Ruined my credit score/history

Thanks for sharing your story, same happened with me - I burnt through my savings, took out  loans with high street banks and credit cards and then resorted to pay day loans as a desperate attempt to fund my addiction.

I’m now 10 months gamble free and clearing my debt. The last 10 months have seen a massive change in me, my relationship, my finances etc... away from the addiction I no longer feel the urge and the need to gamble. The biggest step is putting GamStop in place, so well done! It’s hard to resist gambling where we can’t do a whole lot but try to keep busy, for me I play on the Xbox and I’ve been a  musician my whole life so I’m always keeping busy outside of my job.

hope you are on a journey to a healthier lifestyle 🙂 

Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience.. 10 months is amazing! Glad to hear you're doing so much better, hopefully I'll be able to do the same 🙂 

yea unfortunately gambling addiction has consequences that only tend to reveal themselves after the damage is done 

i found its all fun and games until you need to work out how much you have actually lost

when i stopped binge gambling at 22/23 i was in just over 10K of debt and outgoings were massively outweighing incomings 

i was on a low wage and had high commuting costs 

none the less i rolled up my sleeves and got to work 5 years later I've cleared all the debt and saved 10K 

written like that it sounds like a doddle but i can assure you it was tough going and i am still a year away from being able to get a mortgage 

i don't know what your financial situation is , but if its anything like mine was i suggest you get started on sorting it out today as you have a tough couple years ahead 

Hi Cerrry93.

As hard as it may seem you have to use every thought process to gain some perspective.

The core elements of your life will be much better gamble free. When the core is right you can build up a real pride and self respect

Gambling by its very nature will destroy credit ratings just as it destroys relationships and lives. You know that now and you knew it back then but the addiction was controlling you.

Some people dont make it so you have to look at this from the point of view that you are still here to tell the tale and make your life better again.

As an addicted gambler it was unlikely you would have made any mortgage payments on time anyway. The addiction didnt care about your finances as it just wanted its natural morphine. You were on the spiral to hell. You were not on track for a controlled orderly life or considering a mortgage

Dont rush ahead of yourself and part of recovery is learning not to be too hard on yourself. You have to let the negative feelings go. Whats done is done and you will find therapy in talking it through.

I know its not easy but it can be done and you have to do it. I dont know your finances but I tell you they will be a whole lot better when you are free from gambling. You will look back on it and wonder why you ever did it but you will remain calm, shrug it off and get on with your positive life.

Positivity is the key and realising you can never be complacent again about a power that controlled you for its own ends

Best wishes from everyone on the forum

It's normal to feel angry at yourself for the financial mistakes you made while in the throes of addiction, but it's also important to practice self-compassion and forgiveness. Beating yourself up over past mistakes won't change the situation, but taking proactive steps moving forward can help you rebuild your financial health.
One of the first things you can do is to create a budget and a plan to pay off your debts. This may involve making adjustments to your spending habits and finding ways to increase your income. It's important to prioritize paying off debts with the highest interest rates first, and to make consistent payments to avoid further damage to your credit score.
It's also a good idea to regularly check your credit score and credit reports to ensure that they are accurate. Do you know how to check credit report? If you notice any errors, you can dispute them and have them corrected. Additionally, you can work on rebuilding your credit by making all of your payments on time, keeping your credit utilization low, and avoiding taking on new debt.

Hi 

Clean time can not be lost.

From each break out we get to understand what my last emotional trigger was.

Some one once said to me if you learned from your last gambling break it was a cheap lesson if you learn from it.

I use to say in the old days that work people and life use to stress me out.

The simple truth was I use to react in such unhealthy ways to people life and sitautions.

No one stressed me out, I stressed my self out in my oains and my fears.

The most important thing is to go back to meetings each time I broke out.

Sadly I use to hear peoples sighs on them hearing I had gone back to gambling.

They were not dissapointed in me, they were feeling my pains, they knew how painful going back was.

I am unable to say how many time I broke out, there were many times I wanted to give up all faith and hope in my self. 

I have been going to meeting since 1969.

I have been clean now over 30 years.

And I found it simpler by living for today only.

To not live in the past but learn from it.

To not worry about beyond today.

Love and best wishes.

Dave L

AKA Dave of Beckenham

I understand that you're feeling stressed, miserable, and angry about the financial consequences of your gambling addiction. It's important to acknowledge these emotions and give yourself space to process them. Recovery from addiction is a journey, and it's natural to have mixed feelings about past actions and their impact on your life.

First and foremost, congratulations on taking the step to sign up for GAMSTOP and for not gambling in the past few weeks. That's a significant achievement and shows your commitment to breaking free from the addiction.

It's understandable to feel regret about the financial damage caused by your gambling. However, it's essential to focus on the positive steps you are taking now. By addressing your addiction and abstaining from gambling, you are creating the opportunity for a healthier future. Staying free from gambling will allow you to regain control of your finances and start rebuilding your financial well-being.

It's also important to remind yourself that setbacks are a part of recovery. Rebuilding your credit score and financial stability will take time and effort. Consider reaching out to a financial advisor or credit counseling service that can help you develop a plan to manage your debts, improve your credit score, and work towards your financial goals.

Remember to be patient and kind to yourself throughout this process. Recovery is not linear, and it's okay to have ups and downs. Celebrate your progress and focus on the positive changes you are making in your life. Seek support from friends, family, or support groups who can provide understanding and encouragement during challenging times.

Keep your commitment to avoiding gambling, continue working on your financial recovery, and remember that you have the power to shape your future.

Seek support from friends, family, or support groups who can provide understanding and encouragement during challenging times. <a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candy Crush