ODAAT Gambling Awareness

Gambling counselor Steve Rose breaks down the excuses that keep people gambling. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg Steve Rose, PhD, is an addiction counsellor specializing in gambling and the psychological traps that keep people stuck. Based in Ontario, Canada, Steve combines his background in sociology, addiction counselling, and years of direct client experience to make gambling addiction easier to understand and overcome. Through his YouTube channel and private practice, he helps people recognize the patterns behind their gambling and take practical steps toward rebuilding meaning, purpose, and connection in their lives. In this episode, we break down the biggest thinking traps behind gambling addiction, including the belief that one big win will fix everything, the urge to chase losses, the illusion of control, sports betting triggers, free bet promotions, and the feeling that life will be boring without gambling. Steve, a gambling addiction counselor, explains the four pillars of gambling recovery: seeing the illusion, protecting yourself from relapse, healing the urges underneath the addiction, and building a better life after quitting gambling. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Aaron shares the truth about fantasy sports and gambling statistics 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Thanks to Gamban for sponsoring today's video. If you want to block gambling sites and apps on your devices check out https://gamban.com Can you actually beat sports betting if you know the stats better than everyone else? Today’s guest is Aaron, a statistician and former intern for the St. Louis Cardinals organization, who spent nearly two decades obsessed with fantasy baseball. What started as a passion for analytics and baseball slowly became an unhealthy obsession rooted in control, prediction, and the belief that if he worked hard enough, he could outsmart the system. In this conversation, Aaron breaks down the psychology behind fantasy sports, daily fantasy betting, and modern sports gambling from the perspective of someone who deeply understands statistics. We talk about variance, unpredictability, why sportsbooks are nearly impossible to beat long term, and how gambling companies use the illusion of skill to pull people in. Aaron also shares how fantasy baseball mirrored many of the same emotional highs and lows seen in gambling addiction — the obsession, the rage, the feeling that every loss was personal, and the belief that the next prediction would finally prove you were smarter than everyone else. We also dive into: Why sports are far more random than people think The dangers of microbetting and pitch-by-pitch wagering Why daily fantasy sports feels more like gambling than skill How modern sportsbooks use massive amounts of data and AI Why young sports fans are especially vulnerable today The illusion that “doing more research” guarantees profit How sports betting companies profit off false confidence If you’ve ever believed you could outsmart the books, this conversation is worth hearing. Gambling addiction is real, but so is recovery. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Brian shares some insights from his work as a gambling journalist 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Online gambling, sports betting, prediction markets, and casino apps are expanding faster than most people realize. In this conversation, I sit down with Brian Pempus, founder of GamblingHarm.org, to talk about how the gambling industry has changed, how sports betting apps are being marketed, and why gambling harm is becoming harder to ignore. We talk about prediction markets, self-exclusion failures, sportsbook fines, gambling ads, celebrity endorsements, microbetting, DK Replay, and why so many gambling companies hide behind the phrase “we’re regulated” while the harm continues to grow. Brian also breaks down recent data showing more online sports bettors chasing losses, feeling shame after betting, and experiencing warning signs connected to gambling disorder. This episode is not just about individual addiction stories. It is about the system around gambling: the companies, the regulators, the advertising, the technology, and the incentives that keep pushing people back toward the next bet. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, you are not alone. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Tom shares his experience with addiction. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Gamban has just launched a new Discord platform for those looking to chat about gambling addiction and recovery in partnership with the CSGO team Ecstatic! Sign up here: https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch About Tom: Tom is a social entrepreneur building a conscious alternative to existing sports betting apps. Tom didn’t just struggle with addiction… he helped build the very industry that fuels it. From creating early sports gaming products to raising millions of dollars and chasing success, his journey shows how deeply embedded the profit motive is inside the gambling ecosystem—and what that does to the people inside it. What started as ambition turned into pressure. Pressure turned into coping. And coping turned into addiction. In this episode, we break down how the gambling industry is designed, why “maximizing shareholder value” drives everything, and how that leads to real human consequences. Patrick opens up about alcoholism, hitting rock bottom, and the moment everything collapsed. But this isn’t just a story about addiction. It’s about awareness, accountability, and what happens when someone on the inside wakes up. If you’ve ever wondered why gambling feels so hard to escape… this conversation explains it. If this message resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to help spread awareness that gambling addiction is real—but recovery is possible. