6 months gamble free on the 25th

Hello everyone. Well it's almost been 6 months since I have entered a casino.... the 25th to be exact.
I'm still following my everydollar budget and it's working. My hubby and I have paid off about 18 000 of the 185 000( 100 000 my hidden gambling debt) unsecured debt (4 months on the budget)... barely a dent I know but it's very satisfying. I don't know where we find the extra but it's obvious I was spending more than I realized by far. My new obsession is becoming debt free instead of gambling. I guess I replaced one for the other..LOL
I would highly recommend the everydollar budget tool online or any similar tool to get started. If you have acquired a mountain of debt due to gambling this will help you gain control of your finances and help you track your progress. Tackle one debt at a time and get the ball rolling.
I still get stressed out and I still feel guilty ...but I try to just keep moving forward towards the goal.
Thankfully my hubby has been very supportive and doesn't throw my mistakes in my face or bring them up to make me feel bad. I know I have put him under a tremendous amount of stress as well.
Telling the secret was what has worked for me ..accountability.
Anyone on here trying to keep the secret .Don't do it. Tell your spouse.
Best wishes to all..

Wow well done traced
I agree tell your spouse, I couldn't have resolved the debt I had created without my husband's help.
He was pretty mad and upset obviously, but we weathered the storm, like you I feel very guilty but it's in the past, can't change it can only keep moving forward.
Accountability is a very strong motivator when fighting this addiction.

FANTASTIC.

Congrats on this new path of paying debt.

For me (addict) : I thought gambling was a financial problem-- but I see that it actually is an emotional problem.

If you find yourself struggling with other parts of life while you're resolving your financial damage try a GA meeting or some sort of therapy. Everyone's recovery is different. Some don't need a real recovery.

I think addicts/compulsive gamblers may need a different solution that someone who is a "problem gambler".

If you find yourself, even after swearing off gambling after you've corrected this accounting issue, back in action don't hesitate to find help.

That is a wonderful update Traced !

I also went through the " reverse obsession " . It passed with time as my debt went down and my relationship with money returned to normal . Money is important , but no longer the main focus of my thoughts .

uskat wrote:For me (addict) : I thought gambling was a financial problem-- but I see that it actually is an emotional problem.

This is true for me as well . Simply getting rid of the debt was only the first step in my recovery . I needed to understand the What and Why that fueled my desire to hide and " forget everything " . It was not a comfortable introspection , but it was a necessary one .

Uskat is right - every recovery is different and not everyone gambles to escape . But for those of us that do , I believe that understanding what we are trying so desperately to avoid facing can be an important part of our healing .

I hope you visit the forum on your 6 month milestone , so we can celebrate it with you !

6 months is a huge milestone.
My record was about 2 months a couple of years ago.

You give the best advice (which may not suit everyone) - but telling a partner/relative/freind is such a massive step

Day 17 for me

Congrats on the 6 months, that is huge!!