Hi nflfan44 – Welcome to the forum and well done on taking a positive step.
Everything you have mentioned (gambling for many many years, regularly gambling away a large portion or all wages, gambling affecting you badly etc) are all things that I can directly relate to, and the same will be true for many others on this forum so know that you are not alone.
I would recommend attending one of the New Members practical advice groups that are held on Monday and Thursday, there you will receive some direct and practical steps that you can help.
One of the things that will be discussed in these meetings is how you can put barriers in place to make it as difficult s possible to bet. The sooner these barriers can be put in place the better and with Cheltenham coming up, it is going to be very important for you to have these barriers in place before then.
Barriers include items such 1)Permanently closing all online betting accounts. 2) Having yourself excluded from live betting shops 3) Reducing or removing access to funds or alternatively making yourself accountable for any money spent be that through a family member or a friend who has visibility of where your money is spent.