hi all. I have a gambling problem with online slots. I've racked up overdraft two credit cards and a loan over 18 months.fortunately I have a good job and have confided in two family members who have planned a budget so I know what j have and what I need to do.i have contacted all websites and excluded myself and put blocker on my phone.i have arranged for my family to look over my bank accounts each month so that they can see everything.the one thing I haven't done is tell my husband as it will break him as he is stressed at work and i know in order to recover i will need to .....but at this stage i can't as I need him to feel home is ok.thats the one sticking point as I feel bad not telling him but am not strong enough. I am determined not to gamble and so far each day ...only 11.....I do not have the urge.i ammindful 1 day at a time.i set myself 3 goals a day (I suffer depression) such as walk the dog.reach out to someone .complete a piece of work so that I can say today was a good day. I listen to mindfulness apps to block out thoughts to sleep and retrain my brain and message friends or look at support forums when bored and habitgoes to pick up the phone. it is a conscious process of talking to myself to keep focused on change as I want a life that is better then the one I have created in terms of how I feel.ilook forward to finding good times outside of the destructive patterns I had created.i look forward to this journey with people who know........my mantra "today i willnot go online and gamble as gambling is another word for losing everything .
Hi Cookie 12,
Wellcome to the Forum and well done for posting, it is good that you have found this forum, the people on here are very supportive, and you will not be alone in your recovery, if you would like to keep reading and posting, others will reply to support you,
If you have not spoken to an advisor on here already you can contact us and talk in confidence on our Free Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or you can chat to us on our Netline if you click on 'Netline on the top of this page. We also give free counselling from many areas in the country, we can give you counselling if you want to look at the underlying reasons why you do this and to adopt a possitive way forward.
It seems like you have put a lot of possitive steps ion place to help you with your recovery. Well done.
It is good that you are looking at talking to your husband about your gambling, and what better time than when you have already taken steps towards recovery. Most people who have taken this step have talked about the weight off their shoulder after they have come clean. We are here to support you if you want to talk about how you want to take this step.
You do not have to be alone in this.
Regards
Forum Admin.
PS
I am aware that you have posted the same post twice. I will delete one of them so that you can find the reply that others will give you from one place.
thank you. and thanks for the delete of double clicked too many times.
It does help to know that I'm not alone .I will work towards telling my husband .....a step too far at this time with other pressures from other family but i hate him not knowing as i know either way he is going to be distressed by it .but I hope that I can make that step.one day . I will keep reading and posting as I am encouraged by the similar stories and how much further people have travelled in their journey.
Hi. .and welcome. .
Online slots was also my problem..
Firstly ..a massive well done on all the things youve already achieved in fighting you're addiction...like you I was scared of telling hubby...for various reasons. ..and I think I was a good few weeks gamble free before he knew. .you've got people to confide in ...and to support you...as did I
My hubbies reaction was much better than I had expected...so I completely understand what you're saying...my only regret was id put myself through weeks of stressing what he would say/do
If I told him sooner...I could have saved myself that worry..
But...that's life...and we can only do what we can do..don't be hard on yourself...you've mad a fantastic start. ..focus on one day at a time...get some inner strength back and keep posting on here...take a look at my diary..it may help...it may not..
But you'll see youre not alone in this fight ...take care x
hi loxxie
Many thanks for replying .I will have a look as I am finding so many posts that I am nodding at .this happened in 2004 and I stopped until 2016 .....mistakenly thought one bet wouldn't hurt.difference is back then I thought paying off the debt was enough and keeping away.this time I'm facing the fact I have a problem and want to change.but when he found out the hate and hurt that was thrown around ....it took a long time to come back from that.im just not ready to open Pandora s box with him yet until I'm stronger .....but I'm not saying never
Hi Cookie12, welcome to the forum.
I see you’re 12 days into your road to freedom which is a good start.
Keep fighting any urges and keep yourself busy. Those days will soon stack up!
Best of luck, Dan
thanx Dan.onwards and upwards. I bought some sketching pencils today as I used to draw all the time as a kid and young adult and was quite good .time to revisit some old hobbies to keep the hands occupied and away from online gambling.
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