Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...
Assuming this is your husband/partner, and this is not the first time this has happened, you might think about seeking some help. 1-800-522-4700 is the National Problem Gambling help line, and they can tell you what resources are in your area. I took advantage of free counseling in my state. Separate your money from your partner's so that you are not able to spend their money. Think about giving up management of the money if your partner is trustworthy and wants help. Do what ever you can to get blocks between your money and gambling. Schedule other things to do with friends on trigger days (perhaps Fridays and paydays). Revive hobbies, visit friends, exercise, meditation and artwork all can help get through an urge to gamble. Writing out a goodbye to gambling can help, re-read it if you have an urge. Make an honest effort and try anything and everything to stop this awful compulsion, because it can absolutely lay ruin to your life.
I came very close to suicide and insanity behind gambling and I do not want to return to that hell.
My husband busted me more than once in my addiction, I know it’s scary and it hurts. I can’t blame him for being so angry with me, despite the fact I longed for some compassion from him. I wanted to tell him everything, but to him it was just more blah, blah blah, he didn’t want to hear it, he just wanted me to stop! Me, too, I wanted it to magically stop because I confessed. Magic doesn’t work that way. However, he did sling a cliche at me that actually started to make some sense, “actions speak louder than words”,.. so here’s what I really want to try to convey you, this is your recovery, no matter what, please know you’re doing this for you, and yes, actions do speak louder than words,
Today I will not gamble