Hi thank you if you take the time to read this. I am addicted to online slots this has been an ongoing problem for a few years although I did manage to stop completely for over 2 years however the same feelings are back. In the space of a few months I have completely spent my savings and overdraft trying to chase my losses. I have a fabulous husband who now knows about my problem and is trying to help me to stop but after speaking to him yesterday and showing him my finances I have still carried on. Everytime I close an account I seem to open another one. I have told my husband that he must take control of my finances and check my bank account regularly , I am hoping that this will help me to stop. I am currently on long term sick from work with stress and anxiety ( not linked to gambling)and am taking medication and have completed a course of low intensity CBT and am waiting to begin high intensity CBT. This time away from work has been the catalyst to me starting gambling again. I want to stop and definitely need to stop as I have no more money and I’m likely to go to half pay soon. I don’t know why I need to gamble I hate the way it makes me feel and even winning no longer gives me any excitement as I know I will lose it all again and continue to chase losses. I feel like I have let my husband down - he is the only person who knows about my gambling and I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted to leave me. I don’t know what to do or what it will take to make me stop. I want a gamble free life. I wish I could just walk away from it all.
Hi masiemoo
You can walk away from it all- the only person stopping that from happening is you. You have made a very important step in telling your partner- its a huge added strength to have someone fighting it with you.
You say that your stress and anxiety isnt down to gambling? are you sure? so much of what gambling addiction is and what it makes us do is subconcious. You never know WHEN you beat this and have that first few months of an extra few quid in your pocket your other issues may subside if only alittle.
Have faith in yourself- you can do this- the first week is tough so keep logging on here- read some of the other stories, people who are much furth down the line in terms of severity and realise that this can be beaten it just takes determination and time.
Good luck!
Hi maisymoo.
I'm day one also if you like we can do this journey together starting now. Let's log in everyday update our diaries and let's set a target of 1 week gamble free and once that's done we continue setting more milestones. Honesty is needed tho as no point gambling and saying your on day 10 as we'll only be cheating ourselves
Thank you Colt11 you are right-the only person stopping me is me. The stress and anxiety aren’t caused by my gambling as the gambling started after but I’m sure it isn’t helping at the moment and that being gamble free will help alleviate some of the symptoms. Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it. It helps to know I’m not alone and that there is hope.
Hi soul-searcher hope you are ok. I agree let’s make 1 week gamble free as our first target. Honesty is definitely the most important thing - good luck and keep posting.
Hi I have decided to be completely honest with my husband and have wrote him a letter explaining everything. I have also given him the option to walk away as I know that this isn’t going to be an easy journey and we’ve been here before. He is a wonderful person and deserves far better than me. I’ve left the house so that he can read the letter as I can’t watch the disappointment on his face. I hope that he chooses me but wouldn’t blame him if he wants me to leave.
Thats a good idea maisie
Its good to get everything down so that you can explain fully without interuption or interjection.
Hope it all went well
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