Bianca is someone who experienced harms from gambling, and now users her platform to spread awareness.
Listen to how her journey with gambling harms started.
Support is real, it’s free, it’s confidential & it’s closer than you think.
@GambleAwareGB ’s service finder can help you find free advice & support in your local area.
Please do not suffer in silence. ❤️
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This is something that I’ve not opened up a lot about before, it’s something I mentioned in passing on one of my podcasts a year ago and was blown away by the response of how many people have struggled with the same problem…gambling 😔
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Around 21 years old, after lots of nights out, me and the boys used to spend a lot of time drinking in late night casinos. It started off as a social thing having the odd gamble on the roulette tables, but as time went by, I quickly found myself in a really unhealthy cycle of chasing wins and not being able to deal with the losses 🔁💔
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It got to the point as a young student I would empty my bank account that night and find myself waiting outside the bookies/casinos first thing in the morning, waiting for them to open 😰
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The problem got massively out of hand with me borrowing thousands of pounds from friends and family, it became my dark secret that I felt I couldn’t tell anyone about 🗣️✋
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It wasn’t until I lost EVERYTHING and got myself into a serious amount of debt that I finally opened up to my big brother Ryan and it was in that moment that EVERYTHING changed.
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For the first time in a months I wasn’t on my own and my gambling addiction wasn’t a secret. Now that I finally had the courage to tell someone who cared about me we could work on solutions together 🙏
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I’ve teamed up with GambleAware to break down the stigma around gambling and to encourage people to open up. For me this was just a short period in my journey, but I know there’s a lot of people still struggling with this addiction, and I want to be one of the people to say, you’re not alone and there’s lots of services and tools out there to help 🛠️🙌💫
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You can access information and free, confidential support by searching GambleAware ❤️
@begambleawaregb
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If you're experiencing gambling harm, please know you're not alone and there's support services out there for you.
If you need someone to speak to during this period, please contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133
Gambling advertising is everywhere - and without proper regulation, young people cannot escape it. If you’re struggling with gambling harms, check out @gambleawaregb for free and anonymous support. #GambleAware #ad
What started small nearly cost me everything. If gambling feels like it’s taking over, you don’t have to deal with it alone.
You can get free support through @gambleawaregb Service Finder – see the link in my story.
Thank you, @nashi5293 , for sharing your story, we know it can be hard to step into recovery, let alone to share your story!
Research shows how some neurodivergent people, such as those with ADHD or autism, may have an increased likelihood of experiencing gambling harms.
But no matter how you're feeling or how you're affected, we can help
If you're experiencing harms from gambling, there's a number of ways to access support, including using tools to manage your gambling activity.
Our GambleAware Support Tool can help you reduce, quit or stay gamble-free. We can help, no matter where you are in your journey.
Download the app today!
Seeking support may feel scary but it could be just the thing you need.
If you're worried about you own or someone else's gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline 24/7 via our live chat or on 0808 8020 133.
Gambling harm can go unnoticed for an extended period of time, so it's important to educate ourselves on the implications it could have on your wellbeing, mental health, finances and relationships.
Listen as Eleri touches on why harms are becoming more prevalent in society.
Summer is a great time of year, but with the busy sports season, we know it may also bring increased exposure to gambling, which can be challenging for some.
If you're in need of support, remember we're one call away.
This is Elissa. Her story, like many others, is both inspiring and powerful. She shares how she hit “rock bottom” due to gambling harms, and how she was able to find support through the National Gambling Support Network.
If you're worried about your own or someone else's gambling, please know there are many NGSN providers like @Adferidad that you can go to for support.
