Financial control

hi Hogwonk,

Welcome to the Forum, and well done for the steps you have taken towards your gambling problem. Finding this forum is a very good step towards recovery, as there is a lot to learn from reading the post on here and also getting help from supportive people who will try and respond to your post.

GA is very good, a lot of people on here have found them very helpful, so is Counselling; It sounds like you are on the right track. I am wondering what you gambled on, and what practical steps you have put in place to make it less easier for you to gamble. You can block all access to online gambling sites if you gamble online, and Self exclude yourself from all the betting shops in your local area, if you gamble from 'Base'. (shops)

Talking about financial security, what do you think about asking your wife to control your finances for you? Some have found asking their employers to pay their wages directly into their love ones accounts very helpful, so that they will not have access to money. Of course this may not stop you from getting into debt, however creditors will not keep giving money to people who are not able to pay them, and so not having access to money could help minimize ones chances of getting credit and therefore being in debt.

I am wondering what you think about speaking to Citizen's Advice Beareau about the arrangement you want to have with your wife, and how your mother in law's generous offer for your family could be accepted securely. The banks may also be able to explain how your wife could own your house alone if that is possible.

Whatever you decide to do, we are here to support you. You can always call our advisors on our free telephone helpline, or chat with us on our 1-2-1 chat, if you want to talk in confidence.

Again well done for posting.

Regards

Florence

(Forum Admin)

Hi

The main thing is that you are talking about it and facing the problem.

Any financial arrangement is personal to you and its crucial that you are monitored and have the right blocks in place. It may well be that you need to be living on a sandwich allowance and providing receipts. If your wife controls your finances that would be a real help but you have to be totally accepting and open about that. You should take a pride in self excluding and its quite understandable that your family should be aware how dangerous a gambling addiction is and take some steps to protect the finances

There is no room for half measures and you need to be totally open about your feelings.

I know that the urges fade away when you have a healthy mindset but there is never room for complacency. It may always be within us and stress or a bad day could possibly trigger it again. Thats why the blocks have to be there and renewed. However the days pass by quickly now and I have better things to be doing with my life.

Keep sitting down with your family and you will enjoy proving yourself again and beating this addiction. There is no shame in admitting that it got you hooked and now you can start to change for the better

I know it can be controlled and beaten. I have never broken my exclusions and it was just what I needed so I dont feel welcome in those gambling dens.

Get some financial advice and above all keep talking about it

Best wishes from everyone on the forum