All over

Hi Dave,

Firstly well done for coming on here and admitting you want to help yourself and change! Now, you need to right off everything you have lost and never chase it! The moment you start chasing, you'll get back into that cycle again!

I kept things from people for a long time thinking I could sort it out myself and failed! Being honest is the best policy! I'm not saying tell your partner and everyone else but in order to keep on the right path you need a good support system! Everyone on here could be that support! If you're willing to change then today is a new day and start a fresh! Take little steps and you will manage this!

I spent the past 7 years gambling, going from month to month spending thousands! Finishing every month either with nothing left or with debt to pay! I finally hit rock bottom in December and revealed all! It was the best thing I did! A huge weight was lifted! Taking day by day and paying back the 4k I owed I'm now just under 7 months gamble free and feel great!

It can be achieved! I believe in you!! Good luck! Here's to a new fresh start for you!

Cheers mate, yes it's a very vicious circle and I have been extremely lucky before as this should have happened a while ago (hitting the bottom). It took 2k on a single soon of roulette to get me out of the previous hole.

I'd like to think I am strong enough mentally to get through this alone without upsetting my family and friends. I will definitely be using this forum as I read so many peoples situations and can relate. Hopefully,I can help others.

Many thanks for your comments and support. How did your family react when you told them? My partner has nothing to do with the money side of things I look after everything. She would be so disappointed in me and I don't think I could bare to tell her. That's why I am determined to get through this and not have it impact the kids in what we can and can't do financially.

What type of gambling were you doing? Was it the buzz that kept you doing it?

Hi.

It's good to see that you have realised at an early stage. Although 5k is a lot in reality it's a small amount to pay for life and happiness.

I told my partner when I was in 15k worth of debt but wanted to tell her when it was 3k...I don't think it was ever about the money for not telling I think it was about the lies and deceit. Now it's all out and iv been totally honest, it liberating giving me the strength to know I can get through. So this in mind I would always say be truthful as this is a demon to beat and it something that will last forever. However i know how hard it is to be truthful to loves ones so my advice is to at least be truthful to yourself and then go from there.

Hi Kl,

Many thanks for your response and words. I am not going to tell my family as I am determined to sort things out myself. I am in a much better place now, no thoughts of gambling and as previously mentioned I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I have already put together a monthly spending budget to see how much we spend and how much I can save to replenish what I've lost. I am man enough to admit I've made a massive c**k up and need to face the consequences of my actions. I need to do this alone, for myself. I will sort things out and I am

already feeling a lot better about things.

Today I spent a day in the garden with the kids and didn't have to urge to check my phone to see how my latest bets/horses had done. My mates had suggested a day at the races, but I changed the angle and we are now going to a different city for a night out instead.

I feel a happier with everything and happy to have a plan in place. I see this as a challenge and one I will accomplish.

I think I will keep a blog going on here to chart my progress as I feel it would be good to share and receive support if I start to struggle.

Hi mate,

My situation was a little different as there are no children involved so i can't really offer advice on that but what I do know is the more people that know about the problem, the more likely you are to continue to stay gamble free. I'm not suggesting you can't do it on your own but I tried on many occasions and failed.

All my gambling took place in bookies on the FOBT! On the roulette! Constantly losing and when winning only gaining back a small proportion I lost originally!

My partner was pretty angry when I first told her. We didn't speak for a good few days. But on reflection now it was the best thing ever! The lies I was telling to cover myself were getting worse and a ginormous weight was lifted! Now my family and closest friends are aware of the situation and are there for me. Like i said the more people that know the more people can help remind you and keep u on track! It's pretty difficult on your own.

I now see a councillor who has helped me see what I was doing to my family and how gambling is a disease that can be treated.

I wish u luck mate on the road to recovery.

Hi Newman,

Thanks for sharing.

I can see the benefits of telling my partner and family and I have been toying with the idea for weeks. However, having now accepted my situation and already feeling positive about the future I don't see the need of causing all the pain telling them would cause.

My gambling side has just involved a couple of minutes on my phone not long hours in the bookies so in terms of lying and covering up I don't really have anything like that to hide.

I now have a plan and structure of how to move forward on a monthly basis and should have everything back in place within 12-16 months. That includes family holidays and stuff for the kids as I don't want my mistakes to affect the rest of the family (I know it already indirectly has).

I am a lot happier and very positive about the future. As previously mentioned I see this as a challenge, one that I am most certainly up for.