I wished I could turn back time, many a time. We all have things we regret because of this addiction/compulsion/problem (whatever descriptor people want to assign it). I regret that my children went without anything extra for a long period of time. I would never do anything to hurt my sons. Yet I stole from them really. Turned what should have been a time with extras and trips became stressful and penny pinching. Little things like needing a hair cut that little bit too long. I would have been bankrupt no question about it if it hadn’t been for a major bail out from my family. Bailouts are usually not recommended but i looked at it as my one opportunity and I took it. They wouldn’t do it again. They didn’t pay off my debt, but were able to refinance the whole mess into a lower interest manageable payment that i made. And I threw myself into recovery whole heartedly to save myself because I decided I didn’t want to die. We have to forgive ourselves. I too drew the line at crime too. But I will never say never. I just say Lord, I don’t want to walk in those shoes!
Now as far as the revenue service, here gambling addiction and the resulting mental health crisis is considered a medical condition. Using a tax relief program or some such can file to have all penalty and interest waived for late filings and a reasonable repayment plan, which for you right now is zero. Maybe credit counselor there would know?
Just some thoughts Monica, I know can be overwhelming. I remember how exhausted I was. I was trying to work, take care of family, run to credit counselor and subsequent bank appointments. GA meetings and gambling addictions counseling. Relationship issues from the resulting crisis we were in. It seemed a long dark tunnel and the hoop jumping as well. You need basic sustenance to make it through this. It can be done. Praying for you to have strength.
Laura