My first step in the long recovery ahead......

Good luck to you,

I am on the other side of this, dealing with an addict and trying understand how and why.

I feel for you and your spouse, not an easy thing for someone who isn't an addict to understand.  Although my wife knows I have a problem, she doesn't know the financial extent of it.  I hate to talk to it around Christmas but I will in the next week and offer some joint counselling.  

Day 1 of my journey, I reached out to a friend who is a one year in recovering alcoholic for support which helped.  I am focusing on the positives in my life and how my life will be better without gambling.  Removing bad habits for good, going to go for an hour walk by the lake to see the beauty in this world!

Good luck and remember I walk with you on this recovery 

Weve all been there feeling alone/isolated/self loathing/full of anger and emotion whilst knowing its your own doing etc etc. Just have to draw a line under it

Stop now, start the new job and make a concious plan to pay off X amount a month towards the credit cards etc.

Easy to talk a good talk though and a month down the line once you are feeling happy again, start all over again.

Have u thought about registering to gamstop to restrict your access and maybe pay your wages into your wifes account etc? 

Thanks for the message Bluelagoon.  I do have a plan on the credit cards as interest rates are crazy so I figure I should get that paid off in the next few months and after that I am closing them all out.  I totally agree, you need a good plan in place and also deal with the emotional side or easy to slide again.  I am going to register for gamstop once I get the rest of my money out of the sports betting account.  I can only withdraw a certain amount a week so will take two months to get it all out.   I wish I could just get it all out in one shot.  

Thanks Craig for the support! 

Well just one day in and I was so tempted to put a bet on the Monday football game which is a ritual for me.  I even logged in and had funds in there already that can't be cashed out yet and resisted.  Small win I guess as I ran through the outcome, if I won the bet, it would reinforce that I can make money back and cause the cycle to reset and for me to go even deeper.  On a side note I have given up sports watching, too high risk. 

Having an open betting account for months without betting sounds dangerous to me, even to the most strong willed of gamblers. I would consider giving somebody close to you your password so they can change it & withdraw it for you every week if you are serious about not betting again.

I'm the same in terms of watching tennis/football etc myself though. My partner finds it strange that I cant watch any neutral football (apart from my team) as "theres no point watching it if iv not got a bet as its boring." ... I think that will come with time though.

Im only a month without a bet myself but gamstop & all measures inplace to never bet again. Only had 2 paydays since iv quit and its mad how much iv saved through no betting/nothing to actually buy through lockdown.

Gdluck

Day 2 started my new job with an awesome team, no urges at all and feel extra inspired.  First session scheduled next week with counsellor and planning on attending virtual GA session.  Grateful to have a warm bed and family to come home to.

Day 3 no urges, had a good day at work.  I had a bit of a breakdown and told the family how I have been feeling and some of my set backs with gambling and steps I have taken for help.  My wife was very supportive which felt good to hear.  There is a long road ahead but feeling the urges lesson which is helpful.