I Gambled To Feel Numb | Alex’s Story

In this video, I interview Alex about her gambling addiction story. She found herself hooked to slot machines in the casinos and then later on getting hooked to online slots. She shares the ups and downs of a gambling addiction and the beauty of the recovery journey. She shares how gambling ruined her life and the fact that it took away joy from day to day activities. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/re... 🤝HOW TO QUIT GAMBLING - The Complete Guide:    • HOW TO STOP GAMBLING: A Complete Guide   ✅ Sign Up For A Guide Of Free Resources: https://odaatgamblingawarenesscom/resources 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did:    / @odaatgamblingawareness   About My Channel: Welcome to ODAAT Gambling Awareness! 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. Join us as we break the stigma, share insights, and work toward a healthier, addiction-free future—one day at a time. Subscribe and be part of the change! Common Facts About Gambling Addiction: Approximately 2-3% of Americans meet the criteria for a gambling disorder, which equates to around 6 million people. Around 96% of gamblers lose money in the long run, reinforcing the industry's design to ensure the house always wins. Studies show that people with a gambling addiction impact 7-10 others around them on average, showing that a gambling addiction can impact more people than simply the gambler themself. Over 50% of people with gambling addiction also struggle with substance abuse or another mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Gambling Addiction costs the U.S. economy an estimated $7 billion annually, including losses from job productivity, criminal justice expenses, and healthcare costs. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - 0:43 Meet Alex: Retired Teacher in Gambling Addiction Recovery 0:43 - 1:23 First Exposure: Horse Racing as a Child 1:23 - 2:50 Gambling in the 90s: Atlantic City Slots 2:50 - 3:46 Gambling Seemed Harmless at First 3:46 - 4:45 Grief, Caregiving, and Stress Piled On 4:45 - 5:20 Slot YouTube Channels Became an Escape 5:20 - 5:52 First Trip Back to the Casino in 2016 5:52 - 6:37 From Escape to Obsession 6:37 - 7:30 The Physical Effects of Gambling 7:30 - 8:38 Chasing the Feeling, Not the Money 8:38 - 9:52 A Jackpot Reinforces the Illusion 9:52 - 10:59 Logic Disappeared Inside the Casino 10:59 - 11:50 Online Gambling During the Pandemic 11:50 - 13:00 Banning and Unbanning Herself 13:00 - 14:28 Fears About Retirement and Gambling 14:28 - 16:04 Finding My TikTok and Relating to the Message 16:04 - 17:11 One Last Big Session That Made Her Sick 17:11 - 18:44 Self-Exclusion and Physical Withdrawals 18:44 - 20:02 Taking It One Day at a Time 20:02 - 21:11 Wins Became Annoying Interruptions 21:11 - 22:33 Missing Out on Life with Her Daughter 22:33 - 24:01 Rediscovering Joy in Recovery 24:01 - 25:02 Enjoying Life More Than Ever 25:02 - 27:01 Avoiding Disassociation and Slowing Down 27:01 - 28:17 Real-Life Activities Over Artificial Stimulation 28:17 - 29:30 What Recovery Feels Like After 538 Days