DMP advice required.

cottonbud12

Hi, I've been a member on here for quite some time but generally just a reader to get advice. Now is the time that I could do with some advice. 
In a nutshell, due to issues with gambling and mental health over the years, I have run up huge credit card debts (approx £36k). I am completely ashamed of myself but as an addiction, I was only happy when gambling. I feel I now have this under control and would like to start getting back on track. 
I was until recently in a highly paid job (£66k per year) but due to Covid-19, I have had to change jobs due to being no longer required and looking at a significant reduction in income to around £30k per year. This is going to severely impact my ability to repay my debts, technically by only just managing the minimum payments per month. 
Part of me is thinking about getting a £30k loan to pay back at £500 per month for about 7 years, which whilst not clearing my total credit card debt and turning this in to a fixed payment per month, will potentially alleviate some of the stress I am under. 
I've researched other options on Stepchange and their recommendation (online) was a DMP. The thing is, I am married but whilst my other half knew I used to gamble quite heavily, they do not know the significance of my debts and it would destroy us if they were to find out. We own our home outright and I cannot re-mortgage or sell the house as again, I cannot involve my partner in my situation. 
So, my question is, do I attempt to ride this matter our hoping I can secure a better salary going forward, aim to repay my credit card debts and have absolutely no life or income left whatsoever or take the plunge and seek a DMP. All my creditors are up to date with payments and I have only ever missed one payment, which was an oversight on my behalf.
Apologies for the long post and thanks in advance for any advice. 

Grumpelstiltskin

A partnership is sharing, sharing the bad as well as the good.
I don't understand how you would carry on not telling your partner the truth, maybe that's me but are you being fair to your partner by hiding your debt?

Malkytheheed

You have to tell your partner about your debt. It won't be easy. But if it ends your relationship then it wasn't right to begin with. It's for better or worse. 

As for the debt, you can't pin your hopes on a better salary, and don't consolidate either. You need to start paying it down, with every spare penny you have. You need to out up an accurate SOA so we can see your income and expenses

sourcrates

Well I for one like to keep money issues to myself, but due to the nature of the debt, and the amount, it may impact the person you live with, so they may find out anyway.

I can categorically tell you now, borrowing more money is not the answer, if your on fire, you don’t add more fuel now do you, I know it’s always the first thing people look at, consolidation, but unless you address the reasons why you got into debt in the first place, you risk running up those lines of credit again, and you will be left with twice the debt, many bankrupts consolidated their debt more than once.

DMP is probably the answer, that along with a decision from you to never gamble again, otherwise you will never crack the debt.