Break ups are never easy. I broke up with my wife when I was about 5 years gambling free and of course thoughts turned to it. My gambling head was saying, “well I am on my own now – it is up to me what I do with my life … I can block the pain I feel by playing slots.”
The more rational side of me thought – “hang on … I am really hurting at the moment. Losing has always been painful. Why should I pile more pain onto myself by gambling?”
I got through those early days by pampering myself – by going out with friends a lot – not cutting myself off … and by picking up some of my other interests.
It will be tough – hopefully you can still be friends. It is hard to lose both a partner and a friendship – treat yourself gently and get as much support for yourself as you can. Share if you need to.