The Moment I Realized I Needed to Change

“If I continue like this, I’ll end up on the streets or worse.”

That was the moment I knew it was time to change.

I had taken out five different loans in a single month. Every time I told myself, “This one will consolidate my debts and make things easier,” and every time it ended the same, I gambled it away.

I started falling behind on rent, loan payments, and bills. That’s when I hit rock bottom.

Before the Realization

Maybe your situation isn’t as bad as mine was, or maybe it’s worse. Either way, remember this: there is always time to change.

My gambling didn’t start with big bets or huge losses. It started small and grew until it became a lifestyle I couldn’t live with anymore.

A typical day back then looked like this: I’d wake up anxious and sick with myself. I’d go to work, put on a mask, and gamble every chance I got. After work I’d gamble again, chasing losses. When I did win, I’d gamble it away. It wasn’t about winning anymore, it was a cycle I couldn’t escape. I couldn’t eat properly, and falling asleep became impossible.

The Breaking Point

After I took out my last loan and lost it all, I sat down and looked at my finances. That’s when it hit me - another loan, another loss, another bet, and I could be living on the streets.

I couldn’t keep up with my gambling anymore. The pressure, guilt, and shame all crashed down at once. That night I decided to stop and to seek help.

Seeking Help

I was in the worst shape of my life. I can’t fully describe how it felt, but I knew one thing I never wanted to feel that way again.

I searched online and found Gambling Services. I was skeptical, that’s just how I am. Few days later I was speaking to one of their therapists on the phone.

That first call made it real: this is it "I’m working toward change". Having someone to talk to helped. She pointed out mistakes in my thinking and asked questions I didn’t have answers to yet. It opened my eyes and showed me there was still a way out.

Don’t Rely on One Thing

One thing I learned early, never count on just one thing to keep you on track. Tools like GAMSTOP and self-exclusion help, but they’re only part of the puzzle.

Build multiple layers of protection so gambling becomes hard to access: block the apps and sites, ask your bank to block gambling transactions, tell someone you trust, and fill your time with better habits.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and you want to change, start now. Don’t wait for things to get worse. Seek help, talk to someone, and begin building your layers of protection.

You can’t undo the past, but you can decide what happens next.