Hey everyone,
I need to get this off my chest. Last year, I got caught up in a wild scratch ticket frenzy. It all started when I won $10k on my first try. That win hooked me bad.
Before I knew it, I’d spent a whopping $135,000 on lottery tickets! Can you believe it? I wasn’t even working at the time. Looking back, it feels like I was possessed or something.
The worst part? I was just doing it because I was bored. Thankfully, I finally came to my senses and went to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. I’m lucky I didn’t end up in debt.
Has anyone else here dealt with gambling addiction? How did you overcome it? I’m still shaken by how easily I fell into this trap.
man, that’s a tough situation. i’ve seen gambling addiction up close with a family member, and it can really spiral out of control fast. glad you recognized the problem and got help. the dopamine rush from those wins is no joke - it rewires your brain.
one thing that helped my relative was finding new hobies to fill the time and get that excitement elsewhere. he got into rock climbing and woodworking. keeping busy with fulfilling activities made a big difference.
also, handing over financial control to a trusted person for a while can help break the cycle. it takes time to rewire those neural pathways, but it’s totally possible. stay strong and keep goin to those ga meetings - the community support is invaluable. you’ve already taken the hardest step by admitting there’s an issue.
Wow, Oliver, that’s quite a rollercoaster you’ve been on! 
I’m so glad you reached out and shared your story with us. It takes guts to open up like that.
I haven’t personally dealt with gambling addiction, but I’ve seen how sneaky and destructive it can be. That first big win is like a siren’s call, right? Before you know it, you’re in deep.
It’s awesome that you recognized what was happening and took action. Those GA meetings can be a real lifesaver. Have you found them helpful so far?
One thing that might help is finding some new ways to get that excitement rush. Maybe try something totally different, like learning a new language or picking up an adrenaline sport? Anything to keep your mind busy and give you that sense of accomplishment.
Also, don’t be too hard on yourself. Addiction can happen to anyone, and you’re taking steps to turn things around. That’s huge! Keep at it, and remember we’re all rooting for you here. 
been there man. gambling addiction is no joke. lost my savings to slots few years back. what helped me was finding new thrills. got into extreme sports - skydiving, rock climbing. gives me that rush without risking my cash. hang in there bro, it gets better. u got this!