You have said nothing that the rest of us do not know, or understand, or that we haven't said a zillion times before. this works if you work it, just take one day at a time, 5 minutes at a time, whatever it takes to get thru just today without gambling. You haven't gone in over 30 days, that is awesome. Coming here, going to GA, is definitely a step in the right direction. Gather all of the tools that you can to use in recovery, you can never have too many. Use what you need, tuck it away for future reference, and continue on. We work together as a team, journal your thoughts feeling and emotions, tell us how you are feeling, tell us what you are thinking, go back and read thru some of our journals, from beginning to present. We will give you the same love, strength support and encouragement that we have received from each other, cause together, there is nothing that we can't beat. hugs and love

THANK YOU FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT, I FEEL GOOD FOR NOT GOING BUT ALSO MISS GOING VERY MUCH. WHEN I MADE THE DECISION TO QUIT I TOOK ON A 2ND JOB (ALSO NEEDED HELP PAYING ALL THOSE BILLS) SO I WORK ALOT WHICH IS VERY TIRING BUT ALSO HELPS TO STAY BUSY

Being in the same situation as you I understand, my debt is outrages. I am only 7 days GF (as of today) but last week I broke down and told my mom and her husband what was going on and they suprised me by being extremly supported. Though my debt doesn't dissappear and still have the urge to go I am taking it one day at a time. Tonite will be my first meeting. You have been over 30 days GF that is a awesome feat to accomplish. I don't know if you should share with your husband but wanted to let you know I was sick to tell my family and they ended up surprising me by being beside me.

Hi Jude48,
I did the same thing as you, cash withdrawls, skimmed the house money, etc....I was over $20,000 in debt when I stopped taking money off cards. I found a 0% interest credit card and started paying it down. When the zero interest on that ran out, i got another, and so on...I am down to $8,000 and it feels great! I pay a few hundred every week or two, learned to do other things than gamble (like cook and bake and play board games with my kids) It can be done...I did it and so can you....

Great advice from Makmarie. We are all here as family. Stick with us.

I totally know how you feel. I have not shared my story with anyone. I didn't have a husband to have to share my financial matters with (I was married but we didn't combine our finances), and that made it even worse. Noone to be accountable to. A support system is so very important. If there is anyway he would understand and help, it is so worthwhile. Unfortunately, my husband used it against me and made it even worse for me where we would fight and my coping was to gamble. All I know, is get in the mindset to "take control" of your life. Control it so it doesn't control you anymore. One step in front of the other. And trust me, I know exactly how hard it is because I'm telling myself the same thing and failing miserably. You have made it a long way so far. through the hardest time...keep going....don't give up. As soon as you take control, then you will be able to control how to communicate to your family.

Thank all of you so much for the support, I can't tell my husband because I'm so afraid just like you that he will continually use it against me. Every argument we have, he uses anything in my past against me

I am also thousands of dollars in debt due to gambling.
And I just cannot bring myself to tell my husband either.
He is a great guy, but we do not really have a great marriage. So it is hard to tell him anything important.
But this would really be bad. He would say things like DAH! I told you so! and things that just feel bad to me. And I am already beating myself up as bad as possible.
The good news is that I pay all the bills with my own money. So he does not know and will not know unless I die or something....which at times just does not sound so bad! I had not gone to the local casino in several weeks, and just had to go yesterday. Lost about 700 dollars.
They do not even have enough jackpots in the place to give me back the money I have lost!
And the time spent away from my family is even harded to replace. Yet, I woke up this morning and wanted to go back again.
I HATE THIS! I WANT TO STOP!

"The truth will set you free" it is very important to come clean with your husband. Tell him everything. Your recovery will not start until honesty begins.