Hi Rdy4,
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nMy family at the time already knew about my gambling – from seeing the various messes I had gotten into, I never saw my mum as happy as when I first told her I was going to Gamblers Anonymous.
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nThere is no easy way to tell someone, and no guarantees as to their reaction, but what does make it better is to not just present the problem. Instead tell them what you are going to DO about it. My family had heard all my words and promises previously so there was no reason fort them to believe me. it was my ACTIONS in going to GA, making myself accountable so that I couldn’t gamble secretly that gave them cause to think “Hmm, maybe he means it this time.”
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nLater, in recovery, I told my then girlfriend, now wife, pretty much everything. She didn’t know me when i was gambling but it was important to tell her. If nothing else the relationship wouldn’t have lasted long if I disappeared secretly each week on my meeting night. Before we married i also told my Mother In Law – told her that if her daughter ever told her I had stopped going to GA she was to drive up and boot my ar$e!
