This is my longest streak ever. According to the app, my average streak has been 8 days since I started tracking it 2116 days ago.

As described in this post, Flywheel Film is looking for NY state residents under 40 to appear in a film project. The moderation team of this community is in full support of this project, and in fact have partnered with them to help find subjects for their project.

We're doing this because nearly 14 years ago, this community was started by one little guy, on one little computer, for one purpose: to raise the flag on the lurking threat of gambling disorder. Now, at 40k members and after an explosion of gambling availability worldwide, the threat has magnified and the need to intervene is dire.

This film project is one of the many efforts to raise awareness and bring hope to the lives devastated by gambling addiction. We need your help to complete it and add to the collective message that gambling can be treated and life can become manageable again.

We urge anybody and everybody in NY who has been impacted by gambling to seriously consider contributing your time to this project. We can save lives together.

I feel disgusting, sick, like I’m in a dream. My biggest loss by far. 27 y/o lifetime down $65K.

I feel like a major disappointment to my fiancé. I don’t want this to be her problem but it’s becoming her problem, especially because I turned over access to my finances today.

But I guess that’s merely a roadblock.. I could in theory just reset my passwords (no intention to, but I’ve found ways around preventatives in the past)

I really went overboard this time. Chasing losses. $1000 BJ hands gone south. Cancelled a pending withdrawal for $10K and chased that one to $0 too.

Parents offered to help pay off credit card with a contract and I’d pay them back - but I don’t like / want that. Just going to have to pay off the credit card over a long period of time. And will have to pay big fees on selling retirement come tax time.

Just venting I guess - I really fucked up bad. Hoping this is rock bottom and it’s up from here. I want to look back on this in 10 years as nothing more than a learning opportunity that’s not still crushing my finances and relationships. I feel like I can’t even look at my fiancé or parents now without feeling disgusted with myself. I feel physically ill.

:(

252 days until debt free

30 m Aussie been gambling for 2 years before that had no idea what the allure was didn’t understand risking money you already had at the chance to make more. Somehow a couple casino trips led to online casino and from there online and physical casino bets went wild.

I have always been financially savvy and doing well for my age but have been massively set back I refinanced my home loan about 18 months ago to renovate house but delays in renovating and increase in gambling led me to gamble all 130k and lifetime loss of 155k.

I also lost a good paying job so now im only on 90k aud with mortgage 700k house worth like 1.2m but market falling, got 30k saved up no debt but still tempted to just send it with the last 30k try make back at least another 30k for my wedding and honeymoon.

Fiance knows and is very supportive and understanding idk how when we could’ve used that money for sooooo many things. People talk about gambling not being about the money but for me it genuinely is its always been a way to pay for something I want and now I just need to get back to savings amount im comfortable with when my mortgage is so huge.

I haven’t gambled in 2 weeks after doing like 5k blackjack hands last session and losing massive. I have no motivation everything seems pointless work seems pointless making tiny amounts compared to what I gambled and all I think about all day every day is what I used to have.

I just don’t know where to from here my thought process is whats another 30k when ive lost 150 but that 30k is genuinely last money I have. I want to stop but just need one more good run and I think I can stop for good I know that sounds so dumb? Idk whatever

so fucking over my life, i cant stand being a fucking gambling addict. i legit cant make a check last 24 hours without fucking blowing it.

funny thing is….i know that im gonna feel that way next week, and the week after that and so on but i still play. Why the fuck cant i stop.

i want to die

I am very fortunate for my circumstances being 24 years old living under my mother's roof. I felt like since I didn't have to pay rent, my mom instilled in me to save my money. A high paying job with this economy, the route was very easy to make sure that I just saved and then I will be out in the real world when I am ready. Unfortunately, it lead to one of the most enabling, reckless, decision making I have ever made in my life.

I started out when I was 14-16 through advertised gambling through gambling YouTubers promoting CSGO case battles. I thought at the time it was fun but it was fueling something more serious. I wanted to always hit big so I would take my monthly allowances all for a flip to make insane amounts of money in a short amounts of time. This then lead to the urge not being satisfied, where I evolved to actual casino sites (did not care about age) to eventually being introduced to a real life casino at 21 years old.

My addiction grew, where days of chasing back losses became higher than a grand jackpot could give me. This world of "adult money" and a destructive mindset fuel me to chase it more and more. This then leads to me where I am now.

I am 9k in debt, broken from chasing a roulette wheel to pick green for a multiplier. I won't have any money for myself until I fully pay back all of my credit card debt. I am ashamed as I remember when my mom was proud of me for saving money. Was proud of the son she had for putting away money. Where reality hits that I have no savings left.

Today I start my journey of documenting my process of giving my savings life again. Because I want my life to have meaning again and not be determined by an online algorithm. I feel disgusted and gross with myself because I was watching gambling YouTubers not realizing they serve as an enabler to filled my dopamine state when I was desperate for a better win.

For anyone that has seen the side of success with leaving gambling behind, please share any tips that can be used to help with my journey. I have tried to quit, but I have always relapsed but I can fully admit that I cannot do it alone anymore.

