Hello everyone

Hi , Jack7171

I am sorry you are going through a really tough time at the moment, you are not alone. There is plenty of support available to you and you have made a really positive step today by posting today, there's always hope and opening up and talking about it is the first step in recovery, You can do this Jack. 

Please feel free to contact the GamCare Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or Netline to explore the additional support available to you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you would like to talk to one of the GamCare HelpLine advisers.

I would encourage you to make an appointment with your GP surrounding your anxiety and any other feelings you may be experiencing due to gambling.

Could I also give the details for some organisations that can offer some free debt advice.

National Debtline – 0808 808 4000, www.nationaldebtline.org

StepChange – 0800 138 1111, www.stepchange.org

Take care 

Kirk 

Forum Admin 

Hi Jack,

If you read my post that is a few after yours, you will see I am in the same position as you. 
Although it’s horrible for you, it’s also a relief to know there are people like me going through the same thing. 
My Girlfriend doesn’t know also, although she has suspicions as my moods & secrecy are so great now. I just can’t tell her & I have to beat this before I embarrass myself further. 
I am a week clean as of today. 
I am here if you need to chat mate 

Hi Jack, if you are gambling online you can register with Gamstop and put a blocker on your phone or other devices so you cannot get on the sites. I am a gambler who was found out 4 months ago after 5 years losing a lot of money. My wife found out which made it worse than if I had told her so, and I know it will be hard as I didn't have the guts to do it, I would recommend coming clean with your wife. We can all relate to your story, chasing losses, when we know the big win to put things right will never happen but that is what keeps us going.

My wife has been amazing and taken over our finances, we have cancelled my cards so I have no access to money which may seem extreme but it had to be done to move forward and I am now 4 months gamble free. We are working through the fallout from this which will take time but with her support I am a much better person and the urge to gamble has gone as the only reason for keeping going was to get that big win to make everything right before being found out.

Speak to gamcare, they are amazing, and can arrange counselling. Regarding your debts, I contacted Stepchange debt charity and set up a debt management plan for my credit cards which pays a manageable amount each month and stops any interest charges. It will take a long time to pay off but has taken the pressure off the debt for now.

The main thing is you have taken that first step by posting on here, the urges will continue at first but by putting blockers in place and having no access to gambling will hopefully see them fade and you will see the things around you that are important rather than being overwhelmed by this addiction.

Good luck and keep posting 

Hi Jack.

Well done for posting and asking for help. That's a huge step to take. You should be proud of yourself simply for taking that first step.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to come clean and tell your loved ones. It'll be difficult. They'll be angry and upset. There will be tears. But once that subsides, you will have a support network that will help you beat your addiction. Doing it alone will be so much harder. And if you don't tell them and then get caught, it'll be so much worse. 

Asking for help is tough. You'll feel embarrassed and ashamed. But it really is the best thing you can do. I'm speaking from experience.

Good luck.