Dear (((Lorraine)))! I’m so sorry that you are having such difficulty finding the right support for yourself. Some people that answer crisis lines or are mental health therapists are just not qualified to understand addiction and mental health problems, as their knowledge is from books and they haven’t had enough life experiences to truly understand. I used to be one of those and when I had a man come to see me for gambling addiction, I truly didn’t understand and gave him some suggestions about taking a different route home, etc. I meant well but didn’t understand the compulsiveness of this gambling behavior. I met with the director of the addiction office seeking help with my addiction and she told me she didn’t understand gambling addiction, and asked me to tell her about it. One would think that she would have qualified staff seeing as we have a casino and a huge gambling problem in the town I live in. As disheartening as your attempts to get the help you want have been, keep looking for help and support. I know that you are at a very low point in your life, and I wonder if it would be helpful to write down the good things in your life and focus on them. I know that sounds trite but it’s a starting point, and it isn’t going to solve your life problems but it may make you feel a little more positive about your life. Moment by moment you can change your life. Carole
