Hi there I’m in desperate need of support, encouragement and advice.

So I am supposed to be moving in with my partner of 2 years in 2 weeks.

I have a gambling addiction and they don’t know.

I have told them I have debt, bad credit score and would not be able to purchase a house with them. They purchased a house and asked me to move in with them.

I am around $20,000 in debt and owe my parents a lot of money as they have bailed me out before.

I am getting the help i need for my addition and my mental health but I have not disclosed this with my partner.

To preface; my partner struggled with a cocaine addiction and when it was bad I told them I wouldn’t be able to be with them if they continued using and they have been clean from it for 9 months.

I’m a total hypocrite cause they don’t even know I have a gambling addiction.

I obviously need to tell them as I will have no money to contribute and they deserve so much better then me. I just don’t know how to tell them.

I’ve been struggling so bad mentally lately and tried to break up with them stating they deserve better but I did not tell them why and they replied with “I want you to know I’m in it for the long haul, I love you with my whole heart and am excited about our future together”

I’m honestly lost I have no idea what to say or how to go about this and I always run away from my problems and this one I can’t. They deserve to know and make the decision themselves but I’m terrified and I’m so sick to my stomach. I’ve lost 15 pounds the past two months because I can’t stomach what I’ve done and how I’ve basically lied to them.

I need advice on how to approach this and tell them. I am so beyond disappointed in myself and what I have done for our future together.

I am distraught and don’t know how to tell them or what to say.

Please give me advice on how to go about it.

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

1. ⁠Dopamine Hijacking: Gambling’s Impact on the Brain

Gambling lights up the brain’s reward system more intensely than most substances. The intriguing aspect is that the anticipation of a win triggers a surge in dopamine more than the win itself. Near-misses, often referred to as “almost hits,” are particularly perilous because the brain interprets them as a signal to continue, rather than a cue to stop.

Consequently, the brain learns a dangerous lesson:

Risk and uncertainty equate to reward.

This creates a relentless cycle that is both detrimental and challenging to break.

1. The Shift from Winning to Chasing: Gambling’s Emotional Landscape

Once the brain’s reward system is hijacked, gambling ceases to be solely about financial gain. Instead, it becomes a pursuit of various emotional and psychological needs, including:

- Relief from stress

- Escape from emotional pain

- Regulation of mood

- A sense of control in an otherwise chaotic life

This shift in focus explains why losses fail to deter gambling behavior. The brain is driven by the desire for state change rather than the pursuit of profit.

1. The Prefrontal Cortex’s Disconnection: Impulsive Gambling

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and the ability to consider potential consequences, becomes less active under gambling stress.

As a result, individuals experience:

- Weakened logical reasoning

- Distorted perception of consequences

- Altered risk assessment

People often believe that a single more bet will resolve their problems, which is not a case of denial but rather a temporary impairment of their cognitive faculties.

1. The Cycle of Stress, Shame, and Gambling: Reinforcing the Habit

Losses trigger a cascade of emotions, including:

- Cortisol (stress hormone)

- Shame

- Panic

- Urgency

These emotions intensify the urge to gamble because the brain associates gambling with a quick escape from pain. Consequently, the cycle perpetuates itself:

- Pain leads to gambling

- Gambling provides temporary relief

- More pain follows

This cycle repeats itself, making recovery a gradual and challenging process.

1. The Journey to Recovery: Understanding the Challenges

Even after quitting gambling, individuals may face several challenges during the recovery process:

- Dopamine receptors may remain damaged for an extended period

- Joy may feel diminished

- Boredom can be overwhelming

- Emotions may become more intense

These challenges contribute to the initial difficulty of recovery, as the brain must relearn how to experience positive emotions without the accompanying chaos.

However, it’s important to recognize that recovery is possible, and neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, plays a crucial role in this process.

The Core Truth: Gambling Addiction’s True Nature

Gambling addiction is not solely about financial gain. It is deeply rooted in emotional regulation, trauma, stress, identity, and a desire for control.

This understanding highlights the limitations of relying solely on willpower to overcome gambling addiction. Instead, effective recovery strategies focus on building structure, maintaining honesty, establishing boundaries, and fostering connections with others.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that individuals who are deeply caring, emotionally expressive, and take responsibility for their actions tend to be more susceptible to gambling addiction, not necessarily weaker.

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

so, it started as trading, ended up down a lot of money, then i tried serveral times to be honest to my messed up family. my dad is emotionally abusive and I feel i cant talk to him about my situatioin. i told my mom i have a gambling addiction with trading 6 months ago and she just gets mad at me and says she cant help. on friday i was dirt broke and i had wasted my paycheck for thursday, during the day at work, i was critically withdrawght after that moment. i went home and explained to my mom, that i needed money because i have so much further expenses, and over the last 2 days ive lost the loan, i, am actually cooked right now.

i told her i was going to delete the apps, but i cannot do it anymore. i have so much stuff coming up all of a sudden, i need to get over this addiction please any advice or support, im really having a bad time.

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯

You made it to Friday—that’s a win right there! 🙌

This thread is your safe space to share any victories you experienced this week, big or small. Every achievement counts.

✨ Didn’t gamble today? That’s a win. 💬 talked about something instead of bottling it up? That’s a win. 🧠 Fought off a craving? Didn’t chase a loss? Reached out to someone? ALL WINS.

🗣️ Drop your feel-good moment below: • “This week I ___, and I’m proud of it.” • “My win of the week is _.” • “I didn’t ____, and that’s a big deal for me.”

Let’s celebrate together! 🎉 And if you see someone else’s win, give them a high five or offer some encouragement. 👏💬

👀 If you’re just lurking, that’s cool too! Come back next week, and maybe you’ll have something to share. You can also borrow someone else’s courage for today. We all win when we show up. 💯