Hoping to turn my life around

Your not, a lot of people feel like this, me too chose to turn my life around, going gamblers anon, want a normal life, not sitting in front of my computer for hours wasting my life and money I can't afford.

Hi Margaret.

You are absolutely not alone in this. I am a recent joiner to this site (in recovery 21 days) and just understanding that there are a group of people going through the same pain that you are, and who understand the nature of the problem you are dealing with was a great source of solace for me when I came here very much in pieces and desperately in need of help and understanding. As I was told when I first posted, people here will not judge you and you have made the best first step in coming here, admitting you are a compulsive gambler and seeking the help you need.

Someone more experienced than me will be along to offer better advice than I can, but there are counselling services available here (online and via phone) if you feel you would benefit from speaking to someone directly.

For now, definitely have a look at the "blocking software" available to you - gamblock, betfilter, and K9 are all methods of stopping your computer from being able to access online gambling sites, which whilst not a solution in itself, may help you whilst you are still in the early stages of recovery by removing means of access to gambling (similar options are available for android and IOS phones/tablets).

I also found it useful to set up email filters to kill off any emails I was still recieving which offered "returning player" or "bonus spins" etc from the various online casinos who will still hound you despite your decision to self exclude.

I completely understand the shame and guilt you feel from gambling. I have been there, and still feel it now - well done for telling your husband about this (that is more than I felt able to do, but I think if you can tell your partner this too is a very positive step). The destruction that gambling causes is far from just financial/debt, I rue the time I have lost with my family, and the impact it had on my working life, the lies and secrets it made me tell. Recovery is not easy, and your resolve will be tested, but it can be done - and you will be FAR happier without gambling in your life. Have a look at the "recovery diary" section of the site and read some of these, there are some very moving stories and some great inspirational stories also - these will help you to understand you are not alone and that recovery is possible.

Best of luck with recovery, your journey starts here.

FM.

I appreciate your comments guys and I already feel relief from facing my problem head on. I wish you both the best of luck on your journeys and hope to one day say I've been free from gambling for lots of years. I'm staying positive and so glad my husband has been understanding x

Keep going on this forum Maggie, keep reading, I know there will be days when You think just fifty quid, but extra cash we have should be for fun, today me and my partner went to lunch at a restaurant, have not done that for ages, think gambling ain't fun, spending an hour or too having a lovely lunch is.