I finally managed to tell her.

Hi dan , well done on the 600 days ! I've finally told my wife about my 22,000 gambling debt and she's been really good so far , sounds strange but I look younger for it and feel much better , crazy how much damage to your health gambling can do ! I know it will take a while to pay back but it's not like I owe it to a friend or family member ! I wish u dan and everyone else the best of luck getting over gambling addiction . Just to finish when I told my wife I'd made a big decision that was if she leaves then that's the way it's got to be and a concequentce of my actions if she stays then I'm no longer on my own with it ! Thankfully she has stayed I know this might not be the same for everyone but gambling dishonest to the core and bottom line even if u end up with nothing u can hold your head up for at least giving your wife a choice ! The truth will free u

Hi Nights

Well done. Not an easy decision to make but deffinatly the best one you've made in while.

I was in exactly the same position and I think it was all I needed to help get me pointing in the right direction.

I felt exactly the same with my partner back when I told her. So many years of lies had come to a head and I just felt like I wanted to tell the truth. Finally felt like she should have the choice and if her choice was to leave, then again like you, at least that choice was hers and not a decision forced on her by my lies.

Now it's time to build bridges. Pit what's important in front of you and leave all those horrible gut wrenching feelings behind you in the past where they belong.

It will take a while to get a grip of the finances and I would advise it to try and pay off the debt too quickly. Others may say get it cleared asap but if you spread the cost of the dept out a bit more, it's less of burden to your life. If you constantly can't afford to do anything or treat your wife for putting up with you, it's a trap you may find yourself to get out off by gambling again. So find an amount you are comfortable with paying off but at the same time, give yourself enough money to still treat the wife.

One last bit of advice I stand by.... all ways give yourself something to look forward too on key achievable dates. Something small at say 1 week and 1 month like a meal with the Mrs at your faveroute restaurant. 6 months can be something a little bigger and 1 year again something bigger. But all ways have these things pre-booked. This will help you keep you on straight and narrow. If your thinking I won't be able to afford it, then that's rubbish. The most important thing to do is get a hold of your feelings towards gambling. If it means holding off paying the debt off for a few months and using the money to treat yourself then do that. Don't beat yourself up constantly, that will only ever end up going one way. Treat yourself well, like you deserve and you will get there.

If you ever need any help then post on here as there are many people that have probably gone through what you have already and will be able to give you some advice.

Well done on telling the wife. It's a massive step in the right direction but all the hard work is still come!

Hi all

Just thought i would pop by and say hi. I haven't had a lot of time to myself recently. Anyone with a thriving 7 month old little boy will be able to relate to why!!

George is a little beauty. Love him to bits. He is my world and his smile just melts me everytime.

Life is as good as it has ever been and just thought i would pop in to just keep you updated on my progress.

I would lie if i don't think, i wonder what would happen if i just deposit a little money and see of i can win something. I still have those horroble thoughts and reminitions of the feelings i no longer get and they do still draw me towards gambling again. I have just learnt there is a new place in my brain where i tell those thoughts to go and it does as it's told.

709 days gamble free today and counting. Not a single day goes by where i regret making the decision to stop gambling.

Hope you are doing well.

Keep strong!

Hello Old friend :))

Glad all's well in your world with little man keeping you on your toes :)) My daughter presented me with a Grandson 7 weeks ago and I know first hand how those smiles melt your heart . Had we still been in action sadly they'd probably have struggled to keep our attention for long , with us looking for an excuse to run off to the bookies or some site of ill repute , so it's great that for once in our lives were focused on the important things for a change :)) .

I'm glad those thoughts of your's are being sent packing but can understand them happening as I occasionally still get athought or two but much like yourself send them packing without too much effort these day's , weve both come too far now to ever consider going back to that awfull way of life and I'd never risk throwing it all away :)) .

So nice to hear your update Dan and I wish you continuing health and happiness my friend .

Until the next time

Take care and all the best

Alan :))

Lovely post Dan.

I've read through your diary which has been quite a journey. You've stuck to your guns to continue putting life before gambling. Your happiness and appreciation of family shines on.

Well done you.

Thanks Alan. Great to hear about your grandson!! You get all tje best bits and get pass him back when you get whiff of sonething not quiet right. Lol.

Can't beleive how quickly our boy os growing up. He is crawling, standing up and never sits still, so he keepong me busy that's for sure!!

Thanks Change. It really was a tough choice but i remeber day 1 like it was yesterday. The look on my parteners face and that pain i caused her. Thats all i remeber and will never go back to that person that was capable of doing that.

I just hope people read my diary with an open mind. I have been honest throughout and hope that it helps people to make the right choice. As Alan said above, there is no way i could ever go back either.

Hello everyone.

Just thought I'd swing by. Its been 2 years since I last posted. Whatever's the reason for me coming back, I hear you ask? Well, today I made the final payment of my debt and am now debt free. After the last few years, my life has changed ever so much and now all of the debt is paid off, life is heading in the right direction. Gamble free and debt free is the way to be. Never will I ever let this horrible disease, get me again.

Much love, stay strong!!!

Dan

Hello Old friend :)) . 

Great to hear from you Dan and that everything's still good in life 🙂 , When people don't update as much I always wonder what's happening and live in hope that all good 🙂 . 

Congratulations on the final debt payment, that must be a huge relief . I'm not quite there yet but it's happening albeit slowly but at least it's not going up like in our old day's before we saw sense . 

So I'm guessing little man must be about or nearly four now ? , wow that's scary how quickly the years go now man ?? . 

Glad to hear from you mate and that everything's good and as always its a pleasure to be walking alongside you still .

Much love and happiness buddy and stay in touch 🙂 

Alan  

Dan, I have just read your whole diary from start to finish. Wow! Your really are an inspiration. Stay strong and keep doing what you are doing 🙂