Gambling / debt free ?

Bremain

Hi all,

I'd appreciate if you could take couple minutes to read this as I am in big need of help, and i have hit a brick wall.

Firstly, small background about myself, I'm 26, male, now living at home after splitting with my fianc!.
I have a job which pays £24k a year

So, I am a gambler, let's call myself an addict as I gamble daily and lose control very easily, it's been a problem for a couple years, but I've always extended overdraft, got loans, cards to cover up my losses.
Now I have reached the inevitable situation, I have 6 pay day loans, 2 (small credit) cards, 3.5k overdraft, and £0 next to my name.
I was trying again and again for a loan to consolidate all my pay day loans, and pay off monthly off a few years, as I can't afford them all, so in a whole where I will have miss payments etc.

I suffer major anxiety and this I believe is why I turn to gambling as it takes me off reality and stops me worrying and feeling trapped within myself.

Please advise me, is there any company or anything that can help me. I'm good for a loan to consolidate my pay day loans but obviously as you'll see above, rightly so, no companies would dare lend me a penny it seems.

Thanks.

DCFC79

Stop looking/applying for loans as you won't get them.

Contact gamblers annon mouse and 1 of the debt charities, step change is 1 but there are others you can call, here's some

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/debt-advice-locator

You can call as many debt charities as you like until you find 1 your happy with. Theres some out ther who charge a monthly fee so choose 1 that's free which I believe they all are on the link

This link might be useful

http://www.money.co.uk/guides/how-to-get-free-debt-help.htm

The charities might be all closed till Monday but you can make a start on your bills, spending, complete an SOA.

Muhren

First well done, you have made the first step by seeking advice.

Before you can sort your financial problems out you simple have to stop gambling. That is coming from someone who has been there.

If you gamble in betting shops you need to self exclude, if online put a block on your computer, I use k9 but there are others (you will need someone you trust to put a password in for you) get rid of your phone and get one that you cannot access the internet on.

I would also recommend getting yourself along to the next local gamblers anonymous meeting. You can find your closest one on the website.

As mentioned above speak to one of the debt charities who will be able to adise your best course of action, but like I said you need to stop gambling before worrying about your finances too much.

All the best in beating this, keep posting and asking questions. I know you can overcome this.

Bremain

Thank you for the reply and assistance in links, going forward.

I find it hard to talk to people (it kind of, foolishly, eliminates my ability to attend such things as GA) it's all to do with my anxiety. I'm an outgoing guy who when out of his comfort zone, becomes quiet as a mouse and it's tough.

Thing is, I've realised my gambling issues for so long now and it worries me I haven't acted on it. I know it's real, I just can't stop it.
I know the irony of me asking for help here is that the only person that can help me is typing this out. But it gets to write it on a forum, do you think seeing a GP about issues is a start? Or a waste of my/NHS time?

Cheers

scaredy_cat

contact Gamcare, they offer free counselling for gamblers and also their affected others - husband/wife/partners, and other family members.

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/

you have done the hardest step - acknowledging that the gambling is a problem.

Pound

All bookies have a self-exclude option and you should spend an evening going through every betting account you have and exclude yourself for a while. Betting shops also have leaflets that tell you how to self-exclude from an entire area...

Huskyrunner

you mention you have major anxiety and thats why you gamble.

Do you have anything too help re this ie seeing your gp, medication??

I would go see your gp they can maybe prescribe something too help with your anxiety, its all gunna be interlinked.

HappyMJ

Bremain wrote: »

Thank you for the reply and assistance in links, going forward.

I find it hard to talk to people (it kind of, foolishly, eliminates my ability to attend such things as GA) it's all to do with my anxiety. I'm an outgoing guy who when out of his comfort zone, becomes quiet as a mouse and it's tough.

Thing is, I've realised my gambling issues for so long now and it worries me I haven't acted on it. I know it's real, I just can't stop it.
I know the irony of me asking for help here is that the only person that can help me is typing this out. But it gets to write it on a forum, do you think seeing a GP about issues is a start? Or a waste of my/NHS time?

Cheers

Maybe...maybe not. It's a 10 minute GP consultation. They won't cure it there and then but they will refer you to to right people who will help. They'll go through some mental health questions to see if you're got underlying depression/anxiety issues which can help get you redirected to the right people.