People appearing on forum ranting about money & financial advice

Sorry but don't agree. This is a forum for anyone who is affected by gambling to post how they feel and hopefully get some good advice on how to move forward. That advice can be about stopping gambling, dealing with the losses and debt, relationship issues due to gambling or any other problem they have because of it. Loads of people come on asking for help and unfortunately many do not continue the conversation and make progress, but there any loads that do so I have no problem with anyone reaching out for help no matter what for as I was once in their shoes and am still fighting the demons this  addiction creates nearly 16 months after stopping. Debt and gambling run hand in hand as it is the debt and the forlorn hope of the big win which keeps us in the downward spiral so stopping and getting help with the debt also run side by side.

I agree with @bladesman. Gambling addiction is an illness and causes many other side effects. This should feel like a safe space for people to discuss their gambling just as much as the side effects that it causes. 

Quite often, those side effects end up making the addiction worse. Chasing losses because you're in desperate need of money, feeling depressed after losing a partner etc... can cause people to gamble even more. It's all connected and people should feel comfortable discussing any and every part of it.

Posted by: maxmaher

Noticing A LOT of posts recently where people are appearing and complaining they have lost too much money , going into endless detail about loans , overdrafts credit cards they have got and then disappearing  just to reappear when they have done it again

The last time i checked this was a gambling recovery forum , not a debt recovery forum ?

What exactly do you want us too say ? 

We are all here because we have gambling problems the debt is just a side effect

nobody here is really qualified to console you about your financial situation which i feel is what's going on a lot of the time 

debt and the gambling are two separate issues that must be dealt with separately , just posting about how much you owe and how terrible your life is wont solve anything .

Apologies for the rant it just seems to be getting ridiculous on here 

 

Inconsiderate post. Debt is a side effect agreed but so is deteriorating mental and physical health, losing friends and family relationships and everything else.

You mention about us not being qualified in financial advice? Well the majority of us on here are not qualified in giving advice about all the other ‘side effects’ either. This is a place to console each other and talk about things.

You also mention that people will disappear and come back on here again. Well what do you expect to happen? We are addicted and there are lots of problem gamblers on here, it’s what happens until we take a different course of action. 

It’s a place of togetherness, people will talk about debt. 

Agree with Mr L and Blades, really good points, it’s not easy being addicted/recovering from gambling.

Gambling addiction is a multifaceted issue and people on here should feel free to open up about all aspects of how gambling affects their lives. If you're reading Maxmahers post and now feel less inclined to post about your gambling and debt issues please ignore what he said and post your story. We are all here to help and support anyone.

Posted by: Winterishere

Gambling addiction is a multifaceted issue and people on here should feel free to open up about all aspects of how gambling affects their lives. If you're reading Maxmahers post and now feel less inclined to post about your gambling and debt issues please ignore what he said and post your story. We are all here to help and support anyone.

 

+1, could not agree more

When you get far enough in recovery you realise it’s not about the money it’s about the choice. Said choice can lead into a disaster financially and many people are in there own loops posting about their losses and so right they should be imo. people come and go and this can stretch from a few weeks to decades.

the biggest jackpot I have ever won was trying to help these people brake the loop and start a new journey away from gambling, every word I write on this forum is free and making me win back myself while also helping others get back to themselves too and improving life away from gambling.

do I think I have all the answers, 100% no but I can share my experiences which people may be able to relate too and see the choices I have made in which has improved my life and may do so there’s.

I do find people sharing amounts of money gambled or in debt hard to take too in different ways but some times people just need to let it out as well as their bleeding hearts of the mental strains it has put on themselves, we have all been there.

I am currently on day 42 since I last gambled and I have made leaps further in my recovery with my own discipline by walking away from triggers that know doubt send me down the path of gambling again. Failing and coming back just like many people who come here has made me a better person than I was 90 days into the last time I was gamble free.

all we do on this site is console and try to point them in the right direction for further help and support and if people need to post about sums at first then it’s very understandable.

peace

dave101

Hi maxmaher

You asked a question " What do you want us to say ? ". I think a lot of people want people to  tell them they are not alone, others can identify & most importantly accept what's gone is gone & it ain't never coming back. I've seen many desperate souls on here destroyed by horrendous losses. In my opinion they want people to say I've been there & there is a way out of this s---thole. No we ain't qualified to give financial advice but can point people in the right direction.

What really worries me about your post is the amount of CGs who've lost wives/husbands where they've said enough is enough. Do we get tired of those people & tell them we're not marriage guidance counsellors & ask them what they want us to say ?. Gambling addiction is toxic & creates a multitude of problems some even talk about ending it. We are not psychologists sure. Do we simply ask " What do you want me to say " ? or become pro-active in trying to point people in the right direction before it's too late.

Best

Al

@maxmaher

To be honest, I don't think you should be judging people like this. I know you commented on my old post but since deleted your comment after proving to you that I got most of my debt written off.

It is actually quite sad and shocking how you openly judge people like this, showing complete lack of understanding and not acknowledging that the fact is; compulsive gambling is a 'mental disorder'. It is classed as a disability whether you like it or not, if you don't want to help those in need then please educate yourself more - seems you are living a nice life, if only we all can be like you....