• RRSpiral82 posted an update in the group Group logo of CommunityCommunity 2 years, 9 months ago

    I am struggling. I have been gambling at a loss for all of 2021. I’ve never gambled to the point that it’s affected my budget, until this year. In previous years, I’ve had some string of luck that has saved me from the downward spiral that I am experiencing this year. I’ve taken out new loans, maxed out my credit cards and put off paying some of my bills on time for the last several months. I even pawned my wedding rings twice to keep up some finances for the last 4 months. I keep hoping that I’ll have some payouts that will help me resolve some of these stupid financial decisions lately, but of course, I’m not making an headway. I’ve borrowed money from family (that I don’t know how I’m going to pay back). I took a second job and tried to work extra over the last 6 months, but I’ve spent all that money gambling. I am getting more and more depressed because I keep hoping that my luck will change and I’ll get back to a place that I’m at least comfortable, to no avail. My husband and I have separate accounts and he has no idea that I’m struggling. I know if I tell him, he’ll most likely leave me. I blamed my gambling on his lack of support for years. We have kids and he has been away for work all of their lives. I used gambling as a way to get away from the daily “single parent” grind and have never experienced a financial hardship this great before. I feel like I’m backed into a corner and I want so badly to feel like I can breathe a little easier, and I can’t find any relief.

    • Hi, I began gambling to combat loneliness and it quickly became an addition that I’ve had for 26 years. I have done everything you have done and more. I’ve always considered myself to be a very strong person but gambling is a severe weakness. Admitting that my addition is strong than I am was my first step to asking for help. I am in a good place right now but know that it won’t take much for me to visit a casino. I pray everyday for the strength to not gamble and do what is right with my finances. February 2020 was the last time I visited a casino but I gambled online for a few months and it was becoming a problem, so I had to discontinue that too. I know that constant prayer is the only way to combat this addition. I filed bankruptcy and even moved to another state, that doesn’t have casinos, but still found a way to gamble. Prayer, making a commitment to not gamble, going to GA, and forgiving yourself works. I am so grateful to have found this chatroom because I can seek support while still socially distancing. We NEED this. WE can do it.