Prison, can I expect any help?

Hi B

I've been involved in supporting members in Prison and there is support for gamblers but it can be a bit hit and miss.

GA can be fantastic and often meetings can be arranged in Prisons if they arn't there already. My suggestion would be to get to the meetings and ask what the local support is. If you don't get any answers contact the regional prison liasion officer.

As to other support, education can be a big part of recovery from addiction. Again ask as many questions as you can before you go in.

Lastly try and start a diary on the forum here. Keep up to date with your progress. Tri

Would sgree with the advice above. If custodial sentance is unavoidable, try to be pro-active now. Contact the National Prison Liason Officer through the GA website, to see what is available to help you. Attend your local meeting also as they maybe able to point you in the right direction also.

Thanks, that's quite reassuring. GA in my area is tomorrow night so will be going along to that. Couldn't tell wife today as she normally goes to her parents after work (finishes lunchtime) on a Monday but she came home. I need her to have the support of her parents so when I tell her will try again tomorrow. Kids are home from school today now so will have to wait 🙁

If anyone else reads this in the future I've just found the the GA Prison Liaison Officers email address: [email protected]

If you find yourself in my prediciment then it might be worth emailing to find out what's available before you go away.

I'll let you know if I hear anything back.

B

Hi. ..can't really offer any factual Information on your question ...but just wanted to say hi...and feel for you ...hope it goes as well as can be expected when you speak to your wife ...stay strong and good luck x

Loxxie wrote: Hi. ..can't really offer any factual Information on your question ...but just wanted to say hi...and feel for you ...hope it goes as well as can be expected when you speak to your wife ...stay strong and good luck x

Cheers Loxie, she's an amazing woman for putting up with me for so long and all of my lies and secrets, for the sake of the children. I know this is going to be hard for her, she's a shy woman and she'll be devastated when this hits the press but hopefully people will rally round her and realise what she's been putting up with for so many years of our married life.

Your local group should also have a pamphlet titled. Towards Recovery in Prison

Time is a healer my love...be honest with her...tell her everything about the crime....I can't imagine how things will pan out...but at least if she knows whats coming she's better prepared...as for the press...well I understand that as I've been there...one off my daughter's for charged with fraud from employer...the local paper has it on the front page....and yes it was horrible....but I understood how and why she got to such a low place that let to the crime...the day she went for sentencing I was home with her 11 month old baby...and had to open my pub that night. ...my friends...and customers were amazing. ..I'm sure there was tittle rattle behind my back...didn't care...that's up to them...you'll be surprised how little people actually say...and the dust soon settled...get as much support from recognised groups as you can...I even wrote to the judge explaining the whole crime from my point of veiw...how I knew she was sorry...what she's done to make amends etc. ...if the court can see your seeking help and wife is in control id everything...
It may well help...none of this is possible though if she doesn't no....good luck x

Hi - I have been reading your posts and am now sitting here with tears in my eyes and I feel so sorry for you and your family. What is so sad is that you sound like you are basically a good person who is really remorseful and aware of what this gambling addiction has done to ruin your life and now you have the thankless task of facing your family. But it will be better when everything is out in the open. I hope they stick by you because this is the "rockbottom" part of your problem and even if you get a sentence it is up to you now as to how hard you work to turn things around and prepare for your life when you come out. The advice from others about GA meetings now is great and try and get other counselliing from local meeting groups via your doctor as well and that shows you are trying to help yourself. Get as much knowledge from this site about self exclusion, debt management and their counsellors about how you can fight the addiction and try and speak to them on the phone as well. The courts take into account if you are trying to improve your situation so make notes on what you have done so the legal teams can produce positive things for you. And aim to make sure your family are ok and make sure your wife gets some support with handling this situation. i.e. the counsellors on here will talk to her if should would like more information and support. Also make sure you have looked into the welfare of your family while you are away - there are plenty of helplines that will help with this.

I am afraid that as a parent dealing with this, what has finally happened to you is the news that we have always dreaded hearing. Very often we would warn that this would happen but the gambling takes such a hold that it fell on deaf ears and we have just about avoided your situation at the moment, but it was a close thing at one point. Gambling addicition, or any addiction, is is an awful thing that can happen to the nicest people. However, you have done the right thing coming on here because there will be support and caring and no judgement on your gambling problem.

Please take care and I wish you a bright future with your family when all of this is in the past and sorted out.

gam

Hi messedupagain

Just to let you know that GamCare do offer counselling services from a few prisons, if that was something you were interested in.

If you give our helpline or netline a call, we can talk about this further.

Best wishes

Rebecca

How did you get on at GA last night?

Hi

I know of someone that ended up in prison almost directly due to her addiction to alcohol. There seemed to be plenty of counselling and training courses for her. From the written contact its the first time I feel she was given serious professional attention and help. The years away from drink have freed her mind and she has been studying and training.

I worry for her but feel she has had some of the best counselling and one to one support in her life

I have to say I knew she was on the rocky road due to a drink problem she just couldnt control. I knew her very briefy because I couldnt cope with a binge drinker. She is a nice person underneath a very lost and self destructive life. I was shocked to hear the news

I think you will get support and its good what gamcare have said above.

What can I say? I suppose you have to use your time to build up into a reformed, gamble free and better person

All the best