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Cade shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Cade’s story is one of the most powerful examples of how fast a gambling problem can escalate when left unchecked. What started as casual gambling in college quickly turned into something much darker. Over time, what felt like harmless fun became a daily habit, then a financial strategy, and eventually a full-blown addiction that took control of his life. As Cade climbed the ranks in his banking career, the pressure to succeed and “keep up” financially only intensified the problem. What began as occasional gambling turned into gambling during work hours, chasing losses, and using money meant for basic necessities just to try to stay afloat. Like many people struggling with gambling, he believed he could fix everything with one big win. But that moment never came. Instead, the situation escalated to a breaking point where desperation took over. Cade made a decision that would change his life forever—embezzling money from the bank he worked at. What followed was fear, anxiety, legal consequences, and the realization that gambling had completely taken control. This video breaks down how gambling addiction progresses, how quickly it can spiral, and the real-life consequences that most people never see. But more importantly, it shows that even after hitting rock bottom, recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you are not alone. There is help available, and there is a way out. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Nick shares his story of gambling addiction 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Nick’s story starts earlier than most. At just 9 years old, he fell in love with poker. By 15, he was already receiving thousands of dollars in winnings, gaining validation from family, and believing he had found his path. What started as a “strategy game” quickly became something much deeper. In this episode, Nick shares how early success, validation, and the illusion of control pulled him deeper into gambling. From winning over $100,000 online to eventually losing it all through sports betting and casino games, his story highlights how quickly things can spiral. The transition from poker player to full-blown gambling addiction didn’t happen overnight—but once it did, it changed everything. We break down the poker boom, the psychology behind early wins, and how boredom, isolation, and easy access to betting led to escalating behavior. This is a story about identity, ego, and the dangerous belief that you’re different from “other gamblers.” If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is meant to show that gambling addiction is real—but so is recovery. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Vin shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY Vin didn’t start gambling as an addict. He started like most people do… casually. A day at the racetrack, a few bets, and then something happened that changes everything for so many people: he won. That first win didn’t just give him money, it gave him a feeling he had never experienced before. A rush. A high. A level of mental stimulation that completely consumed him. Within months, gambling wasn’t just something he did. It became something he needed. In this episode, Vin shares how he went from a high school English teacher with a stable life, a wife, and a newborn baby… to living a double life consumed by gambling addiction for seven straight years. He wasn’t just betting occasionally, he was gambling every single day. Horse racing, lottery, sports betting, bookies—anything he could find action on, he bet. And like so many people struggling with gambling addiction, it stopped being about winning or losing. It became about being in action. That constant cycle of anticipation, betting, and chasing the next moment slowly took over his entire life. From the outside, everything looked fine. He had a career, he built successful businesses, and he was providing for his family. But behind the scenes, he was lying constantly, sneaking around, and draining everything he built into his gambling habit. He describes it best himself: he was stealing from himself. The money didn’t go toward his future or his family, it went right back into the cycle. And the worst part? He knew early on that it was out of control. This wasn’t a slow decline—he recognized the madness almost immediately and still couldn’t stop. That’s the reality of gambling addiction. It doesn’t wait years to take hold. It can happen fast, and once it does, it rewires how you think, how you spend your time, and what you prioritize. In this conversation, we break down how early wins hook people, why gambling becomes about action instead of money, what it’s like living a double life, how addiction escalates across different forms of gambling, and the impact it has on family, relationships, and identity. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Bryan shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Most people think gambling addiction looks obvious. It doesn’t. Bryan hid his addiction for nearly a decade while building what looked like a “perfect life” on the outside. Pharmacy school, a six-figure job, relationships, friends… but behind the scenes, everything was falling apart. In this episode of the One Day at a Time podcast, Bryan shares how gambling went from fun bets at 16 to constant, uncontrollable behavior fueled by apps, free bets, and nonstop access. We talk about: How easy it is to hide a gambling addiction The role of boredom and isolation How sportsbooks keep you playing (even when you're broke) The moment everything finally broke And what actually helped him get into recovery If you’ve ever thought “this couldn’t happen to me,” this story will challenge that. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Recovery is possible. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Alex shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban is an awesome blocking software for your devices to get rid of access to gambling websites and apps. If you're struggling to stop gambling, this could be exactly what you need to help leave it behind for good: http://gamban.com/getapp Alex, a 29-year-old from Sydney, Australia, whose story is both confronting and deeply inspiring. After seven years of gambling, Alex’s addiction came to a head the day he was called into the office and placed under investigation for defrauding his employer. What he describes as the worst day of his life became the first day of his recovery. Alex shares how his journey began at 18 with his first experience in a casino. After losing money, he was initially turned off and walked away. But at 20, he was introduced to online sports betting — something that felt normal, accessible, and socially accepted. That’s when the hook set in. What started as casual betting slowly evolved into secrecy, shame, and decisions that would ultimately alter the course of his life. He speaks candidly about the pressures that fueled his addiction — the pressure to succeed, to meet expectations, and the constant need to feel in control. He reflects on the moment everything collapsed, the fear of losing his career and reputation, and the painful but necessary step of finally telling his loved ones the truth. For Alex, recovery didn’t begin with willpower — it began with honesty. Now in recovery, he shares how gambling wasn’t just a financial issue, but a mental and emotional battle rooted in identity, pride, and self-worth. His story is a powerful reminder that we are not defined by our worst decisions, but by how we choose to move forward. