A lot of the debt is on credit cards that have a 0% interest offer for 24 months, so will endeavour to pay as much back as I can through that. My girlfriend (looking like being ex girlfriend soon) knows about the gambling and debt. I have no money to gamble at the moment, so will not be gambling for the foreseeable. Attempting to take it a day at a time and keep occupied with other things.
I kept my issues with gambling/debt caused by gambling to myself for a long time and eventually told my girlfriend and family. Felt like a weight hand been lifted in doing this, but I’ve still lost a lot of money after telling them.
The difficulty is that I don’t think people understand, unless they’ve been in a similar situation. It’s been an odd few months-I’m doing well in work and enjoy my job, studying part time and enjoy the course and then there’s the gambling. It was kept a secret. Difficult when people don’t know. With other addictions, other aspects of your life may suffer, but gambling had no impact on work or college. It has become an issue in my relationship, but that may turn out to be another cost.
Charles, Lizbeth – thanks for posting.