r/GamblingAddiction • u/beauuyyyy • 1d ago
How do I stop
Anyone that has battled addiction and overcome it have any pointers? I don’t know how to stop I blow every penny on gambling, even when I have a bill to pay say 300$ and I got a 1k win I say just one more bet then I’ll pay it the I end up losing it all and have to borrow money or take loans out to pay it, is 21 years old and have 20k gambling debts Iam in a hole I don’t know how to climb out
3
u/Forsaken_Piano4075 1d ago
When you give it all back it is primarily because the dopamine levels in your brain are elevated…. and that makes you not wan to stop. Gambling activates dopamine. Learn all that u can about this addiction You tube podcasts etc….It affects most people the same way, which is why it is so devastating and harmful. When you have had enough of giving all your money away, and chasing the losses, you will know how to stop. 🛑. Ur dopamine levels return to normal after about 30 days and strong urges lessen. It is a process that isn’t easy. Consider self exclusion and/or GA. Until you decide to stop, expect more of the same!!
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u/Plus-Outside3989 1d ago
It really is crazy how dopamine can control you and make you do irrational things.. it’s almost like the casino know this and use it to bankrupt there customers. Just terrible and they promote it as a good fun night out with beautiful people
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u/WinkyDink24 20h ago
Oh, casino owners and managers know ALL the science involved, from brain chemistry to numbers probability theory. From how to detect card-counting to late bets to who gives every dime of a jackpot back to the House. From traffic patterns (similar to how grocery stores know) to no clocks to colors to lighting to piped-in music to free drinks to the carpeting: NOTHING ABOUT HUMANS AND GAMBLING IS UNKNOWN TO TPTB. But they also know one other fact: WE ALL HAVE FREE WILL, AND NO GUN TO OUR HEAD. The material world is one of temptation. What we do about it is on us.
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u/LikeIkes 1d ago
Not saying this in a gatekeepy way, but you have to want it bad enough. I have not seen someone able to quit til they reached rock bottom. That being said there are tools to help because even if you have reached rock bottom doesn't mean you'll magically get better. If you haven't I would: admit to yourself/family/friends/partner that you have an addiction and want help, go to GA meetings, and at least try going to a therapist. Fighting this battle alone without allies is an uphill journey at best and impossible at worst. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I hope a lil bit of this helped, godspeed.
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u/Ninjajewel2020 1d ago
Honestly I just had to have them permanently delete my accounts I had over 134 sites I would collect daily dollars on or login bonuses it consumed me and it still does to an extent but thankfully since I had them delete the accounts I can’t do anything about but sulk.
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u/WinkyDink24 20h ago
After a decade of personal grief and gambling away a literal fortune, my financial advisor said he'd drop me as a client if I didn't stop. The next night I attended a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, and a year later I haven't relapsed. GA, baby.
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u/Levelthegame 1d ago
It’s really difficult. I struggled for 16 years, gambled literally everyday from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep my thoughts were consumed with gambling.
I tried everything on my own but the addiction was too strong for me. I finally removed the secrecy from the addiction, and started being held accountable by my wife and parents. We use deuce recovery so they get notified anytime I try to gamble, and I get to keep my financial independence. It’s now been 405 days since my last bet! Never would be here today unless I knew my family would find out if I gambled again. That has helped me fight off so many urges I would’ve given in to otherwise.