Gambling

Ali2405

Okay, so I don't know what to do or where to start! I'm completely depressed over my gambling.. I win big amounts of money sometimes, but more that defo end up loosing it all!! I don't know why I can't stop! Just today I lost an entire months wages in one day, I'm now completely broke for the month! What can I do?

Oranage2

Ali2405 wrote: »

Okay, so I don't know what to do or where to start! I'm completely depressed over my gambling.. I win big amounts of money sometimes, but more that defo end up loosing it all!! I don't know why I can't stop! Just today I lost an entire months wages in one day, I'm now completely broke for the month! What can I do?

I know a lot of people with gambling addictions, you probably should seek professional help. If you don't then you should really avoid casinos, bookies etc, just straight up avoid them, don't go in, don't check results don't just place '1' bet. You'll find yourself a lot happier.

bp

I think you can tell the websites you have a problem and they will block you. You should seek professional assistance too.

It is a tough road to walk

Ursus Horribilis

All I can do is echo what the others have said. You need to seek professional help as soon as possible. Gambling's an addiction and as you've discovered, losing large sums of money isn't stopping you from going back for more. There's a national gambling helpline: 1800 753 753. Maybe picking up the phone today and giving them a call would help. It's a positive step and has to be better than beating yourself up about losing a months' wages. Good luck

L.Jenkins

Oranage2 wrote: »

I know a lot of people with gambling addictions, you probably should seek professional help. If you don't then you should really avoid casinos, bookies etc, just straight up avoid them, don't go in, don't check results don't just place '1' bet. You'll find yourself a lot happier.

It's very easy to say, don't go in and don't bet. An addiction will require time and counselling to come out the other side of. http://www.gamblersanonymous.ie/ I can imagine would be a place to start seeking help.

ArtyC

You can go into your bookies, all of them!! Not just one company--- With a passport photo of yourself and Id. Ask for a self exclusion form and full it out straight there and then.

Ditto with online accounts. Do it now while you've recognised the problem.

Good luck and Make steps

SoupMonster

30 years ago I was in your position. I lost all my wages, couldn't pay rent, lived on starvation rations, slept rough on a weekend to avoid my flatmates. This went on for about 4 months.

They figured out what was going on, staged an intervention and insisted I go to Gamblers Anonymous meeting. I went to exactly one meeting. There were people there who told about doing the "Liffey Walk", walking alongside the river trying to convince themselves to jump in and end it all. It was a real eye-opener for me.

I cut out all gambling. I haven't gambled on 30 years. I've been in casinos when dragged along but just wait around at the bar, I don't buy lottery tickets, bet on the Grand National, nothing.

When people ask, I say I was addicted to gambling when I was younger. I feel no shame in saying this and no one has ever tried to shame me. Most don't understand and just accept that I will not gamble. Generally people seem sceptical that gambling is a real addiction.

This works for me because I can avoid having to explain what it feels like to have absolutely no self-control and everything that goes along with that. Because people don't understand gambling addiction, there is little stigma, and I am just regarded as the slightly odd guy who never bets.

My advice.
- Tell someone who is close to you, family, friend, flatmate, anyone.
- Tell them you need support, don't try to do this alone.
- Go to Gamblers Anonymous (ask your friend to make sure you do), realise you are not the only one with this problem.
- Try to understand that this is a real addiction and a real problem that is never going to go away but can be overcome.
- I didn't follow the 12 steps, but I fully embraced telling people that I have a gambling problem and being completely open about it.
- As others have said, register yourself as a problem gambler with whatever website/bookie you use.
- Cut out gambling completely. Don't even accept a $1 bet on a football game.

Do not be afraid to enlist the help of a friend or colleague, do not think of it as an imposition. This will be the person that changes your life and will become one of the best friends you ever had, even if they don't actually know it.

Ali2405

Thank you all so much! I don't feel comfortable in telling anyone at the minute, for fear of being embarrassed or being judged! For now I'll have to trust that I have enough intelligence to stay away from and realise that the bookie always win!

petes

Ali2405 wrote: »

Thank you all so much! I don't feel comfortable in telling anyone at the minute, for fear of being embarrassed or being judged! For now I'll have to trust that I have enough intelligence to stay away from and realise that the bookie always win!

It doesn't really work like that though. Having enough intelligence to know something is bad for you doesn't stop you doing it especially if it's an addiction.

Losing an entire months wages in one day would suggest it's an addiction so you would be better to try and get some help.

Ursus Horribilis

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I think you're in denial and that you've let yourself off too lightly. You weren't able to stop before this. What makes you think you'll be able to resist from now on? You've like someone whose kitchen is on fire but who has just shut the door on the flames and pretended that there's nothing to see.

There's something wrong if you're capable of frittering away a month's wages and not being able to stop . I dabble a bit in online gambling but have no problem whatsoever walking away. I work on the basis that you should only gamble what you're prepared to lose. In my case it's feck all really. I'd have to be forced at gunpoint to bet a day's wages, let alone a month's.