Sunny skies ahead

hi, I'm checking in as I've now completed 60 days GF. 

The change in two months has been so vast. For me, the turning point was telling my husband and two friends. I'd hidden things for 4 years- sometimes quitting but never with any real dedication I think honesty (with myself or others).

Ive not told everyone- family don't know, just the 3 people I mentioned previously. My counsellor is very supportive of this and doesn't feel that gambling has to define you and everyone doesn't have to know- though I do know some support groups advocate the shouting from the rooftops to prevent any hiding away or access to borrowing funds. However, my approach has been to tackle from the roots and it seems to be working. I've not handed full control to my husband financially- though he has all login details for bank and credit reports to check as and when he wants to. Tohave handed full control doesn't sit right with either of us, no matter the circumstances. But I did give him the option, should he have needed full control for his own peace of mind. 

My success has came from weekly counselling sessions tacking the root of the problems and unhappiness. I've had Gamban and Gamstop in place to tackle the initial urges. Though I can honestly say after Week 6 I have not had one urge. Someone bought me a scratchcard for my birthday (not something I had a problem with) but still I handed it straight over to my husband to do it as I didn't want to. The nightmares have stopped and I'm feeling better. My husband and I communicated about bigger problems we had in our relationship and we are now much much better. In his eyes, this is over and done with, we've dealt with it and I'm talking to him about the counselling. 

this forum has been a great support but I've been finding the need to come on lessen and lessen as I no longer think about gambling daily. I'm not naive, I know this is a long term fight, but I don't believe I am a gambling addict for life. It's something that has affected me before but it doesn't define me, it doesn't mean I am doomed to forever be it. I can and will continue to be gamble free. I will never again put myself in a situation where I am tempted to gamble: this is on me to do- not my husband or friends to enforce on me. At first, yes. But now, no. I can truly say today that even if I had no blocks in place and £10k in my account that I wouldn't gamble. However, I don't want to ever have thAt option so will keep all my blocks in place forever. 

I never thought I could do this, but I can. You can too. I think owning up has to be a good move and putting the blocks in place but there are a million different ways to tackle this addiction and what I've learned is you have to do what's right for you. For me, I had to deal with my head through counselling, I had to tell my husband the truth and I had to have the blocks in place (I definitely needed them in the first few weeks!). 

Heres to another 60 days!