Hi all,
I wanted to share my story because I think it can be kind of cathartic to type it out and properly face up to it.
For years I'd been good with money I'd had a decent job and managed to save up £15k as well as buying a house in my mid-twenties.
I'd gambled relatively small amounts over a few years and spent a bit on scrathcards but nothing too major.
Then last year, I quit my job and things went south. My girlfriend and I were having trouble and there were other stressors. I found gambling to be an escape. It took me away from the day to day. But I was spending and losing more money. I reasoned that things weren't so bad as I had a lot saved up.
Savings quickly dwindled though. Then I bet more and more. Slots, was my go to-always slots. from the minute I'd wake up to when I went to bed I'd be using online slots on my laptop.
I'd bet thousands of pounds in a session. Then my card was declined. That was bad - I had a £5,000 overdraft. It was a horrific realisation that jerked me back into reality. Like the worst hangover remembering what you've done the night before.
Since then, this has happened two more times. I have now gone from £15,000 savings to £20,000 in debt. in just 6 months.
I'm getting counselling and that's really helpful. Yesterday I took the step to self-exclude from all my accounts.
It's difficult for it to feel real.
Does anyone have any advice on how to come to terms with how long this will take to fix?
Thanks to everyone sharing their own stories.
Hi gbot
Sorry that you are going through a tough time of it.
I suppose it depends on what you mean by "fix". We will never be able to gamble again for fun because that isn't who we are, we are compulsive gamblers and we can't win because we can't stop. However it's not all doom and gloom, by resisting the urge to gamble you can get your life back on track. You are still young so have time to pay off the debt and rebuild your savings, you just need to except that the money is gone and gambling will only make your problems worse.
I wish you the very best of luck in the future.
SIlver
Hi gbot - My story is pretty much a mirror of yours.
Have you made a plan for your debts some people start diaries on Money saving expert to help focus the finances bit and the forum there is really supportive.
Empty2
Great that you are here. Your story is very concise and clear and I think that you can latch onto a plan to pay back debt, stop gambling and feel good again ... you can do this a little at a time and begin to feel good again. It's all going to work out. Staying positive because that is all we really can do. Then things can improve because we believe that they can and we are acting and choosing this way. I tell this to myself. sharing it here. Thanks for your honest post. Yes, things can spiral downward very quickly with cg. tara2
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