How did I end up like this

With determination, help, listening and learning, changing your mental attiitude, looking at what drove you etc. You can. I know that sounds like a long list but there are other things - as much self-exclusion as possible; shops as well as online, using this forum as much as you like, start a debt management plan with some organisation like StepChange. Perhaps start a diary to see your progress? Use the chatroom which runs everyday and also the netline if you want to talk online or on the phone to a GamCare advisor. You have many, many choices and decisions to make in the short, medium and long-term but you can move forward with support and self-resolve towards a better life as many users of this forum have including myself. Best wishes, Phil.

Thank you Phil, I confronted my debts this morning, so much worse than I kidded myself, stressed me out, I started to think about gambling but took the dog out and started rearranging cupboards, I'm going to have admit all this to my partner, who is the best thing ever but I just don't know how he will react, I've always made sure bills, rent are paid, made up bills to cover shortfalls etc, he's going to be devastated I've been lying to him, I can't see how I can help myself if I don't own up but I'm terrified, next thing to do today is I'm going to sit and work out repayment plans with lenders and tell them I've not to be allowed loans again, will they do this? I'm not even sure, deep breath now as I think what's ahead, have a feeling I'll be on here for a while.

Go to an organisation like Stepchange who will help you work out an affordable amount per month to be split between all your creditors.

I'm going to look into that now Phil, thank you.

Well went to stepchange site, totally out of control my spending but I knew that...got numbers and details ready to contact lenders tomorrow and I'm going to fess up to my partner and admit I have a problem, had the urge all day to gamble but so far have controlled myself...let's hope tomorrow is the same.

Take it from someone who hid it from their husband for years and ended up getting caught when I was in £125k debt. If he loves you he will want to help you and you need help. Give him control of all your money, get a weekly allowance....sounds s**t but it seriously works and it proves to him that your serious about quitting. Make him understand that you have a problem it's not just that youve been stupid. Good luck xxxx

Brand new on here tonight. Been at it for 15 years....60k lost in 15 years and today I have set up yet another debt management plan. This is my last chance. My Mrs loves me and she has stood by my gambling style Jekyll & Hyde character through all of it. Had a heart attack summer just gone and I'm only 33. Deep breath Celtic....one day at a time. All the best...let's make it stick...

Thank you both, bottled telling him tonight as he came in looking and feeling quite unwell but I know I cant start looking for excuses not to admit what's going on,, I have read tonight about self exclusion from betting shops, think I will consider this too as a precaution although I mostly gambled online...such a roller coaster, I'm up in down, I can only think of the my day minute to minute, I'm struggling, but feel positive.

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Definitely self exclude. Get the accounts closed forever and don't open any more. Remember the feeling of dread about telling your partner what's going on when you think about gambling. Deep breath....new day....all the best.

Hi Celtic

You can self exclude from every bookies within a postcode area with one phone call. The number is in the information at the top of the Gamcare page.

Have you installed a blocker on the devices you use to gamble? K9 is free and there are gambling dedicated paid for blockers available too. Many offer free trials if you can't afford one just now. If you can get your husband told sooner rather than later he can sett passwords for you. If you can't do that use a random combination of letters and symbols you don't write down.

You can't self-exclude forever as far as am I aware. I think it ranges from between one and five years depending on the business but then of course you can renew it.

Hi there, just wanted to say welcome and that I'm just 28 days ahead of you in having stopped gambling, set up blocks, told my husband and started counseling. I've not found stopping gambling hard but confessing to my husband has been difficult but getting easier every day. We have a financial plan together, he has taken over all household expenses while I concentrate on the debt and all my credit cards are destroyed, everyweek we have a financial review where we look at my spending together and he's starting to believe that I'm serius about beating this!