Hi all, I have (or had) a gambling addiction with trading options on the stock market. I took out a bunch of loans to trade, as well as my life savings.
At one point, I was up alot profit, but ultimately lost all all the loan money and my life savings and am now in enormous debt and facing bankruptcy.
Obviously this has made me deeply deeply depressed. One of the hardest things to come to terms with is the fact that I could have walked away with profit and life would have been sunny and happy, but instead - because of my greed and compulsive behavior - I lost it all and am facing bankruptcy.
Its incredibly hard for my mind to accept that instead of taking my winnings and having a positive boost to my life, the polar opposite has occured and I am living a nightmare.
Essentially - I am wondering other’s experience with this, coming to terms, and tips and tricks of the fact that some of us could have had really good experiences, but instead experienced the polar opposite
How do you come to terms with this? It is the biggest mindf*ck I am currently facing.
3 Likes
I hear you, and I’m sorry you’re going through this. The loss and regret can eat you up inside. The first step is accepting that what’s done is done. Beating yourself up won’t change the past but it will make it harder to move forward.
Think of this as a turning point. You hit rock bottom, but from here, the only way is up. Start by focusing on the small victories, like taking steps to rebuild your life. Seek professional help therapy can provide strategies to manage your feelings and help you understand the root of your addiction. Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous offer a community of people who get it because they’ve been there too. Don’t be put off by their website (I’d love to make them a new one for free!) the meetings and support are legit. Call 1-800-Gambler get yourself some free in-person therapy sessions going. And start getting on your way to healing this addiction. Do it for us!
Forgive yourself. You’re human, and we all make mistakes. The important thing is that you’re here, looking for help, and ready to change. Take it one day at a time. Focus on what you can control now, and slowly, things will get better.
Hey welcome to the forum, and appreciate you being so open here about what’s happening at this temporary moment in your life.
As someone who’s been through bankruptcy I can tell you that it’s not all that bad, and in many ways kind of a relief. HOWEVER, you should do everything you possibly can do avoid it due to how many negative things happen in your life for the years that follow.
It sounds like you’re already at acceptance. That @AdminJanePlane had some solid advice about GA + 1-800-Gambler free counseling, and that’s a good place to start the healing process. You need to find a greater purpose, you need to get better for future you No Zero Days : The Three You’s.
The tip is start today, the trick is it get’s better with every day that passes of you being addiction free. You got this! We’re here to help support you.
You come to terms with it because there’s no alternative. This is your life now. You can fix it or f&ck it up more.