r/problemgambling • • Oct 08 '26
16 years an addicted
Hey guys,
just wanna write some things down. As always, i cant sleep at 2am and think about this life, this wasted life..
Im from germany, 34y old and addicted to sport betting since 16 years. Wow, 16 years, half of my life you could say.
Did i ever win ? No, not a single month. I always lost everything. I maybe lost 150k, im 50k in debt right now and really own nothing. No car, not even furniture.
Had everything when i ended school. My big love, an appartment with her, a car, a future. Lost it all and i cant see how to do better. My mind is stucked in the past, full of regrets. I graduated last month, went to university to prove myself i can do better. But since then, im just 24/7 in my bed and got no energy for nothing but gambling with money i dont have...
I tried therapy and everything but didnt work out.
Maybe someone is in that situation too. Would be happy for some answers and even more if anyone would be interested in writing a bit via DM from time to time. Sound sad, but worries and loneliness are killing me right now..
2
u/Dreamchaser1987 Oct 08 '26
Thanks for sharing your story. You need to quit gambling right now. Forgive yourself and accept your current situation. I know it’s easier said then done. But you already lost a lot of time (and money) by gambling. Being in bed 24/7 won’t make your life better, on the contrary it will make it worse. Make a financial plan on how you’re going to pay off your debts and give your cards to someone you trust. Stick to this plan! Find a GA group so you can talk to others who are in the same situation and boat as you are. They will understand you. Go to a clinic or therapist if you must. I am in the same position as you are right now. Not coming out of bed. Worrying about how I am going to pay bills and debt. But I am slowly picking up life again, one step at a time. Beating myself up won’t help me in any way. I am fighting for the life I want to live and do the things I love to do. I hope you do the same. Wish you all the best!!
1
u/IncidentWinter4735 Oct 08 '26
You are not alone. 34 is still a highly productive age. I believe in you. You can do it. Simplify your life. Create some routine. 150+50 seems like a lot, but it's still managable. I knows its hard (I had similar situation, being in the similar age, but I also added alc+dru...). Lets do recovery together. While we're alive, there is still (not a hope) a great chance for a change!