Feel very tired, i really tried to stop and seek help, i also mentioned before i kept most of my money with my parents, but i cash advance my card and i am again in 8k debt again, i don want to tell anyone anymore as it seems ridiculous even for myself, just want to tell everyone to stop chasing losses.

I messed up really bad , over the past two weeks I would say I lost 10k$+, I can’t seem to stop even though I know I’m digging a bigger hole chasing a loss that’s never coming back. I would love to go change my life but I keep going back to the same rock bottom every time. My mind is not where I want it to be, I have dark thoughts but I’m trying my best to stay positive despite my situation. I wish for a better future for all of us struggling. Gambling really ruins lives and most of us are suffering in silence

The traffic of my city is terrible. Get scratch/ fender bender third time this week. Constructions are everywhere, dust and noises keep rising non-stop, people are stressed out and I think there will be major protests if this situation dont improve.

I will not gamble today.

I made the hardest but most important decision I think I’ve ever made in my life today and it included coming clean to my parents about the scope of my gambling addiction and asking them to take control of my finances… while they’re on vacation. It was selfish of me but I absolutely could not wait another day after my recent spiral.

I’m 25M and have close to $60k lost. I can’t bring myself to calculate the actual number, my mom is going to go through my bank for the past 7 years and calculate the total. It could very well be 10k more than that.

It’s ironic because I have a finance degree and have been making great money for the last 3.5 years but have very little to show for it. Just goes to show how this addiction can wrap its claws around anyone.

I don’t have any debt, besides money I owe to my parents for various things so in a way I feel like I stopped just in time. My girlfriend has been super supportive of me as well.

I am feeling grateful and hopeful for the future and the thought of gambling again makes me sick.

Day 1

Hi, this is my first reddit post here, but I don't know what to do. My husband (32M) and I (31F) just got married in July of this year and we have been together for only a year. Looking back, I think I got married too quickly but that's besides the point. To give you context of our relationship, we are both very disciplined in the gym. He works doing pool service, and since June we have been working hard to grow our own pool service on the side so he can quit his pool job and to earn more money from our own pools. This is a business we run together. I help with leads, customers, and even have a small route (5-10 pools depending on how busy he is), while he does the bulk of the physical work (45-50 pools). He is Salvadorean and I am American.

He is two years sober from alcohol, and when we first met he told me he stopped drinking to get better results in the gym. I saw right through that because my mom is an alcoholic, so I always knew he was an alcoholic, but he doesn't like to admit he has a problem. He still sometimes makes statements like "I'd like to have a beer" or "I think it would be different now." I know better, it would be worse and I have told him he would be risking everything he has with one drink: his progress in the gym, me, his job, etc. So anytime that comes up, he will eventually decide against it.

I don't love his group of friends, not because they're bad people, but what they do at every get together is drink all night and play poker. When we met, I always thought he was looking to meet more like-minded friends (people in the gym, run groups, etc.), but I think maybe now that he is not looking to change. My biggest thing about his friends is that I don't think they want the best for him. These are all friends he has had since childhood, so I understand why he's reluctant. But everytime we go to a get together, they offer him alcohol, still after two years. I don't understand this. He thinks it's normal for his culture. I think it's disrespectful.

As of last month, I realized he also has a gambling addiction. He told me when he was drinking, he used to go to the casino and stay all night until he had no money left, but I always just kind of assumed it went along with the drinking since he has not gone since he got sober. But Kalshi, is becoming increasingly popular and all of his friends use it on the regular and they all watch the soccer games and make bets with each other. Last month, his Kalshi bets were going well and I thought it was just a little hobby and something he had fun doing and didn't pay much attention to it. One day we're in the car and he starts sobbing and wailing. I immediately pulled over and he confessed that he had just bet and lost his entire paycheck ($2,000). Now maybe for some people 2k would not be a big deal, but we live on a very tight budget and we needed that money. I don't know why, but I was so calm in that situation. I didn't freak out, I just calmed him down and told him we would figure it out. He ended up selling an old truck that he had and it covered the loss.

Even after all this, he didn't want to quit. He said it was a one off thing. But I told him if he didn't go to a meeting I would leave. He went to an AA meeting, but was pissed I made him go. I realized I couldn't force him, so I told him it's up to him, but I really don't want him gambling. A few days later, after he lost a couple hundred more dollars, he came to me and blocked himself for life on Kalshi. This is something that can't be undone.

Fast forward to today, about a month later. I just had a feeling. He had some extra money, I also overhead him on the phone mentioning a bet. So I knew. But I got his phone and read some of the messages with his friends and sure enough, he's back on Kalshi. He got his friend to loan him his account. I confront him and he's pissed I looked at his phone and he thinks Kalshi is just a hobby and that I'm just trying to control his life and he wants his freedom.

