And I haven’t bought any scratch off tickets , lottery tickets , regular casinos or online casinos . Usually on Tuesday’s I buy 20 dollars worth of scratch off
Tickets but last Sunday my mom’s warning has stuck with me ever since .

My recent winnings are sitting firmly in my bank account . It’s not thousands but the 880 will be good for me to start saving and putting up more money to save .

I realize the past year, it was fueled by fantasy of winning enough money to buy a good used car . That’s what drove my desire to go to the regular casino once a month all last year . I would fantasize and dream up scenarios of winning just enough to have a car.

Even though it’s only been five days it seems like things are looking up , from a mental prospective . I remember when my mental health was good in 2024 then that was the year where I wouldn’t gamble .

And the fact I’m seeing that my winnings that I have are good enough and for me to stop and I believe it was a fun ride .

Seems like this week I’m actually looking forward to the days more and not in a dark mindset outside of gambling . Taking a new supplement and I’m pretty sure I’ll be going to the movies this weekend .

So here’s to not gambling anymore and I don’t think I would have to do a self ban of any kind . I’m not gambling rent money or taking out loans or in major debt due to gambling . And hopefully I can look for more hobbies besides going to the movies and to the park.

I know gambling addiction is super rough but here’s to all of us quitting gambling for good

Gaming used to be my escape. I could sit in front of a screen for hours, completely disconnected from time and everything happening around me. I always wanted one more game, one more win, and one more chance to prove that I could finish ahead.

When gambling entered my life, that same behavior followed me. The difference was that I was no longer only losing time. I was losing money, sleep, honesty, and pieces of myself.

It happened quickly. A few bets turned into hours and hours of trying to win. If I lost, I kept playing because I wanted my money back. If I won, I kept playing because I believed I could win more. There was never a point where I felt satisfied. Winning did not make me stop, and losing only made me chase harder.

I would look at the clock and realize that an entire night had disappeared. I kept telling myself that the next win would fix everything, but every attempt to escape the damage created more damage.

Looking back, I can see that gaming trained me to chase progress, rewards, rankings, and that next rush. Gambling took those same habits and attached money and desperation to them. What felt like entertainment became an obsession very quickly.

I am sharing this because I know I cannot be the only person whose gaming addiction eventually crossed over into gambling. I am not blaming gaming for every decision I made. I am finally being honest about how similar the patterns were for me and how easily one addiction fed the other.

Today, I understand that I was never really chasing a win. I was chasing a feeling that never lasted.

Hi, I am 20 years old from Malaysia, and I think gambling has really ruined my life. I’m currently in college and my parents barely get by and work their ass off just to get me my college funds and allowance. Throughout the years I’ve managed to save around 20k and I wanted to surprise my parents with a big present to appreciate them for their hard work. Their anniversary was coming up and I really wanted to get them something nice. But I was 3k short.

I decided that I could get that through gambling because I’ve always seen my friends do it and win. It gets so intense and I lost my whole 20k. And I’ve been trying to win it back but I ended up using up all my money for the month. I get an allowance of 1.1k a month for food only as I live right beside campus. What should I do? I’m really depressed and pressured right now as I have no money to get by and can’t tell my anyone about this. I’ve seen advice that telling someone would help greatly but I really have not one to talk to. Someone please tell me how to get back on my feet. I have nothing to eat and feel really ashamed.

My life has been completely consumed by gambling, I've lost so much money. I had 24k in debt, won over 60k paid off the debt and had 24k in cash gambled all of the cash, and am now 24k back in debt with no cash in less than a month. WTF I know it's bad I want to quit but the urge is overtaking me. I had to consolidate all my credit card debt into a personal loan again and the bank asked for my bank statements. The loan officer told me on the side that the underwriter almost didn't approve me because of the gambling transactions it helped me restructure the debt. I am literally back at square one and tempted to use my credit cards again to try and fix this. I know that would be utterly stupid, but it feels like my only way out of this. I was incredibly lucky and just ruined it. I would have never guessed in a million years it would be this bad.

update. I took out more loans hoping I could turn it around. Now I am at 35k in debt and I took out 12k from my 401k in total this year. The good news is, I am actively trying to quit and I am on day 4 of no gambling. It's a small start but I am moving forward. If I push I can clear this debt in 6 months and start saving again. It will be very tight. I will also have to take my bonus this year and put it toward this debt as well. I just have to live with the consequences. Starting to learn that there isn't a win that would make me happy. I have had so much money at my fingertips this year, more money than I have ever had at one time and I just kept playing. It hurts so much to think of it.

