My boyfriend is wanting to quit his gambling addiction alone without professional support, is there anyone who has found this to be successful

Hi

My view is that it can be done with close support and the strongest of blocks.

Professional support can be of help and the more support the better. However pro support can scare some people so I would say start with serious talking and find out if he is ready for a born again moment.

It will involve very limited access to money and you controlling the finances. If he is ready he will be eternally grateful for this. If he not ready he will get moody and think everyone is treating him like a baby.

Its a strong addiction but it can be controlled and beaten into history. There is no room for complacency however and you will both need to realise that recovery takes time and is a small price to pay compared with the ruin of gambling.

You may need counselling over this and must protect yourself. Ive been a gambler and I wouldnt live with one that wasnt fully ready to stop.

Knowledge is strength. This addiction is actually a drug addiction in the way it operates. It wont let him go without cold turkey. willpower alone is not enough

Being gamble free brings serenity. Is he now ready?

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

Posted by: L-e-w123

I am looking for advice regarding my boyfriends gambling problem that he has recently admitted to me, he is adamant he will quit now he’s told me however I am not Doubting him but I am doubting the addiction that he has had for way over a year now I think he is being naive to the situation but was looking for anyone who has been in this situation and found it successful to take a step back and let them quit their own way without pushing them into anything, Thankyou 

I'm not sure things like this forum would have been setup if it were as easy as your boyfriend is alleging.

However he needs to discover this for himself... Always remember talk is cheap when it comes out of a gamblers mouth.

Everyone has different pain thresholds and once he has reached his point with the gambling he will genuinely try and put it behind him. Who knows, he could be at that point now.

You need to protect yourself whatever though, once that protection is in place then work out what your future holds. My wife supported me through this and I am forever indebted to her, her support inspires me to continue the fight.

The fight is ongoing by the way, it something that needs work every day. Have you the energy to support him with this? Does he have this sort of energy?

Anyway, talk is cheap in the gamblers world. Let's see what his actions bring to the table moving forward.

Oh and the other thing - trust your instincts ✊

Best of luck ✌️?

Hi L-e-w123,

My advice would be that you try what your boyfriend believes is the solution and if it proves not to be then try something different until you find a solution to the issue.

I spent many years in a cycle of trying the same ineffective ideas of how to overcome my addiction but realised after many years of failed attempts that I needed to seek help that I was originally opposed to. 

I wish you and your boyfriend the very best on your journey.

Kind regards. 

I guess Walliss77 is right now you can support him. I suppose it would be the best solution.