[Ynotm8]

Hey Guys,

Have just signed up here and want to share my story and get some advice to help with my gambling problem.

I’m 28 and i run a business in NZ, I have been gambling for as long as i can remember, however, recently i have become a lot worse. I mainly gamble on the slots and find this to be the most addictive type of gambling for me, sports and horses don’t really have the same effect. About 4 months ago I won 12,000 dollars on the online slots, this set me off in a bad way, ever since I have spending more and more on gambling and it’s starting to become a real issue in my life. I would love to know how other people in my situation have overcome there problem and moved on with there lives? I don’t want to lose everything I have achieved so far but I feel like gambling is the biggest obstacle i have had to overcome so far in my life. I started my own business at 25 and am now into my second, it’s been easy with no financial help from anyone but my own hard work and dedication but I can’t seem to stop spending the majority of my money on gambling no matter how hard I try and how embarrassed it makes me feel . I hope this gives you a wee bit of insight into my life and hopefully someone can relate to my situation and let me know what has helped them stop or minimise the problem : )

Thanks in advance

[kathryn]

Welcome! I’m glad you have found this site.
Slots are my poison also.
Can you put a blocker on your phone and computers? Betfilter is a good one for example. You won’t be able to access gambling sites.
Finding this site is a great step towards a life free from gambling. Is there gamblers anonymous in NZ ( I’m in Aus)
Might be worth a look!
Seems like you have done well at such a young age, don’t let gambling take it all from you. You can overcome, barriers are a great help, posting and reading here will give you some tools to put in place.
Well done on taking the leap, I look forward to hearing more from you.
Love K xx

[finding_laura]

Hi M8 and welcome to the forum.

I’ve only got a moment but wanted to say this site was the starting point of my recovery. Being here learning from others helped me learn what I needed to do. Unfortunately for me it was only after I destroyed any personal finances and jeopardized my marriage. Hopefully you won’t have to go to those extremes before you put what you learn into place.
take care,
Laura

[lizbeth4]

Welcome! GT is a good start for CG’s. Try to put any barriers and blockers in place. There are groups on here also. Keep posting! We are all here for each other.

[i-did-it]

Hi M8,
It was lovely to meet you in chat, and I’m really pleased you decided to start a thread – can I echo Kathryn’s wise words – you have done really well for someone so young – however as you have learned you could lose the lot to this disease. Gambling addiction takes us to our very knees.

Looking for a local GA is a great idea – also it is a good idea to put whatever barriers you can in place to prevent gambling. – they are the only things that have prevented me from ruination .
You will learn more about the tools that can help you in the groups – there is one for new members on a Monday and Thursday night – U.K. Time .
I hope this is the start of a wonderful recovery .

[Ynotm8]

Thanks for the supportive comments guys

Unfortunately for me Iive in a town of only 3000 people with 2 casinos only 30 minutes away and probably around 5 other slot machine venues within a 2km radius of my house with no local gambling support. The closest place for me is to get any help with a group or counsellor is 3 hours drive which from my perspective doesn’t really seem right. I got a hold of the gambling helpline in New Zealand one other time and because I didn’t reply within 2 minutes of there response they told me to have a nice day. I think there are a whole lot of other people in the same boat as me locally so I worry for them aswell .

Moving on I have put the betfilter on my pc and phone as you said and have only considered gambling once or twice today but have not followed through and now that I have checked this thread and read your comments it makes me even more determined not to do so.

Thank you I really appreciate the supportive comments

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