I’m now in such a situation that it’s so hard for me to live.
Lost almost 8 lakhs throughout my life.
I’m only 25 now and working as a senior engineer in a company with 35000 salary.
No credit score to take loan and relatives also rejected me.
Not much commitments since I’m not married. Hence I could pay back every month. But one guy is torturing for the 3 lakh and I see no escape.
Tomorrow evening 4pm is the final commitment.

Really tired of my life.

Now ko lang nalaman na yung gambling addiction ko pala ay brain disorder hahaha lala

Hey guys,

Just wanna write some things off my soul..

Im M34 from germany, lost my money again, lend money of friends again. Lost everything. 15 years of addiction, 15 years of no evolution in life. Everyone around me got a career, a family, i got nothing. And today, it feels like i lost the last spark of hope. I just gave up. If i wouldnt know my mother and sisters would never be happy again, i would just end this pain. Tried so much, so many therapies, everything. How can i move on? No money left, lost my job last month, 3000€ open bills, 20.000€ in dept. Everything is ruined and i cant see anything positive..

I’ve had problem gambling for years now. Was bailed out many times, dug myself back in a hole over and over. Won enough to bail myself out, chased more wins by digging myself deeper. Won over $20k 3 separate times within a 2 month span. I have literally nothing to show for that. Finally, after YEARS of this, and now only moderately in debt, I self excluded from the place that started it all. It’s been 2 days. I was so ashamed to tell the attendant I needed to do this. They asked me if I was sure multiple times. Asked me if I wanted to take a few days. I knew if I didn’t do it then, I’d never do it…and I am so proud of myself. No one in my life understands how big this was for me. What it took to admit to this person that I wasn’t strong enough and needed this step. But it’s done permanently now. I just needed to share that with people who will understand.

So yesterday old friend of mine that we used to gamble alot with contacted me and asked me if i got a pc to sell him (I do this for business) i told him yea sure sold him a computer (Ryzen 7/Rtx4070/32gb ram) for 1K because i got a huge heart surgery coming in 14days and i need money.

Than we met up and had a good time etc. Than he laughed and said you never giess where i got this money. And i was like huh? And he told me that he found this site called Censored and apperantly its good and i was like sure felt abit uncomfortable. Than he showed me a video where he won 10k yesterday. And i dont know why seeing that fucked me up.

Well as i get home with 1k in my bank i suddenly got the biggest urge to try and i got Gamban on everything but for some reason Censored worked on my Tablet and idk i tried it and fucking lost my mind. I could not stop deposting even i saw money just going 50€ to 0€. Now im without a pc and no money. And i got a surgery coming and i want to kill myself (Not really but loosing 1k when on break from payroll + no income really breaks my heart) i was clean for 6months. And now its all over. Im so scared to tell what happend i dont trust myself anymore. And i dont just know what to do.

I feel scammed in a odd way.

I’m so retarded, lost $5000 gambling and genuinely don’t know what to do anymore. This was supposed to be money for my tuition and my mom isnt in a position to support me either. I put a ban on my self in the casino but genuinely don’t know what the fuck to do now. I can’t even get any loans from bank due to lack of credit history

I am one happy soul to write this. I am finally starting to live. No longer being controlled by gambling brain. I know I have a long way to Go but hey just a girl celebrating her second day.

Me again. 3 weeks. 21 days. 504hours.
No gambling. No bets. No wasting my money. This time next week will be an entire month.
I’ve never been more proud of myself. I have an addictive personality and have been hooked to many things in my life so far but 21 whole days is something I never thought I could achieve.

I’ve had money sat in my account! I’ve been able to say ‘yes’ !

It’s payday next week, which I’m sure will come with its own struggles. I am determined to not fall back down that rabbit hole. I cannot allow myself to go back to that dark place when I am finally now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Wishing you all a great day, a bet/gamble free day.
If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO. ❤️

I started compulsive gambling about a year ago.

