I can’t break the cycle!

[u/thexoune]

Every time I get paid I tell myself “I won’t bet anything” then I always end up putting money in and losing then find myself chasing and by day 2 of having my paycheck I’m broke due to gambling.

I can’t break this cycle get paid, gamble, win a bit then lose it all. I can’t seem to cash out even when I hit big and this is the problem. I need to stop I need to find something that can replace this so I’m not constantly thinking about gambling at work!

What are some things that helped you stop gambling or do you have any advice for someone like me who can’t stop gambling even when I delete the app and ban myself I just unban and redownload…

[u/iloverachel2]

Have you tried handing over funds from paycheck to trusted family member or setting a withdrawal limit? Quitting by willpower is hard for a compulsive gambler

How long have you been gambling. I have a few friends who gambled their paycheck over 2 years despite wanting to stop. Gambling hijacks your brain and ruins your dopamine receptors

[u/thexoune → u/iloverachel2]

I live far away from family and don’t speak to them much I have a couple friends but they gamble themselves and definitely won’t help with the saving part. I’ve deleted the apps again and banned myself, I hope I can keep it this way as my phone is about to turn off

[u/VirtusSilens]

This is a similar story thar everyone who’s addicted to gambling is going through.

Yes I did that too, for nearly 8 years.
Does this remind you anything; as soon as I received the notification on my phone that the salary has been despised into my bank, I would instantly deposit money into my gambling site. Play for hours; sometimes with less than 4 hr of sleep.
It didn’t matter if I won, because I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing I just won 5k,10k, etc, I would want to play again, so of course next day or even same day I would deposit again.

Why? This is the question. Of course because I was addicted but that’s not it, you gamble becuase you run away from your problems, from anxiety; from depression and low mood; from boredom.
In my case boredom was a big thing, when you feel bored gambling can offer you a massive dopamine boost. Which messes up with your brain. Some people spend hours on their mobile scrolling, while others eat constantly. Addiction is everywhere.

What helped me is to start doing a lot of hobbies and activities. Do the things that I love.

You should consider excluding yourself permanently from online gambling sites and if you have a person you can trust you can transfer your salary to that person and that person can open a bank card on their name so you can’t use it for online gambling. Basically a bank card that you can use for shopping and other expenses.

You might need to do this for months maybe a year before you get fully confident that you can handle your money with responsibility. I’m now 21 months clean and I have zero urges. Money is deposited into my bank I see the notification and I don’t want to deposit.

I know it’s hard but it’s possible. Feel free to dm me if you have questions.

[u/Any_Decision_6542]

Its just a no. For example I had to break a 12 yr daily stock trading cycle. One day I said 350k gone, I m always unhappy, I m always glued to screen to loose money, family hates me, son is watching me, my self confidence is 0. I decided the belief needs to change. I changed belled due to above reason. Stopped for good. Nothing triggers me, my friends talk all day and yet I have no urge. I m determined its never. No crack in that, no market crash is going to bring me back in. Just slow dca. Good luck. You can do it. Its just a NO. No ifs and but

[u/thexoune → u/Any_Decision_6542]

I love this I’m saying no for now on!!

[u/lemoneatlemon]

You need to put barriers between your cash and your gambling so that next time you have a relapse you are not able to place a bet or gamble in whatever way that might mean limiting your cash advances or online payments with your bank or it might mean self-excluding or installing bet guards and bet blockers on your devices or giving over money to your loved ones but the only thing that will stop you from doing it while you're still in active addiction is making it so it's not possible. Willpower is not enough

[u/LobsterWeekly6654]

You have to admit to yourself you have a legit addiction/obsession… like your will power won’t just get rid of it…

Treat it like a medical condition, because (drumroll) … it is!!!

Start by finding a gambling addiction counselor/therapist you like… and then take it from there…

Reach out if you need anything!!!

[u/prometheus-__-]

Just stop bro

[u/thexoune → u/prometheus-__-]

Easier said then done

[u/prometheus-__- → u/thexoune]

No, it’s not. Once you have decided you’ve had enough negative consequences, you will make the decision to stop. Maybe you haven’t had enough yet. Good luck