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Chaz shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ About Chaz: Chaz Donati is a gambling awareness advocate, wannabe endurance athlete, living a simpler and healthier life after a 15 year battle with gambling addiction. He’s hopeful that by sharing his story, others won’t feel like they are alone in this fight. Follow along his personal physical / mental health challenges on Instagram at https://instagram.com/chazdonati What does it feel like to watch life-changing money turn into Monopoly dollars? In this episode, Rob sits down with Chaz Donati to unpack a sports betting addiction that escalated from small poker nights with friends into high-stakes online betting, bookies, loans, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers. Chaz shares how gambling started innocently with $20 poker games and fantasy football before evolving into constant sports betting action. What began as entertainment slowly turned into a second life built around studying lines, chasing losses, and believing that sports knowledge meant he could beat the system. Eventually the stakes exploded. After a major financial payout from company equity, Chaz suddenly had access to more money than ever before. Within months, hundreds of thousands of dollars flowed through his FanDuel account, and what should have been life-changing money began to feel like Monopoly money. In this conversation we discuss: • How early wins create the illusion that you can make money gambling • The dangerous cycle of loans, bookies, and chasing losses • How sports betting becomes a daily routine and mental obsession • The impact of gambling legalization and nonstop advertising • Why live betting makes losses spiral even faster • What recovery actually looks like, including counseling, self-exclusion, and rebuilding your life Chaz speaks openly about hitting a breaking point, losing nearly half a million dollars on FanDuel, and the long process of rebuilding after gambling addiction. Stories like this show how quickly gambling can escalate and how difficult it can be to walk away once it gets going

Paul shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ About Paul: He had a gambling addiction for 11 years and has been just over 3 years gamble free. Paul now advocates for awareness within Nuerodivergence, Gambling and Young People and highlighting the need that starting the conversation may not mean that person needs professional help. He also went on a weight loss journey at the same time, and lost 55kg naturally in 2 years, feel free to follow him on social media using the following links. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashi5293?igsh=MXV0anV6ODNtY3FtcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Ncn48xtqy/?mibextid=wwXIfr This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Janelle shares her gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com About Janelle: I started gambling at the age of 10 years old and by the time I was in high school I was a full blow gambling addict. By the time I was in my early 20’s I was living in Las Vegas addicted to stimulants and gambling every dollar I had while working as a chef on the Las Vegas strip. As life went on the drugs and the alcohol faded but the addiction to gambling never went away. Today I sleep much better having gotten therapy and developing coping skills to help ease the day to day urges! Janelle’s story is one of the clearest examples of how early gambling exposure can turn into a lifelong battle. She placed her first bets at 10 years old, and by middle school she was gambling every day after school. By high school, she describes being fully addicted—chasing the rush, needing to stay in the game, and finding ways to get money just to keep playing. In this episode, we talk about how gambling became an escape from depression, how wins warped her relationship with money, and how the addiction slowly turned “borrowing” into stealing. She opens up about taking money from her mom’s safe as a teenager, the mental gymnastics that convinced her she’d win it back, and how lying and manipulation can feel invisible when you’re trapped in the cycle. We also get into why certain environments make gambling feel unavoidable: growing up near Atlantic City, living in Las Vegas where machines are everywhere, and later moving home and discovering Pennsylvania skill machines—where you can gamble for hours in everyday locations like bars, gas stations, and convenience spots with almost no social friction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Justin E shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatement center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Justin E has 17 years clean from drugs and alcohol, and over 4 years clean from gambling. In this episode, he breaks down something most people never get warned about: cross-addiction, and how the same disease can quietly change costumes. He explains how gambling didn’t start as desperation for him. It started as something innocent, a pastime, a familiar environment he told himself he could control. Then it escalated. Poker turned into higher-action games. Casinos turned into routine. And the first real red flag wasn’t a massive financial loss… it was a lie. That’s the moment Justin knew the pattern was back. Not because he was evil or broken, but because addiction always drifts toward secrecy, isolation, and rationalization. He talks about the mental battle on the drive to the casino, why the atmosphere pulls you in, and how online poker (especially on your phone) can accelerate the spiral in a way people underestimate. We also dig into why GA stories can feel darker than other rooms, why meeting attendance is a non-negotiable for so many people, and the idea that recovery has no true plateau: you’re either progressing or drifting back toward old behaviors. Justin makes a powerful case for honesty, daily self-audit, and building structured recovery into your routine so that gambling doesn’t become the substitute that sneaks in after you “beat” something else.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1