Hi My name is Mark and I'm a gambling addict.
My 'tipple' of choice so to speak is online sports betting - I've been doing it since I was 18 and I'm now nearly 27 - I've never used a bookies shop and never will.
I chase losses all the time "Just another £5 - I'll win back what I've lost and maybe make a profit" but as we all know that never happens. You just end up losing more and more.
I should have done this a long time ago I know but I'm doing it today. Today is Day 1.
I've put the wheels into motion for online counselling through GamCare and I've put a DNS filter on my computer that blocks gambling sites.
I'm sick of losing money and it's definitely not doing my already dwindling mental health (a story for another day) any good at all. It's also putting a strain on my relationship. I love my fiancee with all my heart but she won't put up with this anymore and neither should she for that matter.
I'd definitely be interested in any tips that you guys have to beat the hell that is gambling addiction.
Today was the last time I'll ever gamble and this time I'm sticking to it.
Time to get my life back on track and today is the day.
This is the first step well done!!
I have tried to stop in the past and failed as I didnt tell my wife so I didnt get the support I needed and always fell back into it. I came clean the other day and my wife has left me. I am in a bad place but also a very positive place. I no longer need to lie or manipuate to hide my gambling and the obvious debts that come with it. I believe my wife will be back once she has sorted her head out but ony time will tell. I have surrounded myself with a support network and I start counselling next week.
My advice is to tell your partner if she doesnt know. I kept finding reasons not to tell my wife. She suffers with anxiety so I convinced myself that telling her would make her ill. How wrong I was!!! We are talking and she is coming to see me with out 2 year old daughter. It is too raw at the moment to discuss the future but for once I am facing the damage and starting to deal with it.
I wish you the best of luck my friend. Get the support you need and speak to your partner if you are feeling weak or have a relapse. This is very important.
Keep in touch!!
Jae
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