New member

Hello,

I've recently joined and started responding to a few threads - and now feel a need to start one myself.

I am a professional "competant" person who has been promising myself "never again" for more than 5 years. I thought I could never tell my partner as he would not understand - and frankly he doesn't, but he has supported and maybe that's more important than understanding....?

So 12 weeks after confessing all & handing over my finances, apart from the feeling of deep shame (which appears to be a common thread) I feel great relief, as the burden of hiding something so consuming is lifted a little.

My game of choice is slots, I don't understand why I'm compulsed even though I'm also repulsed - right now, if I had the chance, I think I'd play, which is why I've blocked every avenue.

Next steps - bit of GA/Therapy maybe but my big share (which BTW I would not have listened to 13 weeks ago) is tell someone close to you and let them help......I am not a weak person, but this habit is much bigger than me. I would love to go back in time and stop sooner - instead I'm looking forward to a future where I don't dread the postman or the phone ringing, and don't worry everytime people talk about funds/investments/savings etc.

PS anyone else found betting shop self-exclusion completely useless - am planning on lobbying bookies (and parliment if non responsive, which I'm predicting they will be) to make membership mandatory, since they all have membership/loyalty schemes anyway, any thoughts...?