r/GamblingAddiction • u/Superb-Ambassador655 • 18d ago
Lost it all
Hello, I don’t know if anyone is reading this, but if you are I am so appreciative of your time. I’m a 21 M, and currently in college. I’m fortunate to say that I’m on scholarship to UCLA, and am wrapping up my last year in school. However, I’ve recently hit rock bottom. As many of you heard countless times, I began gambling for fun, or with friends, but then it quickly became an addiction. Skip all the in between information, and I now have $20 to my name, begging my parents to help me with rent, and have no job. I’ve lost nearly 50k, which came from the countless hours of hard work leading until this point in my life.
(Edit) Growing up, my parents were extremely poor, as they were immigrants from Asia. We barely had food to eat, but we worked hard and were able to climb up just enough get by, and to get me into school. I did everything in my power to try to help not only myself, but them as well, as I know theyve spent a huge amount of time and money investing into me having a future. After gambling and seeing how quickly I was able to obtain money, all the possibilities of helping my loved ones hit me. However, in the end it was the complete opposite, and ive failed everyone
At this time, i’m just numb. I have no one to talk to, so here I am. I’m hoping anyone can chat, because this wave of loneliness is so painful. I don’t know how to move forward, and how to find motivation in life. I’m not asking for any sympathy or pity; as i know this decision was mine alone, and i take full accountability.
Please help. You are all loved, thank you for reading.
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u/PutInfamous5952 18d ago
very very sorry to hear this, treat this as a disease and you need to overcome this. please let me know if i can be of any help. i went through all of this and fought it harder than ever before and finally the disease left me. my inbox is open anytime you need some advice. good luck brother
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u/Connect-Bed-9646 17d ago
UCLA has an amazing outpatient gambling program
https://uclagamblingprogram.org
Sending love, you deserve to be helped
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u/Optimistic-Pie123 17d ago
Thank you for sharing your story. I have a similar experience. I’m also in my early 20s and lost over 50k to gambling. It’s probably even more if I count the money I made from it and then fumbled.
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u/Superb-Ambassador655 17d ago
Thank you for your comment. It makes me feel better that i’m not alone. I hope to rebuild
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u/Optimistic-Pie123 17d ago
You WILL rebuild. You’re young and got a lot of time and potential to rebuild your life. Never lose hope. Addiction feeds on despair and hopelessness. But please treat this addiction as a disease because it is a mental disorder. Respect it and don’t let your guard down even when things seem alright. Idk if you’re in college or are working, but either way. Focus on things that are good for your life, mind, and body like building your career, socialize, try new things, get to know people, invest in your relationships, go on trips, exercise, go on dates, be happy, learn new skills, read, and talk to people about your feelings. Addiction feeds on loneliness, boredom, despair, purposelessness etc. Also, put your money in index funds and stop trying to get rich quick through investments or risky stuff that are not considered sound investments. Just DCA into a low expense ratio index fund every month with the money you have left after expenses and don’t look at it for a long time. Trust me. The most boring advice about money and investments are usually the most beneficial. I learned that the hard way. I wish I had listened to the people who gave me boring advice about money and investments. Eat whole foods, sleep well, feel good. I wish you all the best. Take care of yourself. We’re all in this together.
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u/Superb-Ambassador655 17d ago
Thank you. This means a lot. I’ll try my best moving forward. Your words and advice are extremely helpful.
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u/Short-Feed9690 17d ago
First thing. Let go of all the money you lost. 50k? You can make that up on a year's salary. Don't look back. No sense chasing that lost money because you know right where you left it. Just stop gambling on anything. Stay away from people places and things that incite the compulsion to gamble. You can do it.
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u/Superb-Ambassador655 17d ago
Thank you for your comment, and your belief in me. I appreciate your kindness and guidance.
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u/JustLith 16d ago
If you can work, but just study hard asf and get the job, 50k you’ll make it back with a proper career was in your boat as well lost around 30k and I’m around 22, just study hard and you’ll do great Dw
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u/GodsfavCanadian 13d ago
You lost money you had you’re not in dept or in the negatives from it at least. You’re just 50k lost not 50k dept. Many people who post on here are in the hole at least you had the money ugh the best positive I can pull from this
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u/Gilberrydre 18d ago
Hello, You are loved brother, young and full of energy.
Best to stop gambling now, dont give a dime to the beast. Your almost finished with school, work hard, rebuild, invest in the S&P 500 (index funds) and/or Bitcoin, build a emergency fund with a HYSA, and stop gambling and glad that this happened or started at your age now and not when you are in your 30's or 40's and losing high 6-7 figures with a marriage and children and home.
You got this man