[Keegan23]

Hi all, my story is as follows…
Sept 2018 my life was great, wonderful gf, 40 000 USD in savings and a job (not the best). In October 2018 i discovered online sports betting, started with 5usd then 20usd and started betting on weekends for epl games. I was winning so i decided to increase my deposits to 100usd and 200usd and so on. The problem is i would bet and bet and win but not cash out and then lose all. One day i created a spreadsheet showing if i started with 1000usd and i bet on safer bets with odds of 1.083/1.10 and keep going all in on the next bet and the next bet i would win alot in no time with the compound interest. I reached 20 000usd PROFIT!!…again as i said earlier i did not cash out n i eventually lost everything!!.. then i started to chase profits and lost. Then i started to chase losings and lost… it is 2020 and to date i have 10 000usd in debt and 0 dollars saved accounting to almost 80 000usd in total being lost to gambling. I used gambling as a form of comfort in the earlies, i was always unsatisfied with my job. I started gambling and got addicted and that added to my depression and then my gf broke up with me which resulted in more depression. I told my family and friends and for a mnth in nov 2019 i stopped. But in December 2019, i lied and went behind their backs and resumed and lost every remaining cent and racked up credit card debt. I am 31 yrs old and was suicidal thinking about everything i lost in a year…all my money, my gf, my grandmom, and dog (latter 2 died). I work for 1800usd a mnth and April 2020 is when i will finish pay my credit card debt. (Hopefully interest rates dont screw me over)…. i was on meds, saw a psychiatrist and exercised in November 2019 and was going good but then i lost all motivation and back in the hole i dug for myself….please someone give me advice …thank you..

[Rdy4Chng]

We all have a sad story my friend.
The biggest thing I have learned is that it all starts with one bet. One bet leads to another, leads to another. We lose when we make our first bet. Stay strong.
It will take time to undo what you (me) have done, but hopefully with time this will just be a thing of the past.

[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!

[Steev]

You are the same age as I was when I first looked for help for my gambling problem. What I first learnt was that I was one of those people who could not gamble normally. Even when I won I would just keep gambling until I lost it all.

What advice can I give you? First – read some of the posts on here … the same advice is given to all new quitters – block or ban yourself from places you gamble, limit your access to money, find other things to do and get good support. Can you go back to the psychiatrist who was helpful or access counseling or a support group?

Things only started to change for me when I took my recovery as seriously as I took my gambling. I put all my energy into it and although it wasn’t a straight forward ride (I had a few “slips”) gradually things got better.

If you are feeling depressed and / or suicidal – please talk to someone. There will be specialist helplines in your country for this – please make use of them and get as much support as you can. I wish you well.

[i-did-it]

Hi keegan
Please don’t feel hopeless – I have gambled and lost far more than you but I am on the other side of it now and actually really enjoying life.
You have suffered a lot of loss in the past year. Gambling seems like an escape from this but actually compounds our mental anguish. During the past year gambling may have served a purpose in your life – it allowed you to escape the grief and loss sense of loss you were feeling – however, gambling no longer serves a purpose in your life .

If you have no money try downloading Gamban to your internet devices – They give u a free trial . This will give you a bit of thinking time instead of gambling on automatic pilot.

You are a good person who deserves a good future. We all have blip times in our lives – this was your blip.

An app I find very helpful which is free is called moodfit. It gives you lots of exercises which u can do as often as you wish to help improve your mental wellbeing . Perhaps this app could be your replacement activity for a while .

You can get past this and once we get into the swing of things, recovery happens very quickly- our minds settle. We learn to live on an even keel rather than the constant highs and lows of gambling which so mess with our brain chemistry.

Keep strong my friend . If you feel like hurting yourself , please delay it and talk to befrienders or some one else.

You need to have a little self compassion for all you have been through, and tell yourself you are a good person who just needs a little time to get back on track.

Forgive yourself for the money – no matter how much it is – it’s still only money .
You are more important than any sum of money .
You have a family who need you just as you need them.

Keep strong my friend.

[Seanraj4731]

You discovered this website and typing out your entire situation honesty indicates to you that you are taking steps to recovery.
You got a plan to stay focus right this moment forward. You are in the right direction bro. Continue with this same mindset of staying free from this habit. Be honest with yourself always. Your thoughts feelings urges temptations etc keep it on this forum. I urge you to spend some time on this forum as well reading these powerful testimonials and practical advice.
Be open minded and let it all sink in it helps with rewiring of your mind. Keep your mind focus on your set goals and what you going to achieve from this moment now.
Set realistic goals and writing down your thoughts on how going to accomplished it. It takes one moment at a time to start your journey towards self healing and recovery.
Thank you for sharing man.
Looking forward for your progress

[Keegan23]

Thank you all for the messages i i really appreciate it…i just feel so depressed at times thinking about everything i have lost and have to start over at age 31 especially in comparison with the lives of people my age… absolutely nothing when compared to people my age who are married, bought a house, doing all these things… it really is depressing at times…sigh 

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