Gambling

[funky_seagull]

Hi I haven't been on here for a while. I have been through one of the most difficult times of my life. Just wanted to share what I've been through in the hope it may help someone. My gambling got out of control and I lost everything. I got into serious debt I couldn't pay back. I may end up being made bankrupt. As you can imagine this has put incredible strain on my relationship with my wife. To the point we may end up splitting up, this is not good because I have a son who will be the one who suffers the most because of this. At the moment I am afraid to answer the door in case it is the bailiffs, and I am constantly hassled by phonecalls and letters to pay what I owe. I am not saying gambling is evil. If you can be in control then it is a bit of fun. But it was wrong for me and got to the stage where it wasn't fun anymore. It became hell. I have an addictive personality and it is my own stupid fault I got into this mess, and I have only myself to blame. I have had a nervous breakdown because of this and only just starting to recover. I wanted to post this because if there is someone struggling with gambling like I was, I am hoping this message will help them stop. I have hit rockbottom and may end up not just being bankrupt but losing my family as well. This is the reality of what can happen if a gambling problem is not stopped. If anyone is reading this and feels they may have a gambling problem. Please go and get help. Don't end up with nothing and destroying your life, like I have. It is the most horrible feeling, to know you lost everything. You can't win, the house edge is against you. If like me you can't stay in control then stop before it is too late. I really hate myself for what I've done.

[jas2587]

Funky_Seagull I am sorry that the gambling bug got a hold of you this bad I would hope that you are going to counsaling (sp) for Gambling an one for putting your family back together
I do hope an will say a prayer that all turns out fot you


Good Luck an Thoughts are with you

Cindy

[Stovetopp]

Hi Funky_seagull

I amvery sorry to hear of your predicament....I don't know your age but remember you still have your whole life ahead of you. Just never look back , and in looking forward only do positive things and pray God, try to learn from your mistakes of the past.

You would be surprised how things changes in life. S*it does happenbut the key is how to cope with misfortune Just get your "support" group behind you.

[SlotMonster]

I can't even say a word
And of cource I hope you will recover from your losses and all will be ok with you and your family! Do you still have a job or any other source of income?
Take care, man!

[love2winalot]

Hiya: It takes Balls to post what you just did.....

Hating your self will only make things worse. Whats done is done. Bankruptcy is not the end of the world. Just ask the millions who have done it. Your marriage is still salvageable. How do i know this? Because, if she really wanted to leave you, would she not have done so already? All you have to do is eliminate the reasons she would want to leave, and reinfore the reasons you got married in the first place.

If you have an addictive personality, then use it to become addicted to saving your marriage..........Nothing else matters, and nothing else hurts as much if you fail. I know, i had it happen to me, "not because of gambling", 24 years ago when i lost my wife, and 3 kids.

Stuff happens. Everyone gets knocked down once in a while, and some more than others, BUT THE ONES THAT KEEP GETTING BACK UP, are the ones that end up Winning in the game of life. Not because they are better than anyone else, but because they simply refused to Lose. Good luck to you.

[missmichelle]

Thanks for posting this in the hopes that it will stop someone from going down that same road. All my good thoughts are with you and your wife, that you may get through this together.

Michelle

[RedAndi]

Seagull you advise people with a problem to go get help, I hope you yourself have done the same.
That you say you hate yourself both worries me and resonates. I have had times when I felt exactly the same as you, so I know what you are dealing with. The good thing is it sounds like you know now what has to be done and can start picking up the pieces and rebuilding. I wish you very well and hope you can stay strong to get through this.

Thank you for your post.

[dominique]

Thanks for the post, seagull, and all the best to you!

Here is an excerpt from my site that I have gotten good feedback on:

Some of the warning signals of a destructive gambling habit are:
You spend increasing amounts of time gambling
You spend increasing amounts of money gambling
You are trying to "win your money back", you are chasing your losses
You are trying to hide your activities from others
Your gambling interferes with work
Your gambling interferes with your social life
If any of the above points apply to you, you should stop gambling.


Some of the steps to take to help you stop:
Tell all the casinos where you have played to close your accounts. This applies both online and offline.
Open a new email account, tell your friends and those businesses you want to do business with about it, and close your old email account.
Start a new hobby. You need to replace the destructive habit with a constructive one.
Get help!!! Below you will find a list of places that will help you.


Here are links to organizations that provide help to problem gamblers:


http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
http://www.gam-anon.org/
http://www.gamcare.org.uk/
http://www.gamblock.com/ blocks access to online Gambling

I hope anyone who finds temselves in a downhill gambling spiral will contact the above and get help.

[nisosbar]

Hi - I am very sad that this happened to you, but I am, at the same time, glad and encouraged that you could come here and share your experience. It may help others to avoid this outcome.

And no matter how bad things may seem right now, I've had days and periods in my life like that, and things ALWAYS got better. Please get counseling if you aren't getting any now, and vow to try to stay away from gambling.

Best wishes to you and your family, and let us know how things go. I would love to hear.

[slotjunkie]

Hi I haven't been on here for a while. I have been through one of the most difficult times of my life. Just wanted to share what I've been through in the hope it may help someone. My gambling got out of control and I lost everything. I got into serious debt I couldn't pay back. I may end up being made bankrupt. As you can imagine this has put incredible strain on my relationship with my wife. To the point we may end up splitting up, this is not good because I have a son who will be the one who suffers the most because of this. At the moment I am afraid to answer the door in case it is the bailiffs, and I am constantly hassled by phonecalls and letters to pay what I owe. I am not saying gambling is evil. If you can be in control then it is a bit of fun. But it was wrong for me and got to the stage where it wasn't fun anymore. It became hell. I have an addictive personality and it is my own stupid fault I got into this mess, and I have only myself to blame. I have had a nervous breakdown because of this and only just starting to recover. I wanted to post this because if there is someone struggling with gambling like I was, I am hoping this message will help them stop. I have hit rockbottom and may end up not just being bankrupt but losing my family as well. This is the reality of what can happen if a gambling problem is not stopped. If anyone is reading this and feels they may have a gambling problem. Please go and get help. Don't end up with nothing and destroying your life, like I have. It is the most horrible feeling, to know you lost everything. You can't win, the house edge is against you. If like me you can't stay in control then stop before it is too late. I really hate myself for what I've done.

I applaud you for coming forth with such painfully personal information! I am very sorry that it got so bad for you, but am happy to hear that you are taking steps to get your life back on track. I pray that your wife/family has mercy on you and forgive you and walk with you on your journey to recovery. I promise you, your testimony has helped someone! God Bless you and good luck!