Welcome. Everything said during this chat will be treated in the strictest confidence.<div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  How can I help?<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Hi, I’m struggling with my gambling addiction. I don’t know what I should do<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Have you been to gamblers anonymous before?<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  This is my first time<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Would you be willing to go to a meeting in your area<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  I would. I checked online before contacting you but the website I visited said there were no results <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Where is it you stay?<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Scottish Borders, Berwickshire <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  I could get someone to contact you if you give me your number <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  I know your website says this is all in strict confidence but I feel uneasy and not sure if I can share what I want to say. Bottom line is, I’m deeply ashamed. I paranoid that you (the person who’s chatting to me) will think I’m just another idiot gambler and doesn’t really care what I say. I know that sounds very rude and judgmental but I’m having a really low day. <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  My number is 07955592634<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Hi Amy I have been exactly where you are just now. I definitely don’t think you are an idiot, I think you very brave for taking this huge step<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  I gambled all my wages nearly every month for years and thought there was no hope but now nearly 7 year’s gambling free so miracles definitely happen <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  That’s kind of you to say. I was diagnosed with ADHD and recurrent depressive disorder last year. I have been gambling for years and at the start of 2022 I was at my peak. I racked up thousands and thousands of pounds worth of debt. I was lucky enough to be able to share this with my psychiatrist who signposted me to CAB and they helped me to get on top of things. The last few months, I have been buying scratch cards and it’s getting really bad. I don’t know what to do to stop myself and I’m too ashamed to tell my psychiatrist<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Pay day was on the 14th, I have hardly any money left because I keep buying things out of impulse and buying multiple scratch cards a day. I don’t get paid again until 14th April and I don’t know what I’m going to do <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Liz has offered to give you a call if that ok with you<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  When would that be?<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  When it suits you<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Would it be ok if she called me tomorrow at some point? If I give a time, I will not sleep tonight and will be anxious all day tomorrow. It’s better for me if it’s an unorganised call.. I don’t want to be a pain but that’s ADHD making me a mess over a phone call!! I thankfully have an appointment with my psychiatrist tomorrow at 12 so anytime before then or after 2pm would be much appreciated <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  No problem will let her know. I hope you get on ok and feel a wee bit better <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Thank you very much. I really appreciate you chatting to me and arranging that. I feel better now I’ve got that off my chest. <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Brilliant, one of our motto’s is a day at a time. Is there anything else you want to ask <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Just one thing if you don’t mind- how did you manage to stop? I did online gambling for years and since I stopped that i had a few months of no gambling and then realised that scratch cards are available to me everywhere. There’s no gamstop or someone telling me I can’t buy them.<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  I was fortunate, I was beat by the gambling and ready to stop. The meetings have been life saving no one judges you and always someone that you can resonate with <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Sounds good. Hopefully I can get back on track. Thanks again<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  Just found out there is a meeting in Kelso Thursday night if that anywhere near you<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Brilliant, thank you. It’s about 40mins away but definitely doable <br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>Amy</strong> :  Do you know where it is?<br></div><div style='font-size:16px';><strong>David M.</strong> :  The parish of Kelso north &amp; Edna 42 bowmont st td5 7th<br></div><br>== This Chat Has Been Closed ==<br>Press "Exit Chat" to return to homepage.