<prompt> Human: Hello all,I am a financial mess, and need advice. Please help, I am paralyzed with fear right now and need a plan, something to turn my life around. My history and details.I am 39 years old. About two years I divorced. I make 143,000 per year and pay my ex wife about 50 percent of my monthly income 4433 for alimony and child support. That leaves me with about 4400 per month. In April, alimony ends, and I expect to start paying her around 3k per month, leaving me with 6k or so.Since January of this year, I started gambling. I had about 20k of CC debt at that time, and a 45k federal restitution debt from a crime from 15 years back that was 100k initially. My Credit score was around 700 - until June. In June my gambling picked up chasing it and now, I am:-- approximately 45k in CC debt, havent paid since June. 9 cards total, 5k each average.-- 45k federal gov-- 8k to friends for loans -- 20k ex wife legal fees for a family court related matter Ive sought treatment, and now diagnosed with Depression, ADHD explains a lot, and a gambling addict. i attend meetings now. Ive been dodging all of the CC calls.Ive been dodging the Federal collections unit, they will probably call me in for contempt of court on that judgement at some point. Im behind about 14k on the payments.The friends and family 8k Is a when you can pay it back, pay it back thing.For the Credit Cards - Do I call them and explain the situation and set up a payment plan? Keep in mind they are accruing interest.Do I file for Bankruptcy? Can I even do that with the amount I make?As for living expenses, monthly I need about 2k to make ends meet - I need at least 1k for a place to live Im living in a hostel now, but need to get an Apt., and 1k for food, travel, etc. Again, all help is appreciated. I dont know what to do. I realize ive really messed things up, Im ready to make it right and put this all behind me - I need a push so please help.  <response>: Do things in this order:1. Keep going to meetings to ensure your gambling habits dont pick up again.2. Create a budget. Start with our budgeting FAQ There are tools like Mint.com, YNAB, or one of the spreadsheets in our tools section.3. Get a list of everything you owe on. Youre going to split this up into two groups: Accounts with Collections should go into one pile. Start negotiating your collections per our Collections FAQ Your current accounts should go in another pile. Make at least the minimum payment on all accounts, and then target the highest interest rate. You may want to refer to our debt FAQ for more detailed advice, and be sure to check out for a simulator.4. After satisfying at least the minimum on your debts in your second pile for some time, you may want to negotiate the removal of some bad marks. Talk or mail your credit card company to request a goodwill removal of your marks. There is more information in our improving credit FAQ.5. Keep going to meetings to ensure your gambling habits dont pick up again. You may wish to also browse rADHD and other equivalent subreddits or support groups for discussing psychological issues.Best of luck. I hope to see you back here in a few months with a brag post! 