Just returned for GA meeting

[badgambler]

Well I just returned from yet another G.A. meeting with a new group of guys. During this meeting I kinda of sat back and listened to the peoples stories. One guy was 40 days out from a gambling binge that puts mine to shame and that is no easy task..

When he was talking about the struggles and his new bills coming in. He was so scared, I felt my heart breaking for the guy. I am a quite guy but I stood up today and told my experience with gambling and the aftermath.

He asked about declaring BK.. I told him he needed to speak to a attorney as I just started the process myself..

He asked when your left with no option like making minimum payments for a few months after the last charge.. What can you do?? He told me he went through pretty much what I did.. minimal balances on his cards.. then two months later he had over 100k in charges on 11 different cards.

I had no clue what to say but would like your opinions.. I just told the guy to call a attorney and to keep on track with his recovery which is the number 1 priority..nothing can be done about money owed right now.. So stay healthy and on the wagon..

[StaciMM]

Not using the cards, putting time after the last transactions, is a good start. He could start researching BK online, and schedule consultations w/ attorneys.

I don't have direct experience with addiction, but my first thought is it would be better to concentrate on that first. Trying to get a handle on too many things at once can make everything impossible. If he has stopped paying them recently he can ignore the phone for a little a while. Concentrate on one thing at a time, and once he is starting to get a bearing on the gambling situation, and living within his pay check, then start searching researching BK.

[bkfiler]

paying minumums each month just help make it look like you were trying to pay what you owed. if he cant, then he cant. nothing more to say about it.

sending $10 to $25 to each for a few months probably wouldnt hurt his pocket book but i dont know. and we never know if its gonna help show he tried to pay something. but the cost/benefit says to do it if possible.

the more important thing is to make time greater between the charges and filing.

[Minnymouth]

Step One -Done and over with.
Step Two - Compassion for another - WELL DONE!
Step Three - Offering suggestions to another about BK - that was nice!!

Isn't it great to know your not alone in your struggles?

Trying to unravel your lifestyle is hard enough, but to realize your not the only one in this postion - makes it a lot easier to deal with......

We think "we are the only one" till we hear someone talk about theirs and its a lot worse.......

The meetings will be good for you and help your get back on the right track in life.

Filing Bk will help "clean up the mess" you have made too.

In the end - a "new beginning" and a "fresh start" in life....

NOW ISN'T THAT WORTH IT....................

[badgambler]

Step One -Done and over with.
Step Two - Compassion for another - WELL DONE!
Step Three - Offering suggestions to another about BK - that was nice!!

Isn't it great to know your not alone in your struggles?

Trying to unravel your lifestyle is hard enough, but to realize your not the only one in this postion - makes it a lot easier to deal with......

We think "we are the only one" till we hear someone talk about theirs and its a lot worse.......

The meetings will be good for you and help your get back on the right track in life.

Filing Bk will help "clean up the mess" you have made too.

In the end - a "new beginning" and a "fresh start" in life....

NOW ISN'T THAT WORTH IT....................

Yes it is nice to know I am not the only one dealing with these types of problems.. GA is nice in that aspect.. I am not the best follower when it comes to 12 steps and so forth.. But being able to listen to peoples stories and realize I was able to get out early is what keeps me motivated..

When I was talking with this guy I got him to admit he slipped.. I think we all do a little at the beginning.. and I told him its no big deal and to go day by day..We both are lucky to have wives who are helping us.. I told him, that the 12 steps isnt really my thing but the meetings helped me.. That and as one of my counselors told me.. Putting up road blocks to eliminate the options of gambling.. That is what really has done it for me.. I turned my desk around in my office so my monitor would be facing the door way which helped me not gamble online in the office.. and then everthing else was handed over to the mrs..

I told the guy about this site.. But he is a older gentleman who just kinda rolled his eyes about the internet and said he doesnt even know how to get online.. This guy really got to me as you can tell.. I am 29 and lucky.. I cant imagine going through this in during my golden years..