Things you can do for yourself now

1. Name what you’re experiencing
Name the harms gambling has caused in your life: financial stress, isolation, constant anxiety, loss of trust, physical symptoms, covering for someone else’s behavior. You may have been minimizing these. The fact that you’re here means something brought you. 

2. Reach out to one trusted person
A friend. A family member. A support community. You don’t need to explain everything. “I’m going through something difficult” is enough to start. The Evive Family & Friends community is available right now, 24/7, and you don’t need to have it together before you show up.

3. Check on your immediate safety
If the situation at home has become volatile, emotionally manipulative, or physically unsafe, your safety comes first. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) is available 24/7 and treats financial abuse and coercive control as the harms they are.

4. Take stock of your finances
Even if it’s frightening to look at your situation, information is power. Check accounts, review recent statements, look at credit reports (free at annualcreditreport.com). If you can’t face this alone, GamFin offers specialized financial counseling for people in exactly this situation — someone can be with you while you assess the status of your finances.

5. Protect yourself financially

• Open a separate bank account in your name only

• Change direct deposit to an account they can’t access

• Set up account alerts to notify you of withdrawals or charges

• Freeze or lower limits on joint credit cards

• Review retirement accounts or property and consult a financial counselor about protection

6. Do something that you know fills your cup.
In the face of overwhelm, you can feel totally frozen or dysregulated. Doing something you know you like can help bring you back to yourself. Do something you know fills your cup. A walk outside. Listening to your favorite album. Exercising or crafting. Then, do this same activity again tomorrow. You’ll be surprised at how a pattern of positive activity can help.