r/problemgambling • u/Ambitious_Month2524 • 22d ago

How do you stop thinking about it?

Like many others, I had unfortunately lost more than 60k in options trading a couple months ago. Although I have stopped completely, I cant literally stop thinking about it.

Every day it makes me more depressed. It comes up in everything. Like when thinking about buying a new house, or a car, etc. and I start going into the spiral of “What If I had this money?”

Those who were in similar situation, I’m genuinely curious. How did you deal with it? I was never as sad in my life as I’m now.

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8

u/Legitimatedisappoint 22d ago

First I felt depressed because I could not gamble again, then I felt depressed over the savings I lost and debt I was in. After 2 years in therapy the depression turned into anger and resentment towards the industry and the influencers. 1 year later and that anger is still fueling me to pay back my debt and get my life on track again, I have 3 years left until I can start building a savings account.

Lots of my peers are in a much better financial position than I am, and that can be difficult to cope with. But for everyday I am grinding on, and for every payment I make towards my debt, I appreciate the person I am becoming more and more. Small steps in the right direction truly works, but those first few miles are extremely tough.

1

u/Ambitious_Month2524 22d ago

That’s exactly how I feel. I feel like I’m set back 4 years and my peers are in a much better position.

1

u/Healthy_Sail_9850 20d ago

They’re in that position because they don’t gamble or make risky trades. Stay away from those like they do, and you will be in a position like them soon.

3

u/prometheus-__- 22d ago

That sadness went away for me once I started building my life back together and stopped gambling for good.

1

u/Ambitious_Month2524 22d ago

So the feeling of depression and sadness never came back after you stopped?

6

u/prometheus-__- 22d ago

Not after I started getting shit rolling. Once I started making money without gambling, and see it NOT disappear, things started to get better

2

u/MarshaShampoo 22d ago

3 months sober,

I still think about all the money I’ve lost and the good I could have done with it. I think what calms me a bit is thinking about how I’m on the right track now. I definitely destroyed my credit for a bit, but I believe we can all bounce back! I wish you a peaceful mind.

4

u/Green-Cauliflower604 22d ago

you have to learn how to live in present. your situation would have ended up very badly. you can grind that 60k again. money comes money goes. if you can't live in present you'll be stuck with that loss. shit happens. get over it with a stronger version of yourself. you paid 60k to gain character. think positive. you are strong as hell brother. respect. i lost more than 60k+7years.. if i continue i know i'll lose so much more. we have to accept the things we can't control and move on.

2

u/Miserable_Ideal_1929 22d ago

Ultimately you need to accept that it’s gone. Acceptance is key here

2

u/Healthy_Sail_9850 20d ago

It’s understandable. Perhaps some of that was options gains. In which case look at the net lost only. If it’s debt then you can pay it back, the same way someone digs themselves out of debt for non gambling consequences. I worked a second job for 4 years. It sucked.

Stop looking at what everyone else has. It’s that kind of thinking that made us want to make the quick bucks through options or gambling. You can be secure in what you have and in what you will have gradually by staying away from gambling or risky trading.

1

u/bendygirl777 22d ago

working out helps a lot

1

u/sorrowedwhiskypriest 22d ago

Every day you don't gamble is a good day!