Hi All,
I am married with 3 children. I have had mental health issues in the past and recently they have resurfaced due to issues with family and money. I have always had a little gamble every now and then but over the last 9 months ive been using it as a escape and a way to try and ease money issues. I am joining GAMCARE to try and get some control back and to admit to myself i have an issue before i loose much more than money. It started out with just the odd £5 here and there on the football but more recently i find myself constantly thinking about betting and its gone into the hundreds of ponds which we do not have, this has put an enourmous strain on my wife as she has had to pick up the pieces and take on extra hours at work to compensate the money i lost, its affecting my work and home life to the point my depression has come back with avengance. Im depressed because i havnt got much money, i gamble to try and make money which in turn causes more issues with money which leads me to feeling depressed. I know the pressure i am putting my home life under when i am doing it but part of me thinks its a good thing if i win and my wife will be happy, the reality however is far from it. I dont have many friends and my parents have disowned me over something completely unrelated so the feeling of being alone compounds the issue. My wife if my only real friend and i am pushing her away with every pound i waste but i cannot seem to stop.
I am posting this now to see if anyone can relate to these issues and to know that i am not alone would be a massive help in that start of the recovery process.
Hi James if you are depressed you should seek help from your gp. Next get yourself to the nearest GA meeting. If you gamble online sign up to gamstop and use blocking software on gadgets. Self exclude from bookies. Gambling will affect your mental health. The only way to make/save money is to stop wasting it gambling. Your wife taking on extra hours to compensate for your gambling is enabling. It's your responsibility not hers. She needs advice and support too, that will help her living with a compulsive gambler.
As a short term measure you must give all financial control to your wife mae sure there is no way you can get hold of your finances.
You need to let your wife know you are willing to do anything, it must be quite tough on her as well and I feel like giving her your cards etc will be a lot of help.
Keep posting
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