[suddenrealisation]

Hi All,

I’m just here so I can write down my problems regarding gambling somewhere.

I’ve been gambling since October, I’ve never placed a bet before then. It started with a family member telling me about some free bets (for Football), so I went ahead and used them. I won them both and had won over £100. It all started from there… since then I’ve struggled to go a day without thinking of betting or placing a bet.

Usually I have been betting on Football and I’d estimate I was up over 1 grand since October. I’d recently started getting involved with Roulette, and today I have lost £2900, leaving myself with £1100 in my savings. This may not sound much for some but it’s so much for me and I’ve just thrown it away hoping I’d get the black or red fall my way.

I’ve felt sick all day and I’ve been pretending to everyone that I’m gone which is hard too.

I’ve deleted all gambling apps from my phone and I feel so sick about that lost money.

I’ll hopefully be getting a bonus at my work next month which should just about cover what I’ve lost, but it makes it feel even more pointless so get something that I had already.

I love Football but how am I to watch it without being tempted to bet? The it feels like the biggest hobby I have is now ruined.

I hope everyone else out there is coping with this addiction, I didn’t even realise I had one until today and it’s made me sick to my stomach.

[Dunc]

Hello 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!

[charles]

Hi Suddenrealisation and welcome to the forum. Well done on looking for help.

If you read the other stories here you will see the sort of actions you can take. Well donje on deleting those apps. Now sign up at Gamstop.co.uk and you can get yourself banned from all UK based sites. Get yourself banned from your local bookies as well. Be honest with someone you trust – accountability, so we can’t gamble secretly also helps. I suggest putting these things in place before you get that work bonus – that’s when the urges are likely to kick in again.

When it comes to the football you need to be honest with yourself. Are you a fan of football? Or a fan of betting on football?

I know when i first atopped I didn’t switch a match on until kick off – that way I avoided hearing about any pre-match odds. I didn’f look up any odds either. Watch on a delay – that way any in-match odds that flash up are meaningless. It also means that you can fast forward during half time. If you listen to sport on the radio then make it BBC Fivelive where they don’t give odds. Avoid Talksport where they do.

Keep posting and let us know what positive steps you are taking.

[Author]

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