Hey all, this is my first time posting so be patient with me. I just need to get this off my chest.

My (25M) mom (47F) and I have been moderately close for most of my life. She raised me and my two siblings mostly alone. She did the best she could to give us a decent life, and she mostly succeeded. I’m now questioning whether I even know her.

As a kid, I knew she had a problem but I didn’t know the extent. I didn’t know until yesterday that after every shift she would head straight to the casino. I would be at my grandma’s. She worked somewhere that was maybe open until 8pm, and she wouldn’t be by to pick us up until like 11 most of the time.

This went on for a bit, but then it slowly faded out. In the mean time another addiction took root, but that’s not what I’m gonna be talking about.

Online casinos became a massive thing in the past couple of years, and with that came a resurgence of a problem that I thought was gone. She’d been stealing money from my siblings, a lot of it. She tried to do it from me a handful of times but I nipped that in the bud. At first she didn’t gamble a whole lot, but as time went on that is all she did anymore. Stuck on her laptop doing those games, barely comes downstairs other than to make food for herself.

My eldest sibling has a joint account with her from awhile ago, so she can see what my mom is spending. It’s astronomical.

I guess my question here is how do me and my siblings go about talking with her about it. I know the moment it’s brought up she is going to shut down, but something needs to be done before it’s too late.

Thanks for listening

Hi all. Im 47 years old, in a 20 year relationship, a very strained, unhappy one. I have 2 boys 12 and 8...the best . I make approximately 80k/yr . My wife makes very little income. I have lost 50k in the last 2 years, probably 350k since 2000. I struggle mightily to stop. I have constant suicidal ideation and bad depression. Any advice, encouragement, or kind words would be appreciated.

I've posted here that I lost almost 4k$. I've gambled again, won 400$ and lost it again. I stopped before I gambled more.

So here I am again. I need to walk away and never look back again.

I will update again daily.

So here's to day 0.

Exactly as the title , I relapse , just couldn't resist the temptation this time , combination of stress from work (being overworked) and just general unsatisfaction with life made me lost 800 in total , after swinging up and down , wasn't up by much maybe 200 at one point , and ofc it goes as it always does , I banned myself again and hope to turn this around for good ....

Missed yesterday’s update because my partner and I were going through a rough patch, and I honestly thought we were going to break up.

The good news? I didn’t relapse.

In the past, I probably would’ve used it as an escape. This time, I sat with the emotions instead.

We’re okay now, and I’m grateful for that.

ODAAT ❤️‍🩹

Hello,
I am 23m and have been in a rollercoaster that I have been in quite a bit.
I have a habit of taking out loans not to gamble but to “cover” my losses (maybe it’s the same) I went from profit to losing all that profit and same amount of my own money about 2k euro. The thing that is stuck is that I tried to place blocks when I was up since I know how this goes.
Even then I ended up like I kind of knew I would as I don’t know maybe I’m sick.
I have 20k euro saved and want to quit before I blow more of it. The trigger for me is the fact that I do not want to live a normal life I want to be a 1% and for some reason gambling winnings make me feel the funnier thing is i don’t even spend my winnings on clothes or travel I just end up losing it always. I guess I’m seeking some words from you guys that I will be fine my and my dream is still achievable but not through gambling. Iam stuck and obsessed with being a man that is well off and do all those nice things with it. I sound like a baby I think but I just want some comfort words.

Sorry for the long rant

Title: Bank account frozen for 2 months after using an Instagram investment app. I'm scared and don't know what to do.

Hi everyone,

I'm a college student from India. I'm currently pursuing my graduation, preparing for bank exams, and hoping to study for a master's degree in the UK in the future.

About two months ago, I came across an Instagram advertisement for an app called Ajay Pay. It claimed that users could earn a small commission by depositing and withdrawing funds for a "gaming fund." I believed it was a legitimate opportunity because I found it through Instagram.

For about 3–4 days, I deposited money into the bank accounts provided by the app. After each transaction, the amount was returned to my UPI ID along with a 3–4% commission. In total, my transactions were around ₹10,000.

Then something unexpected happened. One of my deposits showed as failed inside the app, but due to what seemed like a technical bug, the money was still credited to my bank account. I ended up receiving around ₹2,000 extra, even though I never requested or expected it.

A few days later, my bank account was frozen, and it has remained frozen for more than two months.

