There’s never ending posts and stories from users on their recent ups and (bigger) downs, many of them finishing off with the notion of wishing they could quit, but wondering why they simply can’t. Almost always, there’s answers from people saying ‘go to GA’. Believe me, that is not going to cut it. At all.

Coming from someone who has lost millions, and felt the same way, please consider my advice here.. and if actually implemented, you will have a high chance of beating this gripping, and utterly devestating compulsion.

It does not start with dipping your toes in a GA meeting.

You must FIRST start with taking immediate, and decisive action to remove your ability to access the way you gamble:

-for all legal online platforms, go to the responsible gaming section, and have your account frozen from action.
-for those that use offshore sites via local bookies (this was my personal undoing given all they credit you can get) - have a Frank, and direct discussion with them and flat out admit to them that you wish to no longer play, as it’s ruining your life and that you have a problem. 99% of guys will respect your saying this, and cut you off. Despite their ability to break legs, they really don’t want to see people bury themselves. Ask them to BLOCK your number, then delete their contact. -local casino: go to the security desk, and ask to sign yourself out. CALL AHEAD to let them know you’re coming (and why), as it will mentally help you get to their desk once inside, instead of hitting some tables ‘one last time’ but ultimately get it done. -install Gamban on your phone, should you eventually down the road feel the temptation to open a new account on a site you havent used yet. -put a list of every gambling site you’re aware of on your internet security list of blocked websites, and have a trusted friend password protect the ability to edit this.

You must first take these steps to fundamentally eliminate your ability to even be able to place a bet. Unless this is done to the fullest and complete extent possible, you will have that little voice in the back of your head reminding you of the options you still have. That voice must be silenced permanently.

Once this is done, then by all means attend some GA meetings for some mental support. You will also find a comforting peace of mind that even if you want to, and happen to have some cash available, you’re no longer able to make a wager. It totally removes the mental battle and rationalization that we as addicts seek to find in justifying our next bet.

Continue to attend GA meetings when you feel ‘withdrawals’. The stories from folks sharing there will remind you why you absolutely must stay away from this, and it helps verbalizing your story out loud when you openly share the negative impacts it’s had on your life. It hits home differently when you openly admit to a group of people. This should hopefully help with the cravings, but again, the foremost action that needs to happen is what I first listed above. Failing which you’ll always have that mental tug of war which (1) you simply won’t win and (2) is incredibly draining on your mental health and bandwidth.

Good luck to all who have suffered and continue to suffer from this utter insanity. But believe me, IT IS beatable, and this is the way.