I have just joined Gamcare and have been gambling for years. I started when I was 13 with seaside fruit machines and it has gone on from there. I never thought or admitted I had a problem until now and it has gradually escalated. I have been lieing to my wife and using credit cards to fund me and she has judt found out. This is the second time only this time its worse and I have lied to her face that I was not gambling and made her feel awful for asking. I feel now that my whole world has fallen apart and I have no self respect. I have just taken a job in Bahrain which is fortunate for me as there is no gambling here and you cannot get online gambling as the internet is controlled. This means though that I am not with my wife and family to deal with this and we are only communicating through skype. I am really worried that once I return to the uk I will start again and this cannot be allowed to happen. I have run up an additional 10-15000 on credit cards and am working overseas for nothing. My family must hate me!!!
Hi GrahamH,
welcome to the Forum, and well done for taking steps to deal with your gambling problem.
I have moved your post into the 'New Members Intro Forum' section, it is more likely there that people will see your post and will engage.
I am wondering if you have thought about covering the gambling triangle: limiting access to money, blocking access to venue via blocking software and limting access to time by keeping busy with hobbies and special interests.
It appears you are outside of the UK at the moment, so perhaps calling the Helpline or the Netline is not an option right now, but I would definitely recommend you get in touch with us when you are back in the country. In the mean time keep using the Forum.
All the best,
Forum Admin
Hi Graham, well the job in Bahrain will give you the opportunity to start your gamble free life, if that is what you want. When you return it may be worth contacting Gam Care to arrange counselling and looking for your local GA meeting. You are in control of your destiny. It must be very difficult for your wife, I know for me honesty in a relationship is paramount. Maybe it would help to let her have complete control of finances....she is not going to trust you, for you have not given her cause to, it will take time and work to rebuild that. Hopefully your time in Bahrain will give you the funds to repay some of your debt....so you are not working for nothing, it is a means of getting out of the hole that you have dug. Take this opportunity to read diaries and find out more about your addiction and how people tackle it. Best wishes.
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