Out of debt but emotionally bankrupt

Hi WTB

The emotional emptiness is difficult to deal with. It is something that does not dissapear overnight. I am struggling with a simular problem at the moment. I probably cannot give you answers on how to deal with this as I have not reached a point where I am satisfied with my own emotional state of mind. However there are lots of people here on this site who have overcome this difficulty and can offer better support than I can.

The fact that you have not gambled for 3 months is a great achievement! Continue to do better things for yourself as this will encourage possitivity. I know during my initial recovery this was a tremendous aid. Triggers are always lurking in the background trying to lure us in. I was enjoying a great recovery and bang one silly slip up and it reeled me straight back in. Not only straight back in but 10x worse. All I can say is if you have support use it in those difficult times because it is so easy to get sucked back in.

I was clean for over 6 mths and one bad decision put me six months into further debt and my emotional state is so bad had a mini breakdown in tesco this week, I would not wish that for anyone. I could use a cliche'and say stay focused on the positive, but you know that already.

I hope you can start to feel good soon.

Take care,

Hi Z13 ,

Thank you for your reply ! That does give me support you know !

I also can see " my wall " coming at me , since I am not gambling all these emotions can come up and come out ..

What happend to you , when you had a mini breakdown if I may ask ? I appreciate your kindness and sharing your story , these kind of forums are so important because we are not alone with these struggles .

At this point I am beginning more and more to open up to the people I trust around me about my problem gambling and that does bring some relief.

I also hope you are doing well , please take care .

Hi WTB

Thanks for your encouraging reply . I guess my breakdown occurred because I always have so much going on and things just got too overwhelming. I lost control and freaked out.

I struggle to express emotion and I do not know how to deal with negative emotion. I guess the only way I know how is to gamble.

I have had one of the most awful days today and I am struggling to stay Away from the arcades bookies etc... I am currently sitting in my car and typing this message because I do not know if I have a job anymore. At the moment my accommodation is linked to my job and so may lose both.

Sorry I am being so negative just feel really low right now.

I hope you are managing to keep gamble free and are coping with all your emotions. It is good you are able to trust more people with your gambling problem. If you have people you can rely on it will get you through those tough times.

I hope all is well. Take care

Hi Z13 ,

Your situation sounds unstable at this time , don't put more stress on yourself by gambling , you know you will feel worse in the end .

It is important that you know already that you struggle with negative emotion , maybe you can talk with GamCare or get yourself counseling for relief ? Take it easy , give yourself some time to sort things out , don't go back to gambling , because that is not solving ANY problem , just adding to your problem and make it worse then it actualy is right now . I also have anxiety attacks at times , concentrate on the breathing out is getting you calm again . You can deal with what your situation is or gonna be by not gambling 😉

Keep yourself save and take care .

Hi WTB

Thanks for taking the time to write such an honest reply. I guess it's kind of strange how just the right words at the right time have such an incredible effect. I did not gamble last night and I have managed to not gamble today. You are right gambling is not going to make anything go away. That is reality!

I have managed to take some time out today and do something that I actually wanted to do. Something I would recommend.

I hope you are ok and looking after yourself too.

Thanks again!!!