Hi Ivan,
Well done on recognising that you have a problem and reaching out for help.
I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation.
Nearly everyone on here has been forced to take actions to control their gambling . We can recognise the desperation, the shame and the disappointment.

You won’t get financial help on here . Those of us in recovery know that financial help would not be help at all. You need to painfully work your way through this.
Most of us have gambled for so long we also have debts.
Part of recovery from gambling addicting is to give up on looking for easy answers (like a big win or a bail out) .

I would suggest you put a gambling blocker on your internet devices – Gamban works well for me.
You can ring your creditors to see if you can renegotiate the terms of your debts so that you are paying less each month. I have done this several times.

Ivan, you will find a way through this. Use his experience as a springboard to stop gambling .

Keep strong – things will get better

Idi is right, you won’t get any money on here so you should stop asking. It isn’t going to happen. And I would question as to why you are persisting in asking? Asking problem gamblers so save you by giving money is not a good idea and we all know the desperation that drives us to do that. But it will not help you one bit, and we all know that. You are the one that needs to save your own life, and take responsibility for where you are right now, this means not looking for bail outs.
Many of us in here have built up huge debts, far more than your own, you have a big plus in your favour in that you have a good job which is a massive plus. You can recover your financial position and as for five or ten years to get straight, welcome to my world, ten years and I am much older than you. Some of us who hit rock bottom did lose our jobs in the process. In relation to your creditors if you admit to a gambling problem they have to listen and they will give you more time, we have all been in the same boat and like idi that is what I have found.
So, face the hard truth, and accept it, you have a gambling problem and seek out a good counsellor who can help you to examine why you are gambling in the way you have been, there are always underlying reasons. Do you have a GA you can go to?
I wish you well, and please stop asking for money.

Ivan,

I suggest you follow Monica’s advice, explain that you have a gambling addiction.

My creditors weren’t very helpful until I told them “you can either set up a plan for me that I can afford or I am about  to start bankruptcy proceedings”. They were happy enough to help then because something is better than nothing.

If you feel you will be in any kind of trouble with the recent debt , than I suggest you miss a payment on all others this month and pay the essential one. I have done this also .

There will be many people missing payments at the moment due to the lockdown to it might be a good time to try your creditors.

You can come through this .

Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you ??

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

Hi Ivan.

As others have said, coming to a forum full of people who have lost all their own money really isn’t the place to come for a loan.

There are lots of financial options these days; from repayment plans through to bankruptcy, with a lot in between. Get proper local financial advice to look at your options.

It really doesn’t matter what you do with the finances though unless you also get help with your addiction. You say you “…….will give my girlfriend which I trust and which knows about my problem acces to my bank accounts and cards…….” Have you done that yet?

I see there are Gamblers Anonymous meetigns in Croatia as well, that would be another good option for you. Check they are running though, many are closed right now due to Covid 19. As well as helping you to stop gambling they would also likely be able to point you in the direction of local financial advice.

Keep posting and let us know the positive steps you are taking to address your addiction.

Definitely I toatlly agree , the banks  are not all creditors for sure ..and people should take responsibilities everytime  i concur 

Sucks to hear that the will repossess your car. I understand that you put yourself in a bad financial position. Luckily for you, there are a lot of options for these kinds of financial situations these days.

But these options would not land on your doormat, you have to actively seek them. So I suggest you seek them. 

I have a feeling you are dwelling on the past but keep in mind, we can only change our future.

Stay strong and keep posting.

When we first come into recovery we often hit our own rock bottom whatever that may be. For me it was my home being repossessed and a committal to prison notice for non payment of uk council tax. Neither of these things happened but they were under threat for some time. I was honest with both about why this had happened. And why I had gotten into the huge financial mess. The debts were not written off and I am still paying them. I was also doing this while quite ill at the time caused through the stresses of gambling. Unfortunately I had to face the consequences and I could not delay these. It was painful, the worst case scenario I was threatened with didn’t happen and I now am ahead with my rent and have a payment plan for the council tax. Lesson learned.
It is difficult facing these issues but face them we must. Are you sure your bank account will be frozen? In the U.K. that only happens when you file for bankruptcy.

Hi Ivan

You should seek free financial counselling from an organization in Croatia.Try to search the internet for an organization which could help and call them as soon as possible. When you get past your immediate trouble, you should prevent yourself from gambling ever again.

You are going to survive. It’s not too late to get a wonderful life but you have to get past a few terrible months before it gets better.

How r u today?

Are these creditors like loan sharks? I see that Croatia is not that developed regarding debt relief. 

Did you also check what is locally available? 

I personally have no experience with debt relief, but I know there are some options available here. Maybe it is the same in Croatia

Keep strong 

Yes, on looking up Croatia (is that where you hail from) they do seem to be behind the rest of Europe in the management of personal debt. However, there must be debt help agencies that you can contact? You say your creditors had no solutions so what was the point of your calls to them? The pay us, can’t pay conversation is a pointless one for everyone.
I would do your income and expenditure and see what you have left to pay your bills, offer lower payments to,your creditors. I sat and wrote every single debt down, and all my income plus what I could cut out of my expenditure without too much hassle, subscriptions, what was the most important to tackle first ie those where you lose things such as a home, a car, your liberty etc.

I just so turned out the freezing bank accounts are a standard in Croatia, and they have the right to do that. Personally I think that is ridiculous. 

If the freeze all your assets how long would it take you to pay everything back to your creditors, how much interest do you pay on these loans? 

Yes, Very behind everywhere else. There has to be agencies that can help in the country somewhere?

I don’t think you were stupid! In pain.. probably, but not stupid.
For now, just that reminder, because beating yourself up isn’t part of the tool kit of recovery. Peace and love <3

HI Evan, 

How are you doing? Hope things are getting sorted

Sorry typo from my end. 

Can you open an other bank account? Or get your salary transferred somewhere else?  Like a close familymember or something . So in that way they can’t freeze everything? Just thinking outside the box, but if you can get your salary someplace else in theory you could pay off your debt and still have some living money?

Could your girlfriend, parents or friends help you out? You said your salary will double in July, it’s “only” 2,5 month.. Could they pay your food, rent, drive you to work or whatever is needed?

It may be difficult to ask but you need to do something radical and difficult to get past this urgent debt?

How is it going Ivan?

What bills are urgent? It look like the freezing of your account will be inevitable, but you say you have the necessities. I am i bit confused right now.  Could you clarify further what the exact problem will be if they freeze your account if you can still pay for food. Is it about losing a place to sleep ?