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any light at the end of the tunnel?
#1
Hi all, I'm new to this forum or any forum for that matter. I'm 24 grew up in a family where my father gambled once a week controlled but i guess this introduced to me to the whole experience and led to me bet from a young age. It was never really a problem until i went to university and found i had to much spare time and overdrafts and credit cards being thrown at me from the banks!! I developed a serious gambling addiction and which cost me friends, my girlfriend and i believe the trust of my family to this day when they found out.

It got so bad i had to declare my self bankrupt as there was no possible way of paying off my debts. I sought counselling which helped the problem for a while and moved back in with my mum and dad who i gave control of my finances.

Things improved briefly but lately i feel myself falling back into the old routine. I just have the one bank account which my wages get paid in to and so cant loose more than what i earn but my life feels totally pointless as i lose all my money a few days after pay day and then struggle borrowing until the end of the month when i pay off my debts and then seem to continue the cycle again..

I feel myself driving away all the people who love me and becoming more and more of a recluse and am seriously questionning now whether i can ever stop this. I dont feel i can get involved in any relationship as i never have any money despite having a good job and dont want to let people down as i have others in the past.

I make friends easily,girlfriends, have family that love me and yet seem intent on destroying my life.. Just yesterday i was having a great day out with friends, then left the pub to go and gamble and lost all the money i had on me playing roullette in the bookmakers and then trudged home leaving everyone wondering where id gone...

Sorry to chat on and bore you just dont know what to do anymore, really DO NOT KNOW what to do, any help would be appreciated
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#2
hi mate,just read your story.sounds like you are at a crossroad.you have now two choices,to stop or live yhe life of misery,because that is what gambling is.i gambled almost twenty years.i lost almost everything mate including my sanity.ive gone to g a twice now having and a couple of slips.if you want to stop,and i belive you do try and maintain a meeting it really is the only way and phone lines.there is a saying in g a.if you need a meeting walk to one,if you dont need a meeting run to one.i wish you god speed my friend and a bet free future.red
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#3
Hi Ricey, If you want to stop gambling and living a life of misery and isolation which most gamblers do you need to sit back and really ask yourself what you want out of this life and because you are so young you are likely to have many more years in front of you. Give yourself a chance and as far as I am concerned the only thing that every worked for me was going to a GA meeting in a room full of people who have 'walked the walk' and can 'talk the talk' a room full of good people who have one thing in common - compulsive gambling.
If you continue to gamble you will only isolate yourself more until you are really alone - a very sad life to live.
Get along to one meeting and come back here and tell us what you think
Best Wishes
Helen
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#4
Hi Ricey84

The advice that was given to you by Helen is spot on.
If you want to live a life where you are just subsisting day to day with no relief from worry, then continue gambling.
If you want to live life normally, then give the gambling away.
Some people can gamble 20 dollars a week and have a great time. We, the Compulsive Gamblers can't stop.
This is our addiction. We have to own it, admit it it, and ask for/seek the help we need to overcome it.
I am 52 years old, paying off six credit cards, struggling with bills, a house that is mortgaged to the hilt etc.

You do not want to be me when you reach my age. After working for 38 years I have nothing to show for it,
and not much to look forward to.

BUT...am I happy? Yes.

WHY? I am not gambling, I am sleeping well for the first time in years, I am rediscovering what I have missed
out on thru gambling.

Most importantly, I like myself again. I am a better person. I am the person I once was.

Try GA. They are a great bunch of people...just like you.

Best wishes
Roy (Brissy OZ)
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