Well it’s Time to admit I have a serious Gambling Addiction Problem

38M and serial entrepreneur. I guess the downward spiral starting right around Covid when I got into trading stocks and options after my divorce and got my real first taste of fast big time money. Unfortunately becoming a day trader over the next few years caused my risk aversion to become nonexistent. Fast foward to the end of 2022 and start of 2023 I went full degen on a large option play / short squeeze (BBBY) and was up insane gains and money, I’m talking life changing early retirement on February 5th-6th of 2023 and of course I didn’t exit my positions. I instead watched hundreds of thousands in losses compile over the next few weeks which turned into months until they filed bankruptcy and I lost it all. During this time I took a trip to Oklahoma to some casinos to try and offset my losses / detach from the reality of what was happening with my portfolios. At first I went in a magical run making close to $2m in handpays over a few weeks. This being the first time I ever really played slots or gambled large at casinos. It quickly become a obsession and for the next 2+ years it’s all I could do, think about, care about or put every cent I could muster into. No matter how many times I was up on some crazy run and sitting on 6 figures + I would degen and give it all back.

This is my first time posting and actually admitting publicly or even out loud to myself I have a severe gambling addiction. It has consumed my entire life, ruined all my friends, my relationship with my gf of 5 years and now pretty much I’ve blown everything I have. From selling my assets, m8, home, liquidating all my stocks and options it’s out of control. Especially over the last year 6-8 months once I discovered social casinos. I now could self sabotage and spiral 24/7 from the ease of my phone at home. I’ve played thru over 1.2m in just a few months on one of many I play on WowVegas. It’s ruined my life and I’m now trying to come to terms with stopping and trying to change my life before it’s over. Which at this point I’m pretty much there at rock bottom. I had about $30k left to my name and needed some serious oral surgery work done and instead ended up blowing it all on social casinos in a matter of 48 hours this past week. I don’t even recognize myself anymore and I’m a shell of my past self. I’m emotionless and feel void of all things unless I’m gambling.

Any advice on where to start on trying to stop the addiction or fix this spiral would be appreciated. I called multiple GA rehab inpatient facilities tonight as I need to make some drastic steps to stop. I’ve burned almost every bridge I have with friends and family at this point. With the lies and manipulation to fuel what I would call my junkie mentality the last 6 months or so.

Sorry for the long rant and post. I just needed some place or format to word vomit and start some self accountability with what’s happened and where I’m at after this last few years.