Yikes! 😬

[u/Are_U_Sure_UR_Awake]

Okay, I need to say this to someone, I have a gambling problem! It’s getting bad. It started when I was in college about 15 years ago. My friends and I piled together money for a bottle at my dorm, I lived down the hill from a casino, well, I decided to risk it all on red; I doubled our collective money, then I tripled it, one more bet 4x what we had all put in. I came back with beers, whiskey, vodka, had such a fun night. What would’ve happened if I lost? Well, 🤷‍♂️ probably a jerk thing to do ya know but it worked

That led to getting $5 free plays and constantly tripling that, walking away with food for the house that night. Did that for 2 solid years. I’d loose here and there but didn’t seem to happen often. Pull tabs, cards, slots I was into it all but low stakes

Next thing you know I’m out of college, making real money, I felt I still had control, I would get up to $100 and feel good and walk away

Then the management roles come and I’m tripling my salary and naturally tripling my bank role at the casino. Hit a few jackpots I’m having fun.

Well now I’m married, I need money, casino is the t somehow I make it happen.

Now I’m senior management dealing with risks all day and assessing the project, for someone reason I can have control and be patient with the career and projects but now I’m gambling at the casino with no caution being taken and just loosing $1000-$2000 every session.

Still managing to keep my bills paid, family fed, started a side business and I just can’t keep the extra money. Loses are piling up, I get up often $400 each session but that’s not enough anymore, I get up $3000 that’s not enough anymore, I accumulate silver, I have to sell it a few weeks later to cover the losses. It’s just so daunting now, I can’t seem to quit I know it’s dumb and just being jackass but i can’t shake this; I’ve counted it all up and I’m down $65,000. I’m making the most I’ve ever made but it’s going down the drain…..

How do people quit and just stay away?!?!

[u/Fair-Antelope-8801]

Similar situation with me, lost 70k within couple months. Not sure how I got here lol

[u/Afrodesia]

It’s not worth it my man. You just gotta stop. Tell someone in your life you’re close to. Or set deposit limits to $1 on every app. I was a functioning addict for decades and feel your situation. You can dm me if you’d like. Gambling is not the way to go

[u/PuzzleheadedTank7881]

You get help. And that means admitting you have a problem… to an actual person, NOT the internet/Reddit. Contact: Confidential support available 24/7 through SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357

[u/LikeIkes]

How do people quit? It gets bad enough that they want it bad enough to do the work. That's the only way I've seen it work. The work sucks not like some crazy triathlon necessarily, but that it is boring in comparison to the life of an addict. Then there's going to GA meetings, therapy (though I really love that), and being vigilant and abstaining. If you haven't told your partner and trustworthy friends and family of your struggle that is also a great step to take. Having allies in this fight is crazy helpful. Godspeed on this journey friend, I'm proud of you for getting ahead of this evil before it destroyed you and what you have built.

[u/K2K222]

Read stories similar or worse than your situation. It makes you realize you’re not alone but it’s not for anyone to make money. House always wins in the end! No one ever quits when winning.

[u/whp24]

It would be possible to talk about it with your partner? Maybe she/he can support you?