<prompt> Human: Im 32 years old, I came out of the closet when I was 27 and married to a man. That was the biggest hurdle I think Ive ever had to jump having social anxiety. I feel like no medicine really helps except maybe marijuana. I also have OCD and ADD, so life is fun haha. In January 2015 I got laid off, this happened a little less than a year after the divorce...I didnt have money for a lawyer so I just asked for what I had before I met him and he left me with debt that was acquired together. I lived alone at the time so I didnt have any help with bills. I had to pay some bills with credit cards, now mind you my credit score at that time was perfect, never missed a payment, I was never late, my score was a 768. Well obviously paying bills with credit cards just created more bills which I couldnt pay. My social anxiety kept me from being able to face these companies on the phone so I did what I thought was best at the time...Well, I made the mistake of going with a debt relief company and they havent gotten me anywhere but in a deeper ditch. I recently moved to upstate new york to be with my wifes family, her brother killed himself and we wanted to be with her mom. Her mom actually lived with him, so shes living with us now. I have a really good job so money isnt a huge thing anymore. Im being sued by one of the credit card companies...My question is, how the hell do I dig myself out of this ditch??? I take full responsibility for making poor decisions but now I just want to correct them and move forward. I dont have any money for a bankruptcy attorney so thats not really an option. What the hell do I do??? Please seriously any advice is more than appreciated! I just want to right my wrongs and move forward.Assistant: If you have a good job why dont you just pay off your debt?Human: And how am I supposed to do that when all of the accounts have already gone to collections or worse. I am just starting to get back on my feet from all of that.  <response>: You can pay the collections companies. They buy the debt for less than you owe so they love to settle. 