my mum or girlfriend because they would be so dissapointed. I really can’t see past this I don’t think I could face my self to go to a group meeting 

    • #46136
      finding_laura
      Participant

      Hi Jack, sorry to hear you went back for another go. I’m not surprised. It takes a lot to beat this addiction and we usually don’t have everything in place the first time we try.

      As blockers and gamstop were of no use to you, you will have to stop your access to money. A gambling addict shouldn’t have access to $2000. Is there anyway to have your cheque deposited to your moms account so you don’t spend it? If you don’t have access to any money you can’t gamble. No money = No gambling.

      But in order to stay stopped you should have some sort of support. I know face to face group meetings seem scary. But they shouldn’t be. It should be a place that leaves you feeling inspired to overcome this addiction. What about counseling? I did both. It helped me tremendously.

      Please don’t give up! This addiction will drag you down further than you can imagine. Please fight for your sanity and put as much effort into stopping as you possibly can.

      You can be happy again.
      Laura

    • #46137
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      Laura how long have you been gambling free? And what was the main things that helped you to stop? Like right now I’m telling my self that’s it I’ve finaly realised there is only one winner I’ve no access to any sites no more because I’ve put my self  a 30 day break on sky bet. The hardest thing is that I want to stop so much but it’s just when I’ve had a bad day 

    • #46138
      finding_laura
      Participant

      Hi Jack, sorry for the late reply. Life has been busy and hectic and truly I wonder how I even semi managed any kind of life while i was gambling. How are you doing?

      The main things that helped me stop gambling were: No access to money for a while and then when I did start having access my bank account was monitored by a family member and I gave her all receipts so I couldn’t be returning things for cash without it being marked on the receipt. NO credit card access. So that took care of money access. I also went for addictions counseling. Attended GA meetings regularly. Went for credit counseling. And I nearly lived on this site. Posting and doing groups. I also started to add in other activities to try and fill my time. Slowly relationships were rebuilt and after nearly losing them all I treasured my time with them. I hope you are still fighting the fight JP!
      take care, Laura

    • #46139
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      It’s okay I’m not doing too bad today has been really hard that demon in my head has been telling me to go to s bookies but I’ve not I’ve not done it . I just want to make everyone proud and get back to my self. I’ve started seeing my friends again Which is good because I was struggling to face anyone. How old are you Laura ? And how long have you been gamble free? If this demon doesn’t leave my in the next two weeks I’m going to see about one to one counceling

    • #46140
      Dmgibs
      Participant

      I am glad you are trying to get a handle on this early. You are heading in the right direction. Hang in there. I am over 50 and have gambled my whole life. I make about 20 to 30 grand a year so when I got my win/loss statement for my tax records I was shocked to see that I lost over $150,000 in one year. How does that happen? When you spend all you win right back. I am going to my first GA meeting tonight. I am excited and scared.

    • #46141
      kathryn
      Participant

      I’m glad you fought the urge to gamble.
      Is there something you can do to take your mind off the urges, go for a run, or a walk, call someone -a friend or family member, even just for a chat, meet up with someone for a coffee? Those urges can be all consuming, I always imagine my addiction as a little monster sitting on my shoulder whispering in my ear.
      Keeping busy and filling your time can get you through them.
      I’m happy to read you are catching up with friends. Gambling takes so much from us, theres the money of course, but the time we lose with our family and friends is huge.
      Just get through each day, hour, minute if you have to.
      I do hope, as Laura said , you consider some sort of counselling. Be it one on one or GA…..every little bit helps.
      Take care, Kathryn x

    • #46142
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      thats exactly what I had  when I lost everything I got tbat months statement ide put In 75k and lost 76k in one month it’s crazy when I only earn 25k a year. I am scared to go to counceling but if the urge Doesnt Start drifting in the next two weeks I’m going to go to one to one sessions . How did your GA meeting go?

    • #46143
      Jackpalmer1996
      Participant

      thanks kathryn. Yeah I’ve been keeping busy finaly getting my self back into the gym and falling in love with it again. then on a night if i start to get a urge I just take my dogs out or something cheap seen and though I’m trying to save some money back up , how old are you Kathryn and how long have you been gamble free?

    • #46144
      finding_laura
      Participant

      Hey Jack, glad to see you are still here and doing great. Keep adding in activities that make you feel good in different ways. Exercise, quality time with friends and family, meditation and anything that helps you feel better.

      I am currently 48. I was 34 when I started gambling and i had two major periods of heavy gambling where I lost everything I owned and could borrow. I stopped gambling at 39. 9 years ago. I stopped for 5 and a half years. Then gambled sporadically for a while. I now have another year in without gambling and I never want to tempt it again.

      One thing I would say to you is protect your savings. Put them into an account where you need to give notice to take money out or give it to someone you trust to take care of. Keep it up!
      Laura

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