Hi Michael and welcome to the forum. Is there someone in your personal life that you would trust to help you with your finances? In the beginning asking us to have uncontrolled access to money is like asking a crack addict to carry around a bag of crack. It would be so difficult to just abstain. I had someone control my finances and only give me a small allowance for the first little while. Then, because it became difficult to manage a household that way I had my accountant family member monitor my bank account. I provided them with original receipts (so I couldn’t return items without it showing on the receipts I gave them). I had hit rock bottom and my shame kept me gambling free in the beginning. But I knew that it would pass eventually. This gave me a layer of protection, an extra barrier to make sure I protected my money from me!
I’m happy to see that your employer treated you as you likely advocate for addicts to be treated. With fairness and respect. With an opportunity to correct the problem and treat the illness. Addicts of all types come from all walks of life. When the illness is treated they become mostly empathetic productive members of society. And after all, they are usually our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, other relatives or friends. We should give the same kindness and love to our self as we would to another who is struggling. Keep tackling this addiction from all sides. You are taking many positive steps. You CAN have a gamble free life once again. Take care, Laura

Hello Michael and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

Hi Michael,

I will repeat my initial advice here so that you have everything one place.

Welldone on looking for help.

Well done on arranging the self exclusion and getting your counselling session set up.

You are worried about when you next get paid? Good, now you can use that awareness. Read the other stories in the My Journal Forum and you will see that financial barriers and accountability help. Who could help you with this? A family member you trust maybe? Put thigns in plaec to limit your access to gambling funds and payday becomes just another day. Arrange that accountability, I strongly suggest you do this BEFORE payday.

At this point you don’t need to understand your addiction – you need to put thigns in place so that you can’t act on it. That will give you the breathing space you need to start work on recovery.

You can stop gambling I promise you.