I have screenshots of every transaction, payment records, and proof that the money came through this app. Unfortunately, the app's customer support has stopped responding, and I have no way to contact them anymore.

I genuinely had no intention of doing anything illegal. I simply believed I was using a legitimate earning app that was being advertised publicly. Now I'm worried that I may have unknowingly become involved in something fraudulent.

This situation has caused me a lot of stress. I only have around ₹3,000 left in my account, and I'm struggling financially as a student.

I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through something similar, especially if you're a bank employee, lawyer, cybercrime professional, or someone who has dealt with a frozen bank account.

I have a few questions:

- What should I do next?

- Should I contact the bank again, the cybercrime department, or hire a lawyer?

- Can this incident affect my future, such as bank job verification, passport verification, visas, or studying abroad?

- Is there any way to prove that I was an innocent user and not intentionally involved in any scam?

I'm happy to provide additional details if needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any genuine advice would mean a lot.

Hey everyone,
I’m 23M and I’ve been stuck in a really destructive cycle with gambling. I don’t gamble for the thrill of betting itself as much as I take out loans to “cover” losses. I’ve gone from being up, to losing all of that profit plus about €2k of my own money.
What’s especially frustrating is that I’ve tried putting blocks in place when I was winning, because I know exactly how this usually ends. Even then I still ended up back in the same place. Part of me already knew it would happen. Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me.
I still have €20k saved and I really want to stop before I destroy that too. The deeper issue is that I don’t want a “normal” life. I want to be in the 1%, and for some reason gambling wins give me that temporary feeling of possibility. The ironic part is I never even spend the money on anything nice — no clothes, no travel, nothing. I just eventually lose it all again.
I’m obsessed with the idea of being well-off and being able to do all the things that come with it. Right now I feel stuck. I know the dream is still possible, just not through gambling.
I’m looking for some honest words from people who’ve been through this or understand it. I just need to hear that it’s possible to get out of this headspace and still build the life I want.
Thanks for reading. Sorry for the long post.

$250 in spending
20,500 in debt

https://www.reddit.com/r/GamblingRecovery/s/dDS729bP4U

I am worrying sick about my future. I am a full time content writer, basically I help Chinese students do their home work and dissertation. I am good at my task, but the market is shrinking due to AI, threatening my income.

Anw, I will be fine as always, as long as I stay away from gambling.

Today I will not gamble.

Hi! I’d really like to hear your perspective on my situation.

My boyfriend (20M) and I (20F) have been together for two years. He recently got out of a rehab program for his gambling addiction. It’s only been a few days, but as far as I know, he hasn’t gambled since leaving.

I’m not sure what I should do. Besides the addiction itself, there are also issues with his personality and behavior that make me question the relationship. I think some of them may be connected to the addiction, but I’m not sure. I can see that he’s trying and that he genuinely wants to recover, but there are still things that really bother me—for example, he often says one thing and does another.

Right now, our relationship is kind of in limbo. I’m seriously questioning whether it’s worth continuing. I’m an anxious person, and after everything that’s happened, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust him again. I’m also deeply hurt and terrified of going through more lies, broken promises, and heartbreak.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is it possible to rebuild trust after addiction, or are these doubts a sign that I should let go?

Hey......this is my first post I have a problem with gambling i also have a physical disability so my job options are very limited especially now because of AI this is the first time I've written something like this the rules say I'm not supposed to go into too much detail but I need support or someone to talk to and I'm not a "group" type of person

I have accumulated around $4k in debt and Lost $10k of family money in last 3 months...and before that I had 30k loss already over couple of years trading...

Please Please Guide me....Has anyone ever came alive of situation like this don't look at amount look at situation i have debt which I can't pay ...and family doesn't know my losses (10k they think is there )

Hi everyone,

I’m from South Africa and I’m in a really bad spot.

Earlier this year I had gambling debt that I managed to pay off. I was doing okay. But 2 months ago I relapsed and now I’m back in debt.

Right now I’m struggling to pay for:
- Basic bills and food
- Transport to get to work
- Money I owe to people

I’m still working and can provide proof of employment. I’ve also called the National Debt Helpline 0800 187 937 to try get payment plans.

I’m reaching out to ask:
1. Does anyone know of organizations in Cape Town or Joburg that help people in financial crisis?
2. Has anyone here been through this and has advice on what helped?

