Hi,

This is my first time using a forum. I will try to give a quick background about myself and then explain where I am now.

My name is James, I am 23 years old. I moved to Hong Kong 8 months ago to teach English as a foreign language. I am from the North of England. I have had a problem with gambling since university. I became depressed and I gambled to self medicate these feelings. The main mode of gambling for me has been in casino’s on roulette tables.

So, where I am now…

After managing 6 months free from gambling when I first moved to Hong Kong, I now find myself In the worst position I have ever been in. I have visited Macau numerous times over the past few days and my debts total around £12,000, a huge amount of money. The emotional cost has been high too. I feel a great deal of guilt and intense sadness.

I now face a very difficult decision, do I continue to live in Hong Kong and see what help is available here (or in fact do I have the strength to continue) or do I move back to England and seek urgent help for my addiction, preferably in a residential setting like the Gordon Moody foundation offers.

There are a number of factors to consider and I’m having a hard time making sense of them at the moment. I am on a good wage in Hong Kong and would struggle to find a job that pays the same in the UK. However even with my current wage it will still be years before I can pay off these debts. Ofcourse If i don’t access the help I need and gamble again my debts will increase. I also need to explore a strategy for managing my debt – maybe one big loan with lower interest to cover these credit card debts. Added to this I will need to consider all the practicalities of being in debt in a foreign country if I move home. It’s all very daunting right now.

Despite previous low points and apparent commitment to abstain from gambling in the past, I have always left myself little windows of opportunity to gamble as I was too scared to let go. Now I am determined to deal with my problems head on and beat this addiction. I hope to lead a good and fulfilling life In the future.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Comments and thoughts would be greatfully recieved.

All the best to everyone.

James