Im addicted to gambling.

Engeroosi

Ok, this is the first time I have ever broadcast this, my wife doesnt even know. Yet.

I need help!!!

lmclean100

Hi

Welcome to the DFW board. You've taken the first step by posting on here and that's the hardest one you have to take, well done.

I know it will be hard but you need to tell you wife, she needs to help you with this. Have you considered Gamblers Annoymous, my friends husband went after he admitted to her he had a gambling problem, it wasn't a easy road but with her help and support and tough love, he's on the road to 'recovery'.

I'm not sure about any other advise for you but I'm sure there will be others on here soon who can give you useful advise.

Be strong and remember you're not along, there is always someone here to talk too.

Good luck

globalds

it's good that you have recognised the way your behaving.

The bad news is it is going to be hard and you will need all the help you can find.

I think the match betting should go on hold for a while.....to close to temptation.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon to provide a few more pointers ..but recognising that you have lost control is a huge step.

Are you gambling on line or in bookies ,casino's ?

archer7

GamblingTherapy.org are a good forum for you to check out, there's people there that can relate to what you're going through.

GamCare also provide an online chat and telephone advice/counselling service.

Engeroosi

online on football, any games, and then i just end up chasing it. vicious circle. Always seems to be just that one goal that happens late on to mak me lose, which makes it more frustrating so I bet again thinking it wont happen again.

jamespir

good that youve admitted it im not sure how people keep it from their partners theres not a penny in my house my missus dont know about

padington

Engeroosi wrote: »

online on football, any games, and then i just end up chasing it. vicious circle. Always seems to be just that one goal that happens late on to mak me lose, which makes it more frustrating so I bet again thinking it wont happen again.

You need to self exclude yourself from every online gambling website and gambling place you have ever attended. They are all very familiar with this process and you will then be free from temptation from your usual haunts.

This is the most important step you can take. Don't fool yourself though and try to leave the option open thinking daft thoughts like you might need to keep the option open for a special event. Draw the line in the sand, no more gambling ever. This includes poker at friends houses. Become one of those people that say 'I'm dont gamble but if i did' ...

Once you've self excluded yourself give yourself a pat on the back. Then consider your triggers eg drinking, being bored etc and try to make strategies to ensure your triggers are removed or minimised from triggering you again.

Now tell someone very close to you that you can trust and discuss telling all the other important people in your life as well as joining a self help group. You have lived a bit of a lie, stop living it now.

Dont see this process as showing weakness, it is showing strength, loosing a weeks wages in a couple of hours is showing weakness.

This could all be done in a weekend if you genuinely take these steps you will have won 80% of the battle and allow yourself a little celebration but nothing involving your triggers.

Then make sure you take up new hobby's to fill the time you would have spent and try to get down to a GA group every week, there will be people there that will need your help.

Its not actually hard at all if you take these steps but its incredibly hard if your don't, so dont procrastinate start phoning up your most used gambling websites and politely request they self exclude you for 5 years minimum. Whilst you're at it ask them how much you have lost in your time with them, they will share that info and the answers might spur you on. If its bookies you place your bets with do the same but take ID so they can put you in the system and self exclude yourself at every bookies you have ever been in.

If you have any more energy left campaign for a single website where you can exclude yourself from every gambling space available to UK citizens. Bookies really should only take bets with a special ID card that only works if the punter has never self excluded. Maybe one day ...

globalds

Engeroosi wrote: »

online on football, any games, and then i just end up chasing it. vicious circle. Always seems to be just that one goal that happens late on to mak me lose, which makes it more frustrating so I bet again thinking it wont happen again.

It's time to start closing out accounts ..
Make it as hard as possible to gamble ..there will come a point ,probably the next morning, when you will thank yourself.

I would say , hard as it sounds you need to get your wife on board.

What you need is another opinion for the decisions your making ...Like any woman she will be more than happy to tell you that you are fighting a losing cause and to cut your loses..:)

I have been forced to limit myself at a few on-line casino's ...(2nd stage of match betting is casino bagging) seems my self control is not quite what I thought it was.

dark^knight

Think about where you want to get to, i.e. a life without gambling and then think about how good that will make you feel.

Now think about the steps you need to take to get there. This may require some research and help.

Then take one day at a time and stay positive. You'll get there!

handyman123_2

Hi Mate, seems like you have had a Light Bulb Moment. You could try GA
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
There for the Grace of God (or whatever you believe in) go all of us. I wouldn't even know how to put a bet on but I have 3 kids who have a problem, 2 who admit and one who doesn't.

What I really want to say is well done for your post, Help, Support and advise are here for you. We are not trained advisors and the like, but we care about people. An ear that will listen and won't get critical is often all we need to sort things out.

Keep us posted on your journey.

If you need someone to unload on, I'm sure you will find a mate or 2 here.

Regards to you and yours, Handy.

Engeroosi

Many many thanks for everyone who has posted. I take all your points, hints and tips on board. I have just this minute excluded myself from my betting account for 5 years and also requested an amount lost balance, which I am scared to find out. Hopefully this will be what I need to make me realise gambling is not fun or a way to make money.

I am currently away from home with work and get home Wed, will let the wife know the good and the bad news.