Hi everyone,
im new on this forum although I have been a problem gambler for the last 18 years or so.
I would really appreciate any advice on how for me to proceed with my latest disaster.
I have for years racked up gambling debts and paid them off, occasionally through the assistance of debt management companies.
this time however is different as, although I have a staggering amount of money owed to creditors, I also owe money to approx 40 different work colleagues and the repayment date for most was supposed to be today.
I don’t have a penny to my name and have absolutely no way of paying this back.
I can obviously approach a debt management company (again) for the debt owed to creditors but as for my work colleagues I really don’t know what to do.
I am seriously contemplating suicide although I don’t actually want to go through with it, but I don’t see any other way out at present.
these colleagues/friends have done so much for me and I can’t bring myself to talk them of my situation.
has anyone on here experienced anything similar?
thank you for reading
Dear Chris,
Thank you for posting and welcome to the forum and Gamcare community.
I am deeply saddened to hear of your situation. As you have rightly stated, there are specialist debt charities and organizations such as Stepchange and National Debtline who can provide free, impartial and independent advice for your financial situation with creditors. I would advise you to make contact with them in order to assess your circumstances and hopefully provide a solution which falls in line with your situation.
With respect to monies owed to colleagues. In this situation, it might be advisable to make contact with them and let them know you have ran into financial difficulties and ask for some additional time to repay what you owe and/or negotiate installments. You are under no obligation to inform them of your struggles with gambling if you do not feel comfortable disclosing this information to them, but it is a situation which needs addressing in some way. More so that you know it's being dealt with in a professional and honest manner.
I would also advise that you make contact with us on the helpline Chris so we can talk you through the various support options available to you for your gambling. You can contact us via live chat, Whatsapp and phone (0808 8020 133). You do not need to go through this alone and we are here to listen, advise and support as much as we can. Taking this positive step might help you manage ways to abstain from gambling longer term and thus hopefully rid you of any negative thoughts about how you are perceiving the value of your life.
You have mentioned suicide in your post, which of course concerns us greatly and in this instance, in conjunction with contacting us, I would also recommend contacting The Samaritans via their helpline on 116 123 free from any mobile or landline. They are experts in helping people with those sorts of thoughts Chris and hopefully they can help you shift them.
I really do hope we can support you and put you on a path to recovery and live a life free from gambling Chris. We are here 24/7 and of course, these forums are equally a great source of knowledge, peer support and inspiration.
Please look after yourself in the meantime and we hope to hear from you soon!
Many thanks
Forum Admin
Dear Chris
I just wanted to post a reply as a peer volunteer with experience of watching and supporting a person close to me for many years go through gambling harm.
Firstly, well done for being so open and honest with your words. I hear that you have already been at a point of paying off your debt although I feel that you have forgotten now what that feels like. But shows you have got the skills to do this again.
I have seen how close someone can get to that very lowest point but there is so much hope and help out there. Gamcare is an amazing lifeline, I can vouch to help you on a road to recovery.
Being honest to people who have helped you may help and take the pressure off in some ways.
As the forum suggests reach out and talk to organisations that can truly help, like stepchange and also consider blocking bank accounts. Please see Everything You Need to Know About Bank Gambling Blocks - GamCare . These help you by taking the decision away from gambling with your bank account money.
Bit by bit, day by day you can get there. Try to be kind to yourself each day.
Hope these words to read Chris help to read and know there are lots of people on here that can help and understand how you feel.
Patsy
Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. There is more to life than money and you will get through this. Gambling can be a very embarrassing and misunderstood addiction which makes it very hard to be honest about but I have found that honesty has been the most relieving thing for me. I know you are in the pit of it, the constant and relentless worry and shame, trying to find a solution. There is no quick fix but you can do it and the world is a better place with you in it, even if you can’t see it right now
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