I never thought I’d end up here. Six years ago, I overcame a drug addiction, thinking I had finally left my demons behind. But now, I’m facing something that feels just as destructive, gambling addiction.

It all started in November. At first, it seemed harmless. I was winning $1K to $3K a week, hitting parlays every other weekend. The rush was unbelievable. Then things took a turn. One time, my bookie refused to cash me out. Instead of walking away, I played it all back, $1K gone. That moment changed everything.

Since December, I haven’t won a single time. I deposit anywhere between $500 to $1,500 a week, chasing that early success. Sometimes, I’d get lucky, go up $1,300, only to lose it in 10 minutes playing digital blackjack. It’s like I can’t stop, no matter how bad things get.

Now, I’m sitting in debt. I make $3,300 to $4,000 every two weeks, yet I can barely keep up. I took out a payday loan with 400% interest, plus a few more loans just to stay afloat. My credit is shot, so I can’t even get a bigger loan to consolidate everything.

The worst part is that I’m not just ruining my life. I have an 8-month-old child who depends on me. Bills are piling up, and I feel completely lost. This morning, I broke down in tears, sick with regret over what I’ve done. I fought so hard to beat one addiction, only to fall into another.

I wish I knew how to fix this, how to find a $3K–$5K loan just to clear these payday debts and breathe again. But more than anything, I just want to be free from this cycle. If you’re struggling with gambling, take this as a warning. It’s a trap, and it only gets worse.