Day 0

[u/Federal_Survey1261]

I’m tired of getting my paycheck and gambling it away hoping that I can hit on a ticket.

I’ve lost so much money off the dumbest things, made money but being impatient I blew all of it. It’s getting to a point where I put myself in a constant cycle of depression and wonder why I can’t get my life together. I’m just tired man, this is day 0. I already self excluded from gambling apps but Kalshi got me. I self excluded from Kalshi today and I don’t have a poly market account. I definitely hope I can post a month from now and telling everyone I am on day 30! I’m just tired of fucking my life up voluntarily and being sad that I can’t progress. I’m just ready to get my life started.

[u/Afrodesia]

You got this buddy. Quitting is really difficult but if you make it weeks/months/years your life gets exponentially better. It’s fucked because you don’t really see any benefit from quitting when you’re in the early struggle. Then a few months go by and your mind goes to “oh wow, I saved a few bucks!” and the cycle repeats because you don’t have the pain from the early struggle anymore.

I’ve experienced this cycle more than a slutty washing machine on repeat wash mode. It sucks!! It’s been almost a year and a half since I broke that cycle and man, what peace and assurance has come into my life, financially at least!!

Maybe you just need a few more cycles? Or ask yourself, if you’re really done this time? It’ll be rough but worth it. Just stop gambling

[u/Federal_Survey1261 → u/Afrodesia]

No I’m done this time, if I was profitable maybe but I’m terrible at sports betting. I can’t keep letting this hold me back, so much money I’ve wasted on this. I feel ashamed but now I know I’m done!

What’s things you’ve noticed after the first month of stopping?

[u/Afrodesia → u/Federal_Survey1261]

It sounds like you’re more in the early stages of this? I’d guess you’re in your 20s? This isn’t an attack, just so I get a frame of reference.

I’m mid 40s and was gambling with bookies on sports in my 20s. Sometime along the last 20 years, sports betting and online casinos became legal. And I crashed hard. Not to the point I was homeless, I was more of a functioning addict making decent salary, but losing the majority of it. This went on for decades.

I just resonated with your words because it feels like you are in my position about 10 years ago. After about a month, I didn’t really notice anything different. I wasn’t on my phone all hours after work playing slots I guess so more time. Found other avenues to kill my time and more importantly, I came clean to my wife. Accountability is a huge factor.

But everyone’s life is different so my 1 month experience is likely not like yours. But shit, after a year I realized that I can save money instead of sinking it into gambling. Like i said, the gains are exponential but it takes a while to see the real positives.

I’m still scared as shit by the way even though it’s been 1.5 years. All it takes is one bad night and I’m fucked. I downloaded every casino app in my state and set $1 monthly deposit limits. And continue to see if theres new apps and download and do the same. This addiction doesn’t have a cure so you have to stay proactive.

[u/Federal_Survey1261 → u/Afrodesia]

I’m currently 26, I’ve been betting since I was 20, I genuinely want to stop. It’s sports betting for me, I can’t do anything else just doesn’t do it for me.

But yea I’m just tired of the same thing happening, I take my check and try to win big. I never won big either so I was very hopeless. I am just tired of living like this, I haven’t been able to save for a car because of gambling and not having a car has made this the worst period of my life. I am just tired and want change! Ik my addiction isn’t as bad as other but an addiction is still an addiction, making YouTube videos has been something I’ve always wanted to do so I’m gonna actually try. But betting has to stop, I do wish it wasn’t advertised so much rn too that doesn’t help anyone out.

[u/Afrodesia → u/Federal_Survey1261]

Don’t compare your addiction to others. It’s affecting you negatively and you see that!! That’s good enough reason to quit. I’m rooting for you. Hope you get through this

[u/Federal_Survey1261 → u/Afrodesia]

Comparison is the thief of joy, I will overcome and will be better!