Hi, and well done on looking for help. You are not alone with this problem. Read the other stories here and you will see a lot that you will relate to. You will also read the success stories – what are they doing that you can apply to your own situation?
Well done on registering wth Gamstop and excluding from those casinos. Another barrier you will read about is to do with the finances and accountability – your husband could help with that.
The debt was a trigger for you? Yes, it would have been. Though of course much of that debt was caused by gambling. This addiction does kid people that it can be the solution to our problems when it is of course the cause of most of them.
There is a lot of support available to you in the UK. Here of course where we have these forums, support groups and a 1 to 1 helpline. Gamcare is also an option – they offer free counselling. Gamblers Anonymous groups, even residential support. The important thing it to use help – if any of us could do it on our own then none of us would be here.
When it comes to the debts get some proper financial advice. Stepchange offer this advice free. https://www.stepchange.org/ There are lots of options these days – from bankruptcy through to repayment plans, with a lot in betwee, They will talk your options through with you and even write to your creditors on your behalf. When things are in place you can then just focus on the manageable weekly/monthly payment, it’s less daunting then and less likely to be a trigger than any big scary total.
Show your husband this site – there is also a Frends and Family forum where he can get support.
Keep posting and let us know the positie steps you are taking. The actions that will help you stop gambling are the same actions that can help rebuild trust etc.