I am not necessarily addicted to substances, I occasionally smoke marijuana, although I have nothing bad to say about that compared to my real addiction. I started work, and with my compulsive behavior I found a casino nearby. I ended up taking out 2,000USD in payday loans, creating a gigantic mess. Then I proceeded to gamble it all away at the casino, after which I spent my next check trying to win the money back to pay off my debts. As of now, I have no money and I am 1200 dollars in debt. As some of you may know the payday loans are a huge trap with ridiculous interest. I hate what I did, but I just couldn't stop. Has anyone ever gotten themselves into a mess like this? or do you know how someone got out of the mess?
Sadly I know many people who have fallen to the gambling addiction. People who have lost everything and are now living on the streets or those who ended their lives because of it. It is a sad, sad thing. My daughter works at a bar and they have video gambling machines there. I was shocked when she told me that last Saturday alone there was $30,000 put into those machines. That is at just one small bad in there city. It is a serious problem for so many people. They lose so much and then they are always trying to get to back only to sink deeper. I hope that you get help with your addiction. Seek out some counselling. It is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. All the best to you!.
@AngryItalian... Gambling can be just as devastating as any other addiction. While it may not cause the physical harm that drugs or alcohol do, it can rip apart lives just the same. Take @L_B's advice and seek out some counseling. Now. Before your financial struggles get any worse. And know that we are here to help and support you any way we can. Reach out whenever you need to. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You can beat this problem if you work hard at it.
@deanokat I don't know what to do, I am about to get laid off from my job and be in debt for around 900 dollars. I don't know how I am going to get out of this mess. Everything in my mind is telling my to head to the tables and try and flip my paycheck three times to cover it, although I know it's the dumbest decision I could possibly make.
AngruItalian, don't make the unwise decision to head back to the tables. I have never been in the situation myself but I have seen and heard of what it does to people. It can be very destructive. It might be time to get some professional help. Just know that this struggle is not unique to you but you can beat this.
There's a high likelihood you also lose this money and it will make you even more angry and more eager to win back your money. You may want to borrow a little more hoping that you'll win . . . and things will only get worse. You need to stop now. Accept the losses and move on. Easier said than done, yes, but it's what you have to do. By [gambling] we lose both our time and treasure: two things most precious to the life of man. Owen Feltham
@AngryItalian... You can't go back to the tables. Don't do it. If you're in debt for $900.00, so be it. That's better than being in debt for much more, isn't it? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. You have to make some changes if you want things to change. Go to the meeting locator on the Gambler's Anonymous page, find a meeting in your area, and go. As soon as possible. You can beat this habit, but you have to work on it. Just remember: Anything worth having is worth working hard for. Sending you positive vibes, my friend.
Better to stop gambling to avoid losing more and being in debt more. Try to spend the time and energy on ways how to earn extra money instead to slowly but surely solve your problem. Just like having part time jobs, and buy and sell.
Oh my goodness. You need to stop gambling now before it gets any worse. The best way to avoid this is to simply not go to the casino. If you keep going, it's only going to grow into a much bigger debt. I've never gotten into a situation like this, but I freaked out after going up $400 at the casino and lost ALL of it. I walked out with nothing. I learned my lesson super fast. I hope you're learning yours and you can overcome this.
You need to join a gamblers or debtors anonymous immediately, or at least use them as a resource. 1200 in debt is really nothing compared to those who have gambled their homes or all their savings away, or embezzled money from their employers to pay their debts. It can get much, much worse, and I think you need to get a grip before it does!
@AngryItalian... Just wondering how you're doing. If you get a chance, check in and let us know. We're here for you, my friend.
@AngryItalian Hello and welcome to this forum! Gambling although we may not called it as a form of addictive substances is as almost as the same where you are hooked into any kind of addiction. Like what they had said it will not affect your physical body and mental thinking but it will surely affects your way of life and as well ruin your life in terms of financial loss. If you continue to engage yourself in this kind of activity you are only wasting your time, your money and your life too instead of doing something that can make your life meaningful. I do hope while it is still early you will stop gambling and I know you can make it! All the best!
I have been able to drop my debt down to 300 and I have stayed away from the casinos since making this thread. Now I just need to focus on my career and paying back the remainder of my debts.
I regret to say that I have lost just about all of my close family to this problem and now I am kicked out of my house and trying to put myself back together, I've got myself a car and a place to stay, but now I am completely broke, not to mention the falling out with my family ended up in me getting fired for lack of attendance.
No matter what you do, know that you did the right thing by seeking help! Whether it's seeking help on this forum, a counslor, or family and friends, there is nothing wrong with asking for guidance from others. It is important to resist temptation to gamble again, even if it seems like a good way to earn your money back, it's not! There is a reason why casinos are in business, to make money, and more specifically, your money! Many people have fallen victim to gambling addictions. You are not alone. You can overcome this!
Definitely my brother, you are not alone! When I went to Las Vegas for the first time, I gambled $1,000 dollars the first night and lost it all! Then, the next day I tried to win it all back and lost another $2,500. At the end of the week I had lost about $5,000 dollars
Wow thank you so much @AngryItalian for sharing your story! I have spent a lot of time in Las Vegas and seen how crazy gambling addiction can become. Honestly I have never really understood it, as a substance abuser I never could see how people could lose their minds like that and still be what I considered sober. But the loss of control is a very similar story. I think being this broke is a similar story for most addicts too! Just keep in mind you can rebuild and you can get away, same as anyone with a problem. Good luck and welcome!
Way to go Angry Italian!! Maybe all you needed was a wake up call. I think the fact that you could reduce your debt and now stay away from the casinos is awesome. It a really good thing that i bet makes you feel much more in control of your life.