[chris4]

Going to keep this simple. 

I am 19, I have been gambling since it was legal for me (18). The typical trend, $10 bets, $20 bets, now $100 bets, $200 bets

The money I spend, it isn’t my savings but despite this, I feel sick to my stomach after a loss. I get in the habit of I could start at +$500 for the day, drop $10, but then risk everything to get that $10 back, it’s pathetic.

I have set self exclusions, tried to stop myself, but boredom is consistently in play. I don’t even feel anything betting anymore. I just feel sick to my stomach after a loss and have horrible thoughts. 

I need to nip this in the bud, I am relatively young, but know if I keep going down this path, my future will be extremely grim. 

I don’t know what to do, I just dropped $500 today and feel as if my stomach has been ripped apart, I feel horrendous. 

Do I need daily journals to be accountable? Do I need to hear the worst of the worst stories to get some perspective?

I really am lost for words and am just disgusted it has gotten this far as to posting on a forum. 

I need help, I don’t want my future to be like this. 

[St.Jude]

Hi Chris,

I just found this site an hour ago and I’m definitely feeling a lot of the same things. My situation is unfortunately a bit worse, though I’m also somewhat young, and my problem has also developed somewhat recently, so I can relate.

I think you’re on to something; regular postings here may need to be a part of our cure. It will greatly increase the likelihood that we will refrain from gambling if we make a habit of writing out our thoughts and reflecting on the pain we’ve caused ourselves. At the very least we won’t be gambling if we’re on this forum.

If you’re game, I’m willing to exchange diary posts with you now and then, and perhaps this will help us resolve to make a change. I’ve read quite a few posts on here already and it sounds like there are some dedicated and great people who want to share their experience. Reading them has brought a bit of comfort and hope. I will try to post daily, just as an exercise for myself, and we’ll see what comes of it.

Consider joining a GA group perhaps? I’m just getting started with one and if nothing else, it makes me feel better. Also starting therapy might help. I’ll be seeking that out this week. I’m a trained counselor so it’s especially hard for me to seek this help, but I’ve had a good therapist in the past, and it was actually okay once I swallowed my pride.

Someone answered a hotline when I called this thanksgiving out of desperation, and told me they came very close to suicide by handgun after losing everything. Gruelling story. He was able to recover and now has a family. I don’t want to believe it, but what he said to me might be true. Not only are we compulsive gamblers, but we don’t have a financial problem – we have an emotional problem.

Just know that this could get a lot worse for you. I don’t mean to end on a sour note, but it’s the truth. I’m trying to tell myself that constantly as a deterrent. There is definitely hope though, so let’s try and seek it out.

[i-did-it]

Hi Chris
Welcome to the site – I sense that you are relay upset about losing £500 and I understand this -‘gambling is a progressive disease and the losses only get bigger so well done on seeking help at this stage .

There are support groups on here also – perhaps
Setting up barriers like internet blockers will help you not to gamble ?

Every time we throw out money to the “fatcat” casinos we deprive ourselves dog things we could be enjoying .

Keep posting – you can stop this now ! If you think about it $500 would have bought a lot of entertainment so you don’t have to be bored – sometimes our addiction causes us to not spend money on normal things but then blow huge sums on gambling .
One of my strategies is to always treat myself to something which I consider frivolous – even a magazine – just to get used to spending money on normal thins and on me .

Hope to see you on here lots.

[velvet]

Hello Chris 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!

[Author]

Posts