Ruining my life

LegacyUser

Im stealing stuff from shops daily. Food whatever clothes. Some stuff I need . Other stuff I dont. I have a job. If I get caught-I could lose my job. I teach! I have tried counselling but I really need a kick up the hole from you all here. I have been on anti depressants. Think its more a habit-the stealing. Im angry at being nearly broke all the time and feel this is revenge. I get a brief high from stealing .

I thought I would have been caught by now. But I have stolen at least 100 times. I do plan on going to gamblers anonymous as its the one group I think can help me as its a form of gambling.
My wife works but she is constantly talking about how she hates her job and could be fired. I have a 3 year old son. She doesnt realise my stealing is subsidizing us.

Im an idiot. I know that. Any advice would be helpful!

jellyboy

Hi op

i could call you all the names and a few more ,as per your request
but what would it prove ?

Would it match the way you feel about yourself?
Allow yourself to continue on your path of destruction?

you have tried counseling and other services? like gp ?

my suggestion is that you try residential treatment
my feeling is that theirs a lot more going on in your life or in your past that allows your behavior to be so harmful to you and towards others

GA won't help you unless its due to gambling

the ultimo high is the trill ,unless you get to the source of why it will repeat in other behaviors

take care op

tenifan

You should consider telling your wife. You don't need to say the extent of it straight away, or that you rely on the money. Just for the support
I'd advise you to stay away from shops (you'll need your wife's support if you do the weekly shopping) and try taking up a hobby if you don't already have one.. Cycling is an easy enough one to get in to. I find exercise is great for warding off depression and reducing the likelihood of risky behaviour (like binge drinking), for me anyway.
You might think you're so great that you're not getting caught, but chances are you have been seen already by either a staff member who didn't care enough, or was afraid of you and didn't have backup. I know supermarkets sometimes make a bit of a log of shoppers incidents before confronting them, as they don't want to end up in court by accidentally accusing someone genuinely absent-minded of shoplifting.

Fozzydog3

Have you tried replacing the high with something legal ? Like cycling, I can remember that "midnight express" type feeling of walking out of a shop with stuff and sometimes cycling around through the city centre feels like that.

I disagree with the poster above I'd say GA could help that whole risk/reward thing is the same.

Hope you find help OP and stop it's not worth it for you

thefeatheredcat

Idiotman56 wrote: »

Im angry at being nearly broke all the time and feel this is revenge. I get a brief high from stealing .

It sounds like you want to get caught, just so the worries about money and the pressure about money can come out into the open. That and other problems if there are any.

Are you happy in your job? Are you happy in your marriage? Are you happy in life? If you are looking and getting a "high" from stealing then something else is missing in your life that should or would normally give you that same feeling. Like achievement, or feeling proud, earnings, happiness, security... stuff like that.

I think the way forward would be to be upfront with someone about the stealing, and the reasons why, if there are holes in your life, pressures and money worries or an absence of what you should feel in way of life of the "thrill" aspect. They should be addressed and out in the open. There is a negative part of risk that you might switch to a different type of risk seeking behaviour that is as negative as stealing once stealing doesn't give the same buzz it used to where there's no challenge in it, no risk in it and becomes too easy. That needs to be protected against, so that with behaviour modification in risk seeking pattern, you switch instead to healthier risk taking behaviours and activities.

Basically I'd have to agree with others and look at dealing with money issues and life, your marriage and working through those issues, continue counselling as they may be able to help in relation to switching your behaviour over to something more healthy but with risk involved like cycling or other sports and hobbies that give a sense of a high. And I think if GA offer support in relation to risk behaviours patterns, then that is a plus.

InReality

Based on stuff I've done - It will probably be difficult if not impossible to stop without some sort of help. Hope some of the advice here helps

catonthewire

Hi,


The behaviour you are describing is much more than a way to make ends meet...
Please, Please make an appointment with your GP asap and explain exactly what has been happening...
Ask for a referal to see a therapist or counselor, who will help you get to the root of the problem.

You must talk to your wife, explain to her how this has taken over your life..
What if you loose your job, after getting caught?...
Imagine her shock then, she will respect you now for telling her rather than later.

There is no Shame in asking for help..
Good luck and I honestly hope you get the proper help needed...