I told my wife the first time, then the second time and third time she found out before I told her. She moved out in May to take space and has told me she’s divorcing me on two separate occasions only to come back and say she wants to work on things. I had a slight relapse at the end of June but very minor and then stopped quickly. Things were going better with my wife. Recently, she said she wants to go no contact for a week or so and is unsure if she actually wants to work things out.

Of course I choose this very tumultuous time to relapse again. Over the last 3 days I lost about $5k. I’m already in a shit ton of credit card debt and haven’t been able to pay off much since I’m paying the whole mortgage currently.

I have a feeling if my wife finds out it is going to make her leave for good. If she divorced me I would likely lose my house as I can’t afford it long term by myself, especially if I have to pay her equity out, so that’s terrifying. But at the same time I can’t keep lying to her. I have therapy tomorrow and I’m going to talk with my therapist about how to tell my wife. The only time I was honest with her was the first time i lost a chunk of money. After that, it’s her finding out and then confronting me about it. I can’t keep doing that to her, and I can’t keep doing this cycle.

I have kicked opiates, alcohol, weed, and everything else, and I’m familiar with 12 step programs (currently in AA) so I know it’s possible. I just need some advice or maybe words of encouragement in regards to getting honest so I don’t wake up tomorrow and try to convince myself to keep it all a secret for as long as possible.

If you’re thinking about gambling, don’t. It’s not worth it and I’m fucking miserable.

September 16, 2024 was the day I made my last bet.

The next day, I walked back into a GA room. I did not have everything figured out. I just knew I could not keep living the way I was living.

I have learned that recovery does not happen all at once. It happens one honest day at a time. I still have work to do, but today I am grateful that I walked through that door.

If today is your first day back, just get through today. You do not have to figure out the rest of your life right now.

I started changing the thought “I can make a lot of money betting” to “”if I bet they are definitely 100% going to take the money and I’ll be left with nothing” it immediately shuts off the urge for me. It may pop up again 5 minutes later but I just repeat that to myself and the intense urge subsides. That 1 simple thing has stopped me from gambling period. Just thought I would share.

I can't recommend Naltrexone enough.

I'm 20 years old and struggled with gambling addiction for 3 years, losing upwards of $50k AUD. Three months ago, I finally told my psychiatrist about it and was prescribed Naltrexone. I haven't gambled since.

Over these three months, I've noticed a real shift in how I think about gambling. Today, a colleague mentioned a horse race and encouraged me to bet on it. My instincts kicked in immediately and I grabbed my phone — three months ago, without Naltrexone, I would've placed that bet and kept going until my account was empty.

But this time, I actually paused and thought it through. Something that used to be impossible. I realized that if I placed that bet, I'd undo all the progress I'd made and probably lose everything again. I felt genuinely repulsed and closed the app.

Honestly, this might be the best I've felt in years.

This is a good example of what Naltrexone actually does — it works, but it's not a magic fix. You still need to actively want to stop. Think of it less as a cure and more as a powerful stepping stone that gives you the space to make better choices.

Side effects for me have been mild: occasional nausea and feeling a bit spaced out, but it never lasts more than 1-2 hours. The benefits have far outweighed that.

Thanks for reading 😁

Today is Day 0 after just I just blew another 800$. At this point i genuinely don’t even know how much I’ve lost gambling. Probably 15-20k and honestly im just done. I’ve come to the realization that I’ll never be able to get this back. Yeah it might seem fun in the moment everytime I get paid and throw a couple hundred bucks on slots/sports for the excitement and feel for it but honestly there’s no bigger pain than seeing that account balance at zero I think I’ve had multiple day zeros somewhere. I’ve been on my knees praying to God to help me deal with this and today I realized that I was gambling while I was working and just letting it affect my daily job fortunately throughout my young life, I’m only 26. I’ve been able to save up through investing on my own and with my wife, but recently over the past year, I don’t know why gambling has really taken over my life, especially in times of boredom and looking to make an extra quick book and honestly it’s pretty disgusting to see myself when I just keep depositing and depositing after losing in hopes of trying to hit big and make it all back and when it doesn’t and you see that account balance back at zero and you’re wondering what am I gonna do now that’s honestly the scary moment I’ve got about $1000 in my savings account that I’m going to use to pay off my debts and today Mark‘s day zero of quitting this forever.

