Welcome to the forum. You did not ask for this addiction but all of us on here have it. When it takes over it becomes an obsession and doesn’t let go until we admit to ourselves that we are powerless over gambling, that our lives have become unmanageable and that a higher power can restore us to sanity again. First three steps of GA. many of us had also had multiple relapses before we ended up in recovery. To just abstain from gambling is not recovery because the addiction will drive you mad with all the lies, just one more time, it’s ok, you’ll win and cash out this time, all the rubbish lies. We have to say no to the addiction, that it is destroying us and is progressive taking us down further into a bottomless pit of insanity, bankruptcy, crime or suicide. That is it’s nature.
There is a way out, and that is to get support on the facilitated groups on here, write a journal, go to GA. I would suggest Charles facilitated groups to start. Many of us have required counselling to understand the triggers, why we started and work on those. We need help and support to step out of it but it all starts with facing ourselves and admitting that we are powerless over gambling.
I had a small 4 figure retirement fund. I used all of it to gamble, I ended up destitute and sick and also suicidal. Completely broken. That was the consequences of gambling. But I am not broken now. Life is better. We can emerge out of the very distressed hole that gambling brings like a phoenix from the ashes. And you sound as though you are quite young which means you can recover your life fully. Don’t take the retirement fund unless you need funds to live, can you give your money to your girlfriend to look after. You could say you had one slip and that you don’t want torisk it any more. Early recovery can make us feel anxious with mood swings, it did to me but they go, the longer distance we put between ourselves and a bet. Hope to see you in the groups or on the forum.

If you find yourself in a hole,
the first thing to do is stop digging!

I am over 14 months in recovery and still have huge debts. Creditors will wait, I have many I am unable to pay back but I really don’t sit and worry about it as much as I used to. They are still waiting. When we fess up and explain that we hve a gambling addiction they class it as a mental health problem and will give you more time and not hassle as much. It all will be what it will be and I have given every aspect of my life to God or higher power, whatever you believe in to sort it out in His time.
The it’s ok just one more time is the addiction speaking. Don’t listen to that lie. It won’t be ok, cos we can never win, the cycle just repeats itself over and over again.
And yes to me u r young lol!

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!