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i am an addict
#1
Hi my name is deano.

Over the last few months I have been increasingly gambling on horses, dogs, football slot machines,on line and the lottery.

My stakes have gradually increased over time spending every penny
chasing the "one" that would get me out of trouble.

I never win why do I do it??????

I thought I could control my gambling.
I thought I could put things right.
The truth is "I can't".

I have a very respectful job which I absolutely love.

However I have abused the trust of those who believe in me, people I respect enormously by using their money to fund my need to gamble.

The same people that have now given me the support to come to terms with my addiction and the opportunity to seek the help and advice I desperately need.

I am married I have teenage children.

My wife knew nothing of my actions I would go to different betting shops on my
days off while she was at work spending all day there gambling on every race until I lost everything.

I would gamble on line but not so often, it does not compare to being with others
the feeling of being involved in the "action" and receiving an immediate payout.

I could say boredom was the cause but the reality is that the thrill of the win
was the real reason.

Why? I never won big sums,in fact I never win.

I gamble in "binges" not every day that is why I have refused to accept until now
that I have a problem.

I have now confessed all to my wife who is totally distraught by what I have been doing however she has vowed to help me.

If my wife had not told me how much she loved me and vowed to stand by and support me then I know that I would not be writing this now as I could see only
one option.

I have begun seeking help from professional people however I believe
the only way I can get the help I really need is from people that have been through this experience.

I hope and pray I can repay the faith and support my family friends & collegues are prepared to offer in dealing with this.

I will be attending my first meeting next week in the london area.

I finally confess I am an addict.
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#2
Hi Deano

I am a Compulsive Gambler gamble free 12 months) from in Brissy, Australia.
Firstly, hope your first meeting goes well. Try to be openminded about what you hear.
You will hear people refer to a "higher power". This does not refer to a God of any ilk.
GA is not religious in any sense of the word. Don't be scared off by what some people see as a religious fellowship.

This first meeting might seem very strange to you. Give it a chance. I would recommend you go to at least 4 meetings during the month. By then you will have a pretty good idea what the GA meeting is all about.

Boredom can be a trigger to a lot of people to gamble. For myself, that was the only trigger. I became very lazy, lost interest in doing anything, and thus gambled to fill in my day. it was not uncommon for me to gamble for 8-10 hours per day 6-7 days per week. No wonder I lost. <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarrassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

I am happy <!-- sBig Grin --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt="Big Grin" title="Very Happy" /><!-- sBig Grin --> you have revealed to your wife your problem. Please make sure that you have told her of all debts you have due to gambling. If you haven't already done so, tell her ASAP. This is extremely important for the trust side of your relationship. Your wife will have to "learn" to trust you again. This is step one in that process.

Enuf from me . The GA meeting will inform you of a lot more helpful advice.

Best wishes
Roy
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#3
Hi Roy

Thanks for your kind words and advice.

I have now told my wife everything.

She is still devasted but intends to be extremely supportive.

My employers have also been wonderful and supportive to me even though I do not merit or deserve their faith and support.

I am determined to overcome my problems and do now realize that I can only achieve that with the help, love and support of others.

I know that my first meeting will be extremely difficult for me but I know now that I am not alone.

I am not a religious person but I do hope and pray that I can conquer my problems
and justify the support of all those around me.

Deano
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#4
Hi Deano

You have done the hard part believe me in admitting you have a gambling problem because us gamblers dont like admitting anyhing do we !!!

We are all in the same boat and all could go out and gamble tomorrow if we wish !! i will never gamble again as it has ruined my life at the moment as i have separated from my wife and kids at the moment due to gambling, and this is the second time i have put her through this and she does not know if she can ever trust me again becasuse of all the lies and deciet i have told her.

I first went to GA 5 1/2 years and it does really work but you have to want it to work and must attend as many meetings as possible as last time after 18 months i stopped attending GA as i thought i had it beat and still stayed of a bet for a while then i had a fall and it all spiralled out of control and has ended up a right mess.

So my advice is attend meetings as often as you can and take it one day at a time !!

I am now 7 weeks off a bet and life is so much better not gambling, but i might of lost everything else i had !!

Cheers

Darren
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