I genuinely don't know what to do...

Charlie, you have taken the first step, you have come on here and have opened up to what is going on and what you have done, you have also excluded your self from all you accounts, I would suggest you also put a block on your computer/ phone, so if you do get tempted you wouldn't be able to access anything, I asked my daughter to set up mine and it is passcode protected and only she knows the code. You have had a relapse this month, I would seriously suggest, and this is from experience, you need to tell your family, it is going to be better coming from you rather than them finding out, it will be tough and owning upto it will not be easy, they will be angry and disappointed, I very much doubt they will turn their back on you but you must do everything you can to turn this situation round, the road to recovery is a very bumpy one,it will be emotional, you will feel like you have hit rock bottom, but every day after that you will start to feel better, beat the gambling don't let it beat you.

My husband found out about me the hard way which wasn't by me telling him, the deceat was hard for him, he threw me out the house, that was 10 tens ago and we are still not back on track although we did speak on the phone for the first time yesterday. Nothing will get any better by not facing it head on, be open be honest and ask for help, you could even ask your family member to take control of your finances until all your debt is paid off, they may see this as you taking moves to stop.

I wish you the best of luck, stay strong

Heather

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for your story. I relate to the facts you state to the start of my recovery.

After big losses in 2015, I tried to stop myself as a New Years resolution. Failed big time! This sounds like you at the moment "wanting to stop" but finding it impossible. Why? You may ask yourself, the answer, because we're addicted and cannot control our gambling. Harsh but reality.

Tell the family member who bailed you out the truth and that you've been gambling again. Also tell them you need help and cannot fight this addiction alone. So them this web-site, tell them you are going to get in touch with GA if you can attend a local meeting.

With your job in the army and the 3 month deployment you mention is this an opportunity to save a bit of money? If so maybe the family member can wait for their repayment? Just a thought, then when you return, hopefully gamble free get your recovery into gear. Take some books with you, preferably auto biographys which tell the truth in how gambling wrecks lifes. I read Paul Mersons this summer, excellent read. So if the other army lads play cards etc, get your book out and read! Little changes to your everyday life are required to get away from the attraction of gambling. Like you say "you will always find a way" but it's much harder if you've already set yourself blockers. Doing nothing will always leave this doors fully open.

All the best mate, let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Shep72 wrote:

Hi Charlie,

Thanks for your story. I relate to the facts you state to the start of my recovery.

After big losses in 2015, I tried to stop myself as a New Years resolution. Failed big time! This sounds like you at the moment "wanting to stop" but finding it impossible. Why? You may ask yourself, the answer, because we're addicted and cannot control our gambling. Harsh but reality.

Tell the family member who bailed you out the truth and that you've been gambling again. Also tell them you need help and cannot fight this addiction alone. So them this web-site, tell them you are going to get in touch with GA if you can attend a local meeting.

With your job in the army and the 3 month deployment you mention is this an opportunity to save a bit of money? If so maybe the family member can wait for their repayment? Just a thought, then when you return, hopefully gamble free get your recovery into gear. Take some books with you, preferably auto biographys which tell the truth in how gambling wrecks lifes. I read Paul Mersons this summer, excellent read. So if the other army lads play cards etc, get your book out and read! Little changes to your everyday life are required to get away from the attraction of gambling. Like you say "you will always find a way" but it's much harder if you've already set yourself blockers. Doing nothing will always leave this doors fully open.

All the best mate, let us know how you get on.

All the best.

Thanks for the reply shep, This morning is just really thinking of what I'm going to do and how dumb I was, It's like I just get into it but then when I'm not I'm like why did I do it, So have you stopped or are you still trying? It is yeah I've also been told the Internet out there is S***e so that's also a bonus.. my plan is to sell my phone this week get my debt paid off and get through the month, I'm going to do it as a punishment/ Bail out, Then buy a cheap phone, I'll keep you all updated, Thanks for the other reply you're so right! I'm just a fool and never seen myself coming here,

I'm 8 months gamble free, from Feb this year. You've got to want to stop for good. Many people clear their debts or get some savings and think they can return safely to gambling. I remember my first GA meeting, the guy said "you will never be cured, you can only arrest the addiction" at first I thought a bit harsh, but know I realise this is the truth. I heard of many relapses and tails about people stopping GA meetings then going back at it. My life is better without gambling and I know I'm a better person without all the negatives gambling brought with it. We've got to admit the negatives always out number the positives when addicted.

Getting rid of a smart phone is a good move. You can also take out an under 18s contract which stops access to adult websites and gambling ones too. Also your home broadband supplier can stop access as well to these sites.

Have a read of the diary section of this forum there's some great stories told in there to take whatever you wish from them.

All the best.