I’m struggling to cope with the aftermath of a horrific addiction to gambling which has ruined my life. Lost both parents and gambled to cope with bereavement. I don’t see how I can recover from the knowledge of huge financial loss, waking every day knowing how different my life could have been. Inheritance money gone and gambled away in a frenzy of self destruction. Is there a way forward?
Hi... so sorry to hear about the situation in which you find yourself. There is always a way forward.
I think it starts with coming to terms with what you have done. The money is gone and it ain't coming back. There really is no point in dwelling on it though I can understand how hard this is to do in practice. Maybe get yourself a bit of counselling like support.
Maybe the next thing to do is start to have some sort of plan for the future, something to work towards, something to get yourself feeling better about yourself. Find a bit of purpose and joy away from gambling. If you decide to carry on gambling you will only get more of the same, as I know only to well. When we stop gambling life can start to get better.
All the best
thank you for the advice. I’m hoping long term this will make me a better person and at least I’m working. Where there’s life there’s hope I guess. So hard when colleagues are talking about buying houses etc and I have this dark secret. I can’t look back tho and I know this happened because I couldn’t cope with watching both parents fade away with dementia and Parkinson’s.
yes I work with a lot of people with debilitating illnesses in older age. It must be very hard for the loved ones.
As for the buying houses thing, don't let it grind on you. Am over 50 now. I will never own my own home and that's fine. It really isn't the end of the world. It all means nothing when we cross to the other side anyway.
Keep focussed on not gambling. Life will get better.
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