It really depends on a few factors. Could be hell going through bankruptcy, but it's not going to be easy paying down that debt over years and years either. Bankruptcy may be the faster route to a positive net worth.

I don't think that's exactly true. Lots of people get pre approvals for credit cards in the mail right after their bankruptcy completes. It very much depends on the situation though.

Edit: That said, OP probably shouldn't touch credit again for 7 years. Haha.

Despite being mortified, you still reached out for help which is a really big step in the right direction!

It's hard to give advice without a lot of details, but here are a few of my thoughts:

• First of all, take a deep breath. This is solvable and there are multiple pathways that you can take to get on the path to a secure financial future.
• Since you mention there's an element of shame at play and people don't tend to spend a lot of time focusing on things that bring up feelings of shame, I'm guessing you have a tendency to avoid looking at your credit card transactions. Believe me, I've been there. It's worth going over everything you've spent money on in the past few months. No need to judge yourself. What's past is past. Just get an idea of where your money has been going.
• Put together a list of expenses you need to subsist and keep working: rent, utilities, food, phone bill, etc.
• Take stock of all of your minimum debt payments. This would include your credit cards, but also any student loans, etc. that weren't included above.
• Make sure you aren't paying any more than the minimum payments on all debt.

This is where more details about your situation start to really matter. If you aren't able to pay for all of your essential expenses and the minimum payments on your debt, your options are somewhat limited. I have a hunch you may be a good candidate for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Find an attorney who specializes in consumer bankruptcy and schedule a consultation. Generally the consultation is free. Bankruptcy is obviously a big move, but it's possible that it's the smartest move given where you are at the moment. An attorney can help you decide if it's right for you.

At the end of the day, the most important thing will be to assess your relationship with money and determine if there's something that needs to change. I'm willing to bet you're an intelligent person who's probably very good at convincing yourself that certain purchases are good ideas when they might not be. It may be helpful to discuss this aspect with a therapist once you get some breathing room.

In the meantime, stay strong; you're moving in the right direction and we're here for you!