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It's all gone too far
#1
Hi there,

I am a bloke in his 20s and i have gambled since i was 16, started on scratch cards, fruit machines and then once i was old enough i moved onto going to the bookies. I have gambled now for 6 years and it seems to be getting worse, as i use gambling as am way to escape the boredom of my life. Today I have hit an all time low, where i have gambled away from rent money and i have realised that it's gone too far. I will go to the bookies most days after work, often not leaving until i lose everything i have. In the past year i have started gambling online, so i am basically always gambling. Knowone knows of how bad my addiction is, i don't feel i can tell anyone as i feel it makes me look week. I have found gambling is wrecking my social life as i will play fruit machines in nightclubs when everyone else is enjoying themselves. My job is minimum wage and i am trying to save as i want to move to australia as i think i need to start a new life and hopefully that will excite me and replace the need to gamble. I have read the thoughts of others and i tihnk going to the meetings is probably my best option of escaping. I can't go for another month though as I don't get paid and i need to find the rent money before i think about paying for train fares. Any opinions on my situation or help and i would be grateful
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#2
Hi wasitallworthit

I think boredom was one of the reasons that I turned to gambling.
"Cheap entertainment" I thought <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarrassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

There is a lot of FREE entertainment available if you want it. I am 52 so I am not in your age bracket, but for me, I have rediscovered my love for reading, gardening,my German Shepherd, bike riding, and nature in general. Surely there must be something that you can find that can amuse you !

Re GA. Speaking from my own experience, I would say that without GA, I would not be here today.
The support/fellowship available from those meetings is lifesaving, and life changing!

The other thing is that we underestimate our families. Sure, some people have been disowned from their own families because of this addiction, BUT a lot of gamblers have received enormous support from their families as well. Give your family a chance to help you, by admitting to them that you have a problem AND you are looking at the avenues available o you to help overcome this addiction.

The longer you put off going to GA, the less remorseful you are going to feel. Strike while the iron is hot. While you are still feeling this low. Have you got someone who can possibly drive you to your nearest GA?

I am in Brisbane, Australia... yes a nice place. If you think that a change of scenery will help you overcome this addcition however, I think you would be wrong. The extra stress involved in such a big move could pressure you into more, & heavier gambling.

Get your gambling under control before you think of such a drastic change.

Best wishes
Roy
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