27k in Credit Card Debt - My Journey

 Hello Everyone,

I wanted to tell my story to help others, and maybe even hear from others in a similar situation. 

It all started about 3 months ago when I was moving away from home for the first time, I got a new job and was taking the step of leaving my hometown for the first time in my life. As I began this move I was very excited and nervous, during this time I had about $2k in Credit Card debt from moving expenses and getting things for my new place. I got the idea of trying to use an online sportsbook to try and make some money to pay back this credit card debt, and as you can expect I ended up losing that money. I was a little worried about losing this money, but I knew my situation was not much worse than what I already knew. As I get to my new home I am very excited, the climate is much warmer than where I am from and I love to do outdoor activities. A week later I started my new job and everything is going very well, everyone is very friendly at my new job and I am very excited. I then again got the idea of using my credit card on an online sportsbook and ended up losing another $2k, so I have now doubled my credit card debt before my first paycheck. Once I got in this situation my mind turned to needing to win this back, so the next night I got on an online casino and maxed out one of my credit cards that has a $15k limit. If anyone has ever lost money gambling before you know this is a feeling you never want to feel. I am now alone in a new state for the first time and in Credit card debt I have never been in before. 

So, after this, I knew I could not gamble anymore but I began drinking a lot just from the stress I had been feeling from this situation. I did not gamble for about a month and a half and was able to get my credit card debt down to about $14k. Then one day I decided it would be a good idea to have a drink while I was watching sports, well this "one drink" turned into about 12-15 and I decided to get on the online casino. As I was very drunk I opened Credit Cards to be able to keep placing more money into these sites. I ended up losing another $13k on top of the $14k. That night I was very messed up mentally and was calling rehab locations. I ended up making an appointment and have been attending sessions weekly as of late. 

I am now beginning to pay back this money and stay sober of alcohol and gambling. I am starting this blog to follow me on my journey and see if there are any others in a similar situation. One thing I have learned so far is we need to stay positive and that this is doable.