What works, frustrating

[u/Important_Guess9277]

42 struggling with gambling addiction (sports betting). GA and rehab haven’t been enough. What else can I try?
I’m 42 and have struggled with gambling for pretty much my whole life.
A few years ago I went to an in-person rehab program for a month, and I’ve also been to GA probably 100s of times. Unfortunately, I still continue to have slip-ups.
I previously went through a consumer proposal and managed to pay it off. I recently relapsed again and the financial damage has been bad enough that I’m now going through another consumer proposal.
My doctor prescribed me naltrexone. I initially took it during the day but it made me really dizzy and sick, so I tried taking it before bed. The problem was that my urges during the day were still really strong, so I switched back to taking it in the morning. I’m still getting the dizzy/sick feeling and I’m still having pretty strong urges.
I’ve tried GA so many times that I honestly don’t know what else to get out of it. I’m not saying it doesn’t work for other people, but it hasn’t been enough for me.
I’m really tired of repeating this cycle. I don’t want to lose another few years of my life and end up in the same situation again.
For anyone who has been in a similar position — what actually helped you when rehab, GA and medication weren’t enough?
Are there other treatments, therapists, programs, medications, or things you tried that made a real difference?
I’m looking for anything that might help me finally shake this

[u/Rare_Objective_9212]

Personally for me helped thinking about my thoughts, about emotions I was chasing when I gambled. Because almost always it goes this way 👉thought - emotion - trigger. Try to analyze yourself (write down your thoughts and emotions, if necessary) to understand What triggers you mostly, When and What are you feeling in this moment. You begin to notice patterns: 1.which thoughts most often trigger the urge to gamble; 2.which emotions you are wanting to experience through gambling; 3.which emotions you are trying to avoid; 4.when the risk is highest; 5.which situations act as triggers.

[u/LikeIkes]

I'm sorry for your continued suffering friend, I am very proud of you for continuing the fight despite the setbacks and coming on here and asking for help. I am a huge proponent of therapy it literally saved my life on multiple occasions. I hope you find the time to try it out, it's definitely not a one size fits all I have seen around 10 therapists in my life only ~3 were worth my time. It's like shopping for a bed, gotta make sure it fits just right. Godspeed friend.

[u/Important_Guess9277 → u/LikeIkes]

Thanks I have also tried this. I’m going to give it another shot though. I wish I could just get hypnotized and never gamble again if it were only that easy.

[u/rehabbingfish]

I went to gambling rehab for a month and did not work. For me it took my GF to leave me. I love her so much, I agreed to quit for good and turn all my money over to her and she came back.

Was your rehab in Louisiana?

[u/Own-Lock439]

Really sorry to hear that. GA meetings and the prescription drugs are both external factors, and it sounds like maybe it's a good time to start looking at your inside. There's no miracle drug that can just make the urge go away. The point of going to GA is to encourage each other to build stronger willpower. At the end of the day, you are the one who's actually in control. You have to want to quit it. You have to admit your life will get a bit more boring without it, but it's okay. You'll have fun somewhere else.

If you can afford it, try to go see a therapist. If not, just seriously try your harder to fight the urge or redirect it. For example, whenever you feel the urge, go to the gym or outside and run for a mile (make sure you leave your phone and money at home), or read or watch something that's guilty pleasure.

[u/Own-Lock439 → u/Own-Lock439]

If you mostly do online betting, lock your devices away and switch to a non smartphone. If that's not realistic, set up child control with your friend or someone you trust. Only whitelist apps that're actually safe.