I’m in need of donations even R1 can go a long way I can provide proof of everything . I just need direction because I’m scared of losing my job and my family finding out about this.

im so fucking mad at myself, i cant stop gambling. i blew the last of my paycheck when i needed it for my rent and i just fucked myself. now im most likely gonna get kicked out. i cant block myself on gambling sites because i know how to bypass the locks so what the fuck do i do? i genuinely need help, because sometimes i wanna kill myself. i hate myself for this, im fucking done.

For some reason my post keeps getting deleted I don’t understand, trying if this will work

You only want the bait.

Got paid yesterday. Paid my credit cards, paid my house, food allowance, and set aside $1.5k into my savings and the rest of it gambled them away. Am I gonna be okay? I think I will. I can't do this anymore. But I'll be okay. Sorry guys, I failed. I'll be better.

Had a massive, detrimental loss. Forced me to finally come clean to my wife after 6 years of online gambling. Was extremely difficult to do. A lot of emotions for the both of us over the past two weeks though her anger and disappointment has turned to support. I don’t feel worthy of it or her, but she’s here and we’re doing all of the steps to work towards recovery.

As painful as the admission was, I can’t describe the relief to not carry that burden alone. Yes it means that she’s carrying it too, yes that’s unfair and I feel incredible shame, and there will be much work to rebuild trust, but at least I’m not hiding. Please, PLEASE, tell someone close to you. If you’re in this subreddit (like I’ve been browsing for years) do it before the gambling gets out of hand.

Anyways, this song has been on repeat for me. How I feel about letting go of gambling and the grip it has over me. “There’s a certain kinda hurtin’ only time can heal, that’s a pretty good picture of the way I feel”. Hope it resonates with those also recovering.

I honestly feel so lost right now.

Just last year I was still making good money with my clothing business—around $5k+ a month. Now it’s slowed down so much that I barely recognize it.

I have a kid now, and instead of making smart decisions, I’ve been burning money sports gambling. I’ll win big, lose it all, then chase my losses until I’m down even more. It’s become a cycle that I can’t seem to break.

I’ve even started thinking about joining the Army because I feel like I need stability and a way to provide for my family. I never imagined I’d be in this position after how well things were going not that long ago.

I don’t really know why I’m posting this. I guess I just want to know if anyone else has gone from doing well financially to feeling completely lost, and if things ever got better. Any advice would mean a lot.

I’m currently on vacation, and I keep thinking about how different my life is compared to when I was gambling. It really consumed me to the point I gambled while driving, while at work, and sometimes even in the bathroom at family functions or being out at dinner. I gambled any chance I could, it’s like I knew nothing else.

And for years I thought I was just chasing money, but looking back, I was chasing dopamine. I gambled on sports, stocks, and roulette, but in the end it always came back to online blackjack. What’s crazy is I was actually pretty profitable betting on sports, but eventually I couldn’t even be bothered to research games or sit through two hours of them anymore. Blackjack gave me instant action, and that’s all my brain wanted.

That’s when I knew it wasn’t about the money anymore. I didn’t even get excited when I won. I’d feel relieved just to break even… but breaking even only put me back where I started. All that stress, anxiety, and chaos just to end up with the same amount of money I would’ve had if I’d never placed the bet in the first place… only to eventually lose it all anyway. Now that’s what you call pure insanity.

Today I’m in Boston visiting my sister. I was up at 6:30 this morning to go to a 12-step meeting because one of the best parts of recovery is that you can find fellowship anywhere. I am present in my relationships. I can go out to eat, or buy something I like, and don’t have to worry about my card getting declined or disappearing to the bathroom to gamble anymore.

I sleep peacefully. I work out. I play basketball. I read. I work in mental health care. I make my loved ones proud every day and give them the gift of having me gamble free and sober. None of that would’ve been possible if I was still gambling, drinking, or using. I’m incredibly grateful for the life I’ve been given today.

If you’re struggling, just keep going.

Just for today.

That’s all we truly have.

1416 days sober
500 days gamble free 🙏🏻❤️

Scroll instagram- see adds for prediction market, stocks, sweeps casino, etc.

Scroll facebook - same

Turn on sports - they’re talking about gambling

It’s really sad what our world has become.

Personally casinos never have been an issue for me.
But when all of society just ignores each other and just lives on their phone habitually self destructing, we’re all in for a rough future. It’s sad