[Zlawrence]

Well… Basically, I am not a big gambler. I tend to put on football bets from time to time, where mostly I lose (like most of us) but on the odd occasion, I win. This is where I enjoy the fun from gambling.

I have had a few big losses, and these have all came in the bookies, mainly playing roulette, and also at the casino. I normally go with friends and it is for fun. Just after I stopped today, I have lost £350 in three days, I have never been so frustrated with myself. I don’t earn big money, but I earn enough to do what I want when I want, but if I lose gambling this affects that, it’s all I can think about. I am 24, single and very independent, my biggest joy is my freedom. Now I have had to cancel plans, for the next two weeks I will be down and overthinking everything.

I wouldn’t say I am addicted to gambling, but I have an addictive personality, once I start with something, i get so focused on it its all I can think about. Whether that’s gambling, a girl I like, a new car, a PlayStation game. I just wish I could say that about saving money…

I am moving out next month, this could of gone a long way towards furniture… This is another reason why I’m frustrated. I lost £200, then yesterday £40, and today i had a day off work, all I could think about was making that money back. I knew I was going to do it, I pictured myself walking into the bookies losing money, and coming out more frustrated, and that’s exactly what I did, another £110. I know this is peanuts compared to some of the losses on here, but whenever I have disposal expenditure, I feel like it’s nothing to gamble it away.. (This £350 wasn’t disposable)

I wanted to write on here just to get some opinions from others, I have lost £200 + I’d say on 10 occasions. The thrill of winning is over within seconds, but the frustration of losing affects me for a long time. I don’t gamble until all my money is gone but I leave myself with the minimal I need to get my through the month (like I have this month)

I really don’t know if I want to quit completely, all of my friends gamble, some worse than me by a long shot. Football accumulators are placed every weekend, I don’t know if I want to miss out on that fun factor. I really really don’t want any more big losses, ever. I can’t justify spending money now for the rest of the month either, going to the shop and spending say £10-20 will frustrate me and I will think about the money I’ve lost. If anyone could give me some feedback on just to brighten the current mindset I have up that would be great.

[charles]

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Hello Zlawrence 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!

[charles]

Hi Zlawrence and welcome to the Forum, well done on looking for help.

Have you read some of the otehr stiries here? I expect you will see a lot of things that you can relate to.

You sound unsure as to whether you are a gamblign addict. The 20 Questions they have on teh GA website can help you make your mind up on that. here is a link:

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/20-questions

The questions are relevant whether or not you ever decided that GA was for you.

As you will see in the forums, if gambling is a problem then it tends to be progressive in nature, things get gradually worse. So it may be that you have to decide whether you want to take action now…. or wait till things get worse.

I can tell you that you can stop gambling, if you want to “control” your gambling then I can’t tell you how to do that. I guess that if I knew how then I would still be doing it myself!.

It doesn’t matter what your friends do/don’t do. If they are “worse than you” or not, you need to do what is best for YOU.

I’d say that some of the things you have said above indicate at least the beginnning of a problem, check out those questions and let us know how you score.

I am in the groups here for the next 2 1/2 hours or so, maybe pop in for a chat.

[Zlawrence]

Today I budgeted my money out to last me two weeks, I had a thought in my head, I could probably leave myself with what I would normally spend through these two weeks by budgeting my money.

Obviously this misses the point of throwing my money away, but I am feeling positive that I won’t gamble. What does gambling actually achieve? The feeling while playing is nerves of losing, not the thrill of winning anymore.

Then I was thinking, the odd £100-£250 from a £5-£10 bet, which come in maybe once every two months (the fun factor I get from gambling) So the stakes I place pretty much equal them self out, & then when I win I spend it like its free money, then lose my own money again.

Can gambling be a hobby? A interest? Or does it always lead to the same path for people who have lost big sums of money.

There is also one thing that I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop, that’s poker with friends. We play for £10ish, it’s a few beers and a social thing. Yes this is gambling, but I could spend £10 on meal or the cinema, it would last the same amount of time, and gambling with friends, large sums of money won’t be lost. hmmmm it sounds like I’m trying to justify this…

Anyway I’m going to stay away from the bookies, not place any football bets and budget my money.. That’s the plans for the rest of Jan anyway. Hopefully I can stick to it!!!

[Author]

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