Hi. I have had a gambling problem for as long as I can remember. Numerous times I have tried to stop & failed but I now have a wife & 2 young boys to support & on looking into the mirror the other day I was ashamed of myself. I have betrayed the trust of loved ones, my employer who are also my friends & all because of my addiction. Today is the day I want it all to stop. I have been lucky in the fact that my employer has recognised that this is an illness & is supporting me in battling this but I have to tell my wife today & it is making me feel physically sick at the though my stupidity could cost me everything. Is there any advice anyone can give me when speaking to loved ones? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Dear @sm11th,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling physically sick at the thought of talking to your wife. It can feel very scary when we think about opening up to other people, especially when it's people we care about.
Although we never know what the consequences of being honest will be, we do know that sharing the burden of your secret and unhappiness will mean you no longer have to hide things or go through this alone. You may even feel like a weight has been lifted from you once you let out the full extent of what’s been happening and how you’re feeling.
Well done on taking these brave steps. We would always encourage you to talk things through, to be honest with those around you and yourself, accept the help and support available and remember that you are never alone. We're always here for you, your wife and anyone else affected by problem gambling, we can also make free referrals to a Treatment Partner local to you if needed.
It's great to hear your boss now knows and is supporting you too. Please remember how far you've already come by admitting you have a problem, asking for help, opening up to your loved ones, support network and accessing our forum.
Please do keep posting and accessing support from our Forum community and feel free to join our group chat that opens twice a day from 1pm until 2pm and then again at 8pm until 9pm.
If you would like one on one support then please call us anytime, day or night on our Helpline 0808 8020 133 or via our Netline which is accessible through our website. You can also talk to your GP about how you're feeling.
Take Care and all the best,
Joanne
Forum Admin
Thank you very much for your response. I spoke to Fiona in the online chat section earlier today & she was most helpful & has referred me to the councellor. Today has been a day I don’t want to repeat. I’m not sure how it will end up with regards me & my wife as it’s still very raw but I am glad I made the step of telling her despite the hurt it has caused. I know I need to earn respect from all the people I have let down & I guess I needed to hit rock bottom before starting the long climb up the ladder to recovery
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