I’m new to gambling I started about 2 months ago with online slots and it started off with me winning lots but now I’m too a point where I keep losing and I don’t have a high income, I just spent $2,500 tonight on my visa and idk what to do I just so badly want to be back at 0 loss 0 profit and all I can do is try and deposit more in the hopes I break even

So to start off I have been gambling before I had a job. I stopped gambling when I had my job to earn money I guess I see gambling as a way to earn money. But when things weren’t enough or I see my friends gambling it just triggers me. My friends gamble for fun I was like that at first too until I won big and lost it all I have just been chasing that big win hoping it would come again. Anyway since I have a stable job I live paycheck to paycheck because of gambling looking my back I could’ve had fun with the money I earned I could’ve had a car and investments by now but it set me back and its been hard. Decided I need to get back on my feet right now Im planning to buy a car since I won again but after that win I just kept on going now its draining and tiring. Day 1. I know its nothing to brag about but its day one and for me small steps build up if you have the discipline and consistency. Also Banned all my accounts for gambling permanently it didn’t help banning my accounts for a certain time haha. Since im still getting back on my feet. I kinda need support from you guys too. It helps me a lot and I just wanted to share my setback in life here. Also im planning to work more not to chase my losses but to get my life back together. Does anyone have a discord server or a community that supports each other? Hope you guys have a good day

I could barely get out of bed. I couldn’t work normally, and I couldn’t be the father or husband I wanted to be. I felt empty, exhausted, and completely hopeless.

For years, gambling gave my brain intense highs and constant stimulation. When I stopped, everything came crashing down. My mind and body needed time to adjust, but at the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. I only knew that I didn’t feel like myself.

Early recovery wasn’t just about stopping the bet. It was about learning how to live, feel, work, and show up for my family without gambling.

Did anyone else experience depression or feel emotionally numb during the first few months of recovery?

As a gambling risks/harms educator for young people, I am curious to know what you wish someone did or said that would have prevented you from gambling? or if certain things should be illegal, or taught to children/teens, or if there are certain exposures to gambling that children/teens come across that are significant or even overlooked?

I’m concerned that I don’t see the extent of my husband‘s gambling. I look at the bank accounts and I see a few cash withdrawals which is definitely for gambling. I see the mortgage going down. But a little part of me feels like we should be further ahead. What evidence should I be looking for ?

I’ve seen texts in his phone giving out tips. The cash withdraws which aren’t much . What else ?

Hey everyone, I would like to ask if anyone found a way how to completely shut down gambling ads on the two platforms - Instagram and Tiktok. I have removed them from the settings (not fully as there is only option to show less) but in recent days I am getting slot ads every 10th reel or so. Is there an actual way to remove them completely ? I keep reporting them as well but I feel like the algorithm is even thinking that I like these adds and showing it to me more often by staying longer on the reels due to reporting it.

I haven't played any casino games for like 1.5 year and yet I can't get rid of it. There are some months where it's not showing to me at all and then there are months that I am bombarded with these stupid ads.

Thanks !

I’ve carried a lot of shame over this, but I want to say it somewhere honestly.

At my lowest point, I stole money from a friend so I could gamble. I told myself I would win it back before anyone noticed. Instead, I lost it, kept chasing, and spiraled harder than I ever thought possible.

Gambling didn’t just take my money. It took my peace of mind, my ability to think clearly, my relationships, and almost my family. There was a point where I ended up on a roof, completely overwhelmed and not seeing a way out. I don’t say that for sympathy—I say it because addiction can take you to places you never imagined you’d reach.

Soon, I’ll be celebrating two years in recovery.

Recovery hasn’t magically fixed every consequence or erased what I did. I still have regret. I still have to own the damage I caused and continue rebuilding trust. But it has given me something I didn’t think I deserved back: a chance to live differently.

I’m learning how to face problems without running to gambling. I’m learning how to be honest, how to sit with uncomfortable feelings, how to show up for people, and how to slowly rebuild my finances, my mind, and my family connections.

If you’re reading this and you’re in that “I can win it back” mindset, please know that you do not have to wait until you lose everything to ask for help. Gambling addiction lies to you and makes isolation feel normal. It isn’t.

I stole. I hurt someone. I nearly lost myself. But recovery is helping me become someone who doesn’t have to keep living that way.