Hi, Gosh really sounds like my story. Well at least the opening chapter. I also won around 10-15k in my first few weeks of gambling online and then lost it all and some. Paid off the 4K overdraft I had used and never looked back.
Then recently, 7 years after my first episode of gambling, I started playing small amounts again. Won around 10k and surprise surprise end up losing around 19-20k. But collectively over the month from other sites, probably in the region on 25-26k
All I can say is never again. You are on the right path by coming on this site and can kick the habit. Be strong and keep sharing your story.
What comforts me is that I can speak openly with you all about my problem and losses. I can’t speak about it to my family or friends for fear of being judged and or rejected.
I will say with confidence today that I finally realise that those big wins for us were actually losses. Big losses and that money will never come back. I don’t intend to chase them and find peace in the fact that I am healthy and have a beautiful family.
Find the positives in your life and focus on those. Nurture them and be happy you are alive and well.
Gambling will only lead to heartache, anguish and regret. That’s what I have realised. I will only be a loser if I depend on them filling any gaps in my Life