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...

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BrandyH 02/07/2018

Please help! I am debating whether to tell my husband about my gambling addiction. Timely must be considered because he just lost his mother and I don't want to put anything else on him right now. I have been married for almost 28 years. Two years ago, I started casually playing the slots. I would go to the casino no more than twice a month. I would win and leave. Then, started going on my day off, which is every Friday. I used cash advanced on two credit cards. Eventually, I ran out of money. Then, I took money out of our house account. I put it back when I got paid. Sometime around June of 2017, I realized I have a gambling problem. I tried to stop but was unsuccessful. Fast forward to last night. I went to the casino and lost $1700 from our house account. Now, I am worried/scared my husband will notice the money missing before I can put it back. I want to stop gambling. I am tired of living this secret life. I have been living pay check to pay check for the last 6 months. Every time I get extra cash, I go to the casino. Enough is enough. I want to stop. I want to tell my husband. HELP!!! HELP!!! HELP!!!

BrandyH 02/07/2018

What a day! I told my husband about my gambling addiction and he was so supportive. He asked a lot of questions. I’m sure there’s will be more. I’’m looking into counseling and GA. I also ask him to help me. He will handle all our finances. No more taking money out the account. I told him everything. He’s knows about loans with high interest rates to support my addiction. It feels like a weight has been lifted offf my shoulder. I believe in the power of prayer and I pray God gives me the strength and will power to beat this thing. I know it’s going to difficult but I’m ready to fight. I want my life back! My joy and peace!.

yes2recovery 02/07/2018

Whew! I know you must feel so relieved, and I'm relieved for you! Really glad your husband is supportive. You took some huge steps today. Take a deep breath, and just keep doing the next right thing as you start on this journey. Please keep posting - we're here with you!

Wandering 02/07/2018

Well, it seems you got the courage to speak to him. Well done and that he's supportive and caring means he understands and wants to help you. Next up, if you can find one, a GA meeting is for you. There are "Open" meetings which your spouse can attend or gam-anon for spouses of addicted gamblers..

Best wishes and prayers to you and husband.

nb18 02/07/2018

That’s great! I’m so happy you told him and even happier that he’s being supportive. It’s so scary, but I had that same feeling of pure relief that someone finally knew the horrible secret.
I hope you find a meeting and take care of you. You can do this!

Getting_Out 02/08/2018

Glad you told him and glad he was so supportive! That must be such a relief for you. I was in the same boat as you, all of us here were. I started going once in awhile and then it turned into once a week and so on. It hasn't been that long for me that I stopped but at least I'm trying. I always think that maybe my problem is that I'm not in a relationship and that if I was ...it might be different. Everything out there seems to be directed towards a couple and not so much a single person. At least it seems that way to me. Anyway ....I hope everything works out for you and we are all here for you if you need us. Good luck !

jasonl 02/08/2018

I envy those who were able to come forward. I was never able to do that. I continued making poor choices until I was caught, and trying to talk your way through that is impossible. I wonder sometimes what my wife's reaction would have been had I just told her what I was doing and asked for help. Can't go back in time unfortunately.

Congrats on day 1 of making the right decisions, I promise you won't regret it!

Robin-Mc 02/09/2018

I’m glad you found the courage to be honest with your husband. It’s also really going to help you if he takes over the finances. Now on to recovery. This is a horrible addiction, and there is no cure. But it’s possible to lead a healthier life by not feeding our addiction, it’s a one day at a time recovery.
Today I will not gamble

BrandyH 02/09/2018

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support. Definitely, taking it one day at a time. Going to my first GA meeting next Wednesday. Looking into counseling as well.

Qwit4Good 02/10/2018

The pain for the spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend in the dark is being in the dark. The longer they are kept there the more the relationship and trust is broken. They can be your best ally in fighting this.
I am single but I needed every friend I have to help me get this addiction in check.

jeffneedshelp 02/12/2018

Great job being honest and open!

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