I gambled my children’s birthday present money away
DEAR DEIDRE: I GAMBLED my children’s birthday present money away, and now I’ll never forgive myself.
Nobody knows what happened because I borrowed money to get them gifts, but I’m deep in debt and have had to lie to my partner, which has created distance between us.
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I’m a 43-year-old woman, and don’t know who I am any more.
The gambling addict I see in the mirror is a stranger.
When I started playing games online, it was just for fun because I was stuck at home and bored in lockdown.
Now, I can’t stop. Whenever I’m alone, or even under the bed covers at night, I gamble.
I keep hoping I can win enough to pay off my debts, but instead I always end up in even more trouble.
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I feel so anxious and ashamed.
If I come clean to my partner, who is 45, I’m scared he’ll leave me and take the kids.
DEIDRE SAYS: Asking for help is the first step to overcoming this. You need to be honest with your partner, apologise and ask for his support.
Explain how you feel and ask if he’ll help you to fix your problem and your relationship.
My support packs on Gambling Problems and Solving Debt Problems will show you where to seek help.