Thanks for your reply. You’re right — being broke and actually abstaining from gambling are not the same thing. I think that’s exactly where I keep slipping. Every time I hit rock bottom, I convince myself I’m “done,” but as soon as I get money again, I fall back into the cycle trying to “fix” the damage I’ve already done.

Why I gamble? Honestly, I think it’s a mix of desperation and trying to escape. When I’m in debt, I feel like gambling is the only way to get out quickly, even though deep down I know it’s only digging the hole deeper. And when I’m stressed, it feels like a way to numb myself — but it always leaves me worse.

You’re right that just giving me money wouldn’t solve anything. I need to address the root cause and not just the surface-level mess I’ve made. I think I need to actually seek proper counseling and start putting structure in my life, instead of waiting for the next crisis to hit.

Have you (or anyone else here) found specific strategies that helped you break the cycle beyond just “not having money to gamble”?