Hello, my name is Niki.
Today i gambled away my rent, for the second week running. I have had a problem with gambling for around 6 years. Though i’ve always managed to pay bills, every spare bit of money i had went on online slots. Racking up thousands over the years, im now convinced i have an addiction.
i’ve lied to my partner about where my money goes, made up bills so he will give me money, and now im ashamed to say i’ve used the rent money again, and im left feeling sick, anxious, ashamed and so so embarrassed.
I want to tell my partner tonight, but im frightened. He is a wonderful man, very supportive of me and our 2 year old, and i know he will be understanding although probably hurt and angry. Thats what i hate about the telling him. I need help, i know that, but im in a state of panic about admitting to it.
i want today to be my last day, i need to find the courage to tell him. How do i drop this bombshell on him?
Hi niki to stop the downward cycle it's best to get support. Download gamstop to block you online. Show your partner you mean it. Hand over finances to him. Get some support from gamcare. Go on the evening chat. Find a GA meeting. These all show others that you really want to stop. Once you start taking measures to restrict you access to money and to gamble you will start to feel better. Good luck!
Thank you. I just didnt know where to start, or who to turn to. Ive not told my partner yet, simply because he has an ill family member and im worried about adding to his stress. Im hoping against hope that coming on here and speaking to others who have been in this dark hole, will help me until i can explain it to my partner. I’ve blocked my cards from the site (its only ever one site i use), and ive deleted the app. I’ll have a go at that gamstop app too and try to do this with support and advice from here for now.
Peace out x
Hello Niki2019 welcome to the forum I can see from your post that you are struggling with letting your partner about your gambling problem and the consequences of gambling, it can help to call and speak with a gamcare adviser they will listen to your concerns and will support you. The freephone helpline is open 8am until midnight. The contact number is 0808 8020 133 or you can speak with an adviser on the netline
You can self- exclude from a large number of online national gambling websites by registering at http://www.gamstop.co.uk
There are other ways you can block gambling from your devices with software please see here for information
https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/blocking-software#.VBwD8fldXww
There are debt advice agencies that can help and support you to manage your debt situation please see here for information https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-advice/what-can-you-do/finance-and-debt-management#.VBwEDvldXww
Keep posting we are here to support you
Kind regards
Forum admin
Hi Niki, Gamstop is a must if you want to stop online gambling. It isn’t an app, it’s a register where you log your details which are used by all UK registered online casinos. It will block all access for 6, 12 months or 5 years, whichever you choose. It’s helped me massively. Good luck with telling your partner.
Niki,
I would urge you to register with gamstop
It's not an app, but more a database of all sites registered to take bets / slots in the UK.
You can self exclude for 5 years. Simply doing that and you will find the relief is amazing.
The you can start working your recovery.
Partners frequently suspect something is up. They frequently think the worse (illness, affair). As long as you arn't in catastrophic debt - they will probably be relieved you told them
Hi Niki I hope you have managed to have the courage to tell your partner. Telling them is far from easy but the hardest part is making them understand this awful illness. Please register with GameStop it will be a lifeline. Knowing you can't go on line really helps. As most of us know it's easy to download another app when you feel tempted. I gambled my rent away for months lied, hid it until we were a week away from loosing our home. Don't let this illness drag you to that stage. Get help now before it does there is never a happy ending for a compulsive gambler unless they stop. Good luck with your journey and stay strong
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can also contact us for free on 0808 80 20 133. If you would like to find out more about the service before you start, including information on confidentiality, please click below. Call recordings and chat transcripts are saved for 28 days for quality assurance.
