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    • #27731
      luluboo
      Participant

      Where do I begin?…

      I don’t know how to answer that question, but I know I want to get help. I’m 26 years old, and already have a gambling problem. I tried seeking help from the 24/7 hotline found in my state, and I didn’t get much out of it.

      Things have just gone haywire over the past year and it hasn’t been easy on me or my family. Since we are struggling with money and my urges for the casino slot machines, it’s been getting worse, and something has to stop.

      Today was my wake-up call. I spent the last of my parents money they have given me for my job. (I have to get fingerprinted for the work I want to do) Spent it at the casino, thinking “Oh! I can double my money and get some things for the house!” I was totally wrong. When I told my parents they were infuriated with me, and I don’t blame them. To make matters worse, I had to call and explain I didn’t have the money to HR, and even she seemed a bit on edge with me.

      In all I want this to stop. It’s ruining my life, and I’m hating myself for it. I don’t want to harm myself… I just, hate and loath myself so, so much.

      I just don’t know where to begin, and that’s the hard thing.

    • #27732
      janey1
      Participant

      <

      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.

      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!

    • #27733
      kpat
      Participant

      Hi Lulu,
      This is a great way to start. The best thing I have done to help me stop gambling is self-exclusion from the casino. It wasn’t that hard at that moment for me because of how many times I had tried to stop by sheer will power. I kept going back, over and over, despite my promises to myself. I finally realized, I had to make it nearly impossible for me to gamble. I can’t trust myself. I am pwowerless over this addiction. I had to admit that. I had to Suck up the courage and put my name on the banned list. It will be two months in a few days and it has been a struggle, but it has been the best decision I have made in a very long time. You can stop. Put up some high barriers and take it one day at a time.
      :)KP

    • #27734
      charles
      Moderator

      Hi Luluboo and welcoem to the forum. You have already got a good piece of advice; get yourself banned from that casino.

      The best piece of advice I could give would be to not try and do it on your own – if that worked then none of us would be here.

      There is a lot of support around these days, sites like this one, places like Gamblers Anonymous. Lots of barriers you can put in place as well; self exclusion, financial accountability etc

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

    • #27735
      lizbeth4
      Participant

      Hi Lulu. Coming here is a great start. Charles said it well, use all barriers you can put into place. GA was great for me. Take care and stay positive.

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