I started gambling again after seven years & I’m worried I’ll lose everything

DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER seven years of staying away from online gambling, I’m back on all the same sites – and new ones.

Every evening I spend hours on them and I am ultimately spending far more than I should.

I’m so disappointed with myself for giving in again, having kicked the habit once already.

I’m 46 and currently separating from my wife, she’s 48.

She has one side of the house and I have the other.

The only room we share is the kitchen and even then we have different shelves.

It is so sad and I admit that I feel miserable.

We simply have nothing in common any longer.

The problem is that I am secretly gambling away my savings – the money I will need to set up a new home and forge ahead with a new life.

Last night I lost £75.

If I carry on like this, I will have spent my entire savings account on gambling.

The worst part is, I know I’m being stupid and wish I could put an end to this but most nights, I slip back into the same bad routine.

Last time I was gambling I spent nearly £4,500 before my wife realised what I was doing.

She wasn’t pleased but she did help me.

This time I haven’t got that support and I’m worried I’ll lose everything.

DEIDRE SAYS: Separating from your wife while still living together is a tough place to be.

You did really well to kick your gambling habit before and you will be able to do it again.

It’s no coincidence this problem has flared up again just at the point when you are feeling low and looking for a distraction from all those troubling feelings.

Just as some hit the bottle or turn to drugs, you have once again turned to gambling to try and cope with the turmoil in your life.

Changing your routine that leads up to gambling will help.

So that if you reach for the gambling apps at night when you feel lonely and low, think about getting out and seeing friends or joining a club.

Could you go and visit a relative and cook dinner for them instead?

Ultimately you will need to tackle the issue that is triggering you, but you can get help.

My support pack Gambling Problems will help you to understand your issue better and tell you where to get help.