Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you ??

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

HI Liam,

welcome to the forum. When we develop a compulsive gambling addiction quite often we are unable to stop until we hit rock bottom. After financial rock bottom we often start thinking dire thoughts! Having deep depression can come next.
It is hard to just „stop” gambling without a lot of support and barriers in place to prevent us from accessing and gambling the money we need to live day to day. Counseling, use of places like this site, Gamblers anonymous, etc can be a help. Having someone control your money so that when it does come in it is going to cover your basic necessities and not also being blown on gambling. You can do this. But you have to want to and you have to want to put in the effort. Take care,
Laura

Hi namliam and welcoem to the forum. Well done on looking for help.

What can you do differently this time before you do get your hands on more money? Read the other stories here and you will see the sort of thing that has helped others stop gambling. Talking honestly to your family would mean they could help you with accountability so that when you do have funds you would not be able to access money to gamble with. Where do you normally gamble? Getting excluded and other barriers would help as well.

You can be done with gambling but the important thing is to take positive actions BEFORE you get funds again and the cycle has a chance to restart,

Keep posting.

The story sounds all too familiar. I was in a similar place. The bankruptcy can help you get back to square one credit wise… but it will do no good if you don’t change your habits. It won’t take away your 401k loan, but they cannot take your 401k in bankruptcy. Do not cash it our, or it will be looked at in a different asset class, and may be liquidated to your creditors. Use this forum for support, only you have the power to control what you do, but I have learned to use the words of others in our same position, and each day, I get a little better.
Good Luck