Hi all - hope this is the right place to post.
Today is what I’m hoping to be the beginning. Although I think it’s goinf to get (much) worse before it’s better.
I’ve been gambling for over 3 years and it’s affected all aspects of my life.
My wife and I aren’t happy as I’ve got this secret and am acting irritable. I have run up over 30k debt that I can’t manage, and now I’m suspended from work as I used a work card to pay for things as I had run out of money, and claimed expenses when I shouldn’t have to get more to gamble and win it back.
Now I’m in a messed up place. I think I’ll get fired as I can’t tell my employer about my addiction, I have been referred to counselling but this takes weeks.
Any ideas on what I should do would be massively appreciated.
Hi judge my honest opinion is you should be honest. You should tell your employer. Find a GA meeting asap. If this goes to court you may find that the judge makes attendance at meetings part of your 'conditions'. You also need to tell your wife. Don't let her be surprised by your 'sacking'. I'm not saying that any of this will definitely lead to court, but it could. You need to be prepared and support from family especially your wife will help you. As for the gambling, you need to accept the money is gone. You will never win it back. Your addiction has got a real grip on you and lead you to extremes of behaviour. In the long term this could and will continue if you don't seek help today. Hopefully others will comment who have far more experience than me. Also the best place to talk about finances and the inability to pay your bills is stepchange. If you act today and try to make amends this will help your case. Not telling and waiting for their decision will not help you.
Hi Judge 1982,
Welcome to the forum, and thanks for sharing your story with us.
It seems like your gambling problem has led you into all sort of problems and to the point where you’ve been even suspended from work, and has a debt of £30,000.
That calls for concern, and I’m glad you’ve come to Gamcare to seek professional help for your gambling problem.
As fellow forum member suggested, you have to put in place strategies to enable you control and eventually stop your gambling. Gambling problem gets worse if you don’t do anything about it and can easily get out of control, and which seems to be now happening to you.
I think it would be advisable to contact our free phone Helpline on: 0808 8020 133, and speak to one of our advisers regarding strategies for the type of gambling that you’re involved in. Our services are available everyday from 8.00am to midnight, so there’s plenty of time in case you want to contact us.
We can also refer you for counselling, and nearest to where you live. Maybe if our counselling appointment will be sooner for you, then you can decide to go for it instead of waiting for weeks for the previous referral.
I agree with Merry go round that you need to be honest to your wife and employers to start with, and you’ll soon need her support with the debt and case pending in your job.
I think you need a lot of support, and I hope you’ll heed to this advice and contact us straight away.
Kind regards,
Beatrice
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