Hi Chez and welcome to GT.
Knowing you are not alone and that help IS available will not solve your immediate problem, but it will give you some consolation for a start. Many here have been in similar situations to your own and with support and advice people do come out at the other end, relieved but never cured, improved but never unscathed.
Gambling is a ruthless, progressive disease that creeps up on us so fast that we feel we are waking up from the most horrible nightmare, which is sadly reality for a CG (Compulsive Gambler). Gambling will take everything.
I came to GT in 2008. If I had been wise/humble/sensible enough to follow the advice I was given then, I would be debt free now. Sadly, I tried to pick and choose and dip in and out of gambling . It took me until the end of 2015 to “wise up”. In the meantime I had lost a six figure sum which I will be repaying for many years to come. I lost my pride, my confidence, my self worth, my value on friendship, family relations, my sleep and eventually my health gave way. Long story short, I had to retire on Disability Pension but by God’s Grace (and a lot of negotiating on my part) I was granted a fairly substantial Retirement sum and what do you know, I gambled it….
Gambling is the one addiction that destroys normal people and brings us to a place which must be next door to Hell.
The good news is there is HOPE. There is HELP. There is a better life ahead. There are no magic wands. My advice to you tonight is to forget everything. Don’t look back. Don’t even look forward. If you have faith in God, look up. In GA there is a lot of talk about a Higher Power. CGs have different outlooks, different beliefs, different experiences but I have heard tough guys in GA saying they don’t know how the programme works but they know it does.
The motto here Chez is to use the support you get . Don’t reject this chance. Post often. Read other threads. Reach out for all the help that is available and
Just for TODAY do not gamble.
I wish you all the best in your new life.
Well done on taking the first step.
Never lose hope.
You are not alone.
