A proven way to get any addiction under control is a 12 step program. Why not such a program for people with a credit card addiction? Remember, it is the love of buying things on credit that produced this addiction.
Many times the biggest step is when you recognize that you have a problem. Most times when someone is beginning a credit card debt problem they may think:
- Just do it!
- Everyone else is doing it!
- Oh well!
When you have a problem that threatens to become an addiction, don't be lazy and decide Oh Well everyone else is doing it. This is exactly why the credit card companies make huge profits. If we would all get ticked off because they are threatening our family budgets, we would reject them and our personal world would change for the better. There are no widespread AA groups yet, but there should be. But we can use some of the principles of those programs.
The first thing and biggest thing is to realize you are in trouble. The 12 step programs require people to attend meetings which tell them:
- Everything will not be all right if you do nothing.
- Take the steps and change your addiction.
- Addictions will ruin your life.
We must find a way to realize that we just cannot live with credit card debt. We often think that we can get motivated to do the hard work and remove ourselves from debt before the task becomes unbearable. Swallow your pride. Tell a trusted friend that you suspect you have a debt problem. We are proud and we always want others to think we have it everything in order, but in fact, if you do not talk about it, you fall deeper into the problem because of the added stress.
That pride says take care of this yourself, but it really is:
- Keeping you from talking with your spouse and family.
- Keeping you from going to someone like a debt consolidation company.
When an addict does become a recovering addict is when they recognize that they have a problem and that it is huge and could destroy their lives and now is the time to seek help.
Has that time has come for you?
The faster you swallow your pride and go and seek some help, the faster the debt problem will go away and you will once again be back on a solid financial footing. That once you get this monkey off your back, you will never let yourself be tortured by credit card debt again.
For more information on How To Manage Your Debt click here.