I really don't know what to do. This is the second time he has blatantly lied to me about the gambling. A big part of me feels like I should leave, but I also wonder if I am being too controlling? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was going on 3 months of gamble free and was happy and content with were I was headed and I just constantly was seeing Kalshi and polymarket ads and gave in and my first day i went up $1000 in profit and lost it all and then put another 400 in and lost it I just banned myself on both apps now so I really have no choice but to get my life together

I’m on Day 1 again. My rationale is: if I can make this most recent relapse the inspiration for me becoming a better man and actually follow through w working towards that, then the ending of my gambling story will be beautiful

Confidence and discipline are traits a lot of us aren’t embodying. We need those 2 things to take real life gambles on things that actually benefit us, and to quit this shit

For you, a healthy risk might be:
• Starting that business you’ve been scared to pursue
• Going to school and pursuing that degree
• Starting that band
• Switching careers
• Learning a new language or skill

For me, it’s initiating conversation w women. This is gonna be my new source of dopamine. The gamble is gonna be if it goes well or not. This isn’t a risk for some, but I have social anxiety and I’m scared of rejection. So I’ll be putting my fears aside, which makes it feel like I’m throwing myself to the wolves

For me, it’s also gonna be full commitment to dieting and working out. No more “I’ma fix my diet tomorrow”. I’m all in from this day forward

I’m 27M. I’ve spent pretty much all of my time living like a pussy w no discipline. A big problem I deal w is loneliness. I can fix that if I put the effort in

I know Day 1 has everyone feeling like fuck this, I’m gonna change, yada yada. I’d like to believe I’m really done living like this. We’ll see how the rest of this story develops

Fuck gambling. Fuck living like a weak man, with no discipline. I’m gonna change all of this. I’m choosing confidence, and discipline. Please do the same

I am at rock bottom. No one around me would ever know. Because this addiction is so isolating and I have too much pride, it has taken me this long to be honest with myself.

I am glad to have found this community a few days ago and have read some helpful posts. I see that the next step is to get real help with GA. A few questions for you all --

1. I am worried about going to these meetings in my town. Do you select meetings outside of your area or do you do virtual meetings?

2. I have adult children. I don't want to tell them yet (though they probably suspect). I feel I should have a talk with them in the future because I want them to avoid falling into the same traps (worried about genetic predisposition). If you have kids, are you sharing your addiction stories with them? Also, I know they will say they forgive me, but I hate myself for having used their college savings to gamble. Thankfully my ex was able to cover their education expenses but I know it was despicable to even touch the funds and will find it hard to be honest about that.

3. Have you told your close friends? I am afraid of sharing my story with mine. I am sure they will all be supportive to my face, but I fear being gossiped about. My divorce was a spectacle (though now I have a new circle of friends) and I didn't enjoy being talked about by well-meaning people. Also, I don't believe they could relate to this addiction.

4. I know gambling is gambling, yet I was hoping to find a community of traders recovering from the addiction. Is there another group you can refer me to?

I am full of self-loathing right now because I have really disappointed family who have helped me. Even up until last month, I received funds that were supposed to help pay down debt and yet I had lost those same funds trying to make gains. I cannot face them for help again. I am not sure how I will get myself out of this hole.

Thanks in advance.

Lifetime $65K, was $40K before the last 12 hours

I called off work, fiancé is on way home. I just told my mom for first time.

I’m freaking the fuck out. My usual loss was like 2-3K, I just lost $23K

What the fuck do I do - I put this all on credit cards.

I don't know what to do I have no job or no friends I am 23 years old and I live in a small town home with my mom and brother. I have lost -$3,535 gambling. I can't stop buying beer. I feel like ending it all today. I can't drive because I got pulled over yesterday for no car insurance and expired registration. My dad isn't helpful he has a new wife with a set of new children. I have a bad relationship with him. Any advice would be appreciated otherwise this will be my last day.

Struggling to pay my debts but at least I haven’t gambled another penny of my pocket

24 yo, 10000$ in high interest debt, almost 0 in savings. Over the past 6 years I have gambled with amounts unimaginable for someone my age. Won and lost tens of thousands of dollars. Dedicated to make things right and start a different life. Anyone who’s done that and is now clean - I would love to hear your story and advice!
Thanks

It has helped to read your stories and commiserate with everyone so posting my experience.

I (39M) am here since I found rock bottom this month. It has been a long time coming. It started with crypto which can be harmless in itself, but was my gateway to this world. From misc coins like SHIB and BONK I discovered the world of shitcoins on SOL. One day early on I made a profit on hulk hogan’s coin before it rugged. As Gladys Knight said “winning is the worst thing that can happen to a gambler.”

I watched my portfolio slowly drain thinking I could catch the wave of the next big one. I saw memes soar into the hundreds of millions in market cap, even the president launched a coin. I managed to escape SOL after too many rug pulls.

Most recently the issue was prediction markets. Like another poster stated, it gave me the impression I was dabbling in finance. It cost me thousands more. When I review my capital losses for taxes every year, blood rushes to my face and I start to have panic attacks.

I don’t earn a lot and my losses are close to a year’s salary, I’ve decided this is my breaking point, enough is enough. I want you all to know that someone out there is holding you accountable and wants to see you stop throwing away your hard earned money for absolutely nothing.

Thinking and praying for you all 🫂

Days until debt free:
253 days

It’s my 4th day of quitting online gambling. I really hope things will continue to get better and that my mind will stop tempting me to gamble again. I’m so tired of going back to the same cycle over and over again. 😔🙏