How I Overcame My Gambling Addiction

National Gambling Hotline: [phone]) talk & text.
Online Peer support forum: www.gamtalk.org
Help is available for the USA and Canada 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
For the majority of my 20's, I spent all my time travelling and playing poker. Eventually this turned into a full-time career, however it quickly became apparent that I had developed a gambling problem. I found myself with a compulsion to bet on every single thing I did. This is the story of how I overcame that addiction and regained control of my life.
Thanks for watching!
Derek
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#gambling #addiction #help

[@DerekBearzi]

National Gambling Helpline: (1-800-522-4700) 📞

[@chadiyoob155]

My biggest problem is I always chase my losses each and every time I gamble. If I lose $500 I’m automatically thinking this next $100 I deposit will win it all back. I’ve lost thousands and it’s truly disgusting. I haven’t gambled in two months and don’t ever plan on doing it again

[@DerekBearzi]

Keep that 2 month streak alive brotha! Glad to hear stories like yours.

[@musicalredemption3771]

Feel that brotha, there's no safety net in life I've learned that the hard way

[@aqn1976]

YUPPERS THE CHASE IS THE WORST AS THIS IS WHERE & WHEN YOU DIG THE HOLE DEEPER & FASTER IN NO TIME!!!

[@joannajohnson2669]

How did you stay away and stop urge?

[@luckynumb1]

@@joannajohnson2669 Find old/new hobbies and keep it off your mind by staying busy

[@hbrotha1866]

I just lost 20K in the last five days, I went in with every cent I got. I have zero dollars in my bank account. This wasn’t the first time this happened. I have been stressed and depressed, knowing Ive made the same mistakes as before. Gambling is a disease

[@DerekBearzi]

Damnn bro that's tough. Hopefully you can turn things around my dude. Get that bank account balance back up and say goodbye to gambling forever.

[@vockski3173]

Your story about poker losing its appeal and you looking forward to finishing sessions is 100% relatable. There's something about this addiction which drains you. You seek the last pull of that lever, or the last hand because you need to have a conclusion to your casino trip. The odds will always be the same, you just have to ride the rollercoaster to zero. This addiction is a true demon.

[@DerekBearzi]

Yea bro its like you never get enough. And always think just 1 more hand to finish up the session. What a terrible way to live.

[@JonJosephKuhn]

Brother vulnerability is a grossly underrated asset. I love this, I love you, and I feel your pain. I'm glad you got to keep your money on Black Friday. I was not so lucky. This is an absolutely brilliant and helpful video.

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks my brotha. The Black Friday thing was pretty rough. I felt so bad for all my American friends who had their money locked up. But at the same time I was counting my stars that I was able to cash out. It really put things into perspective for me to always appreciate what we got.

[@ChefBurns1]

Just lost over 20k in the last few months. I feel beyond sick and the depression is beyond anything I've felt before

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn bro I feel you, I wish I had the words to heal your pain. Keep your head up!

[@skinnybear3441]

The day you quit, is the day you’ll start winning.

[@linal3489]

@ChefMontie How are you feeling now? Did you quit gambling?

[@ChefBurns1]

@@linal3489 ya for now. I get paid in a couple days. And that’s a few thousand bank roll. So I’m just making another account and putting my checks in there. Then throwing away the card so I can’t touch the money. It’s not fun when you can’t trust yourself with your own money. And I work hard as hell for it. I need to stop giving it away to these casinos

[@chasemarquez7620]

@@ChefBurns1 I feel you bro I'm down 15k the last 5-6 months and that's a lot for me considering I make shit. I keep going trying to win it back but it's just impossible and the feeling of guilt is the worst thing in the world.

[@davidmalpass7129]

The way I overcame my Gambling Addiction was to find another Addiction, but one that was better for myself in the long run. I am aware that I have an addictive personality, daft as it seems but now I am addicted to nature and enjoying it, and that is the truth..............All the best anyone who felt the need to watch this video, its a step in the right direction.

[@DerekBearzi]

I resonate with this 100%. I have an insanely addictive personality. I found my new addiction of video editing preoccupies my time that I don't think about gambling that much anymore

[@abelservin6714]

It’s definitely a difficult topic for a lot of people and usually people who aren’t suffering or have suffered from gambling wouldn’t understand and automatically judge. Great video! God bless you man you’re saving lives by letting others know that there is hope to overcome this addiction and be able to control themselves.

[@DerekBearzi]

Thank you for the great comment and feedback Abel! I really appreciate it.

[@Bob53019]

I gambled away every cent I’ve made it the last 7 months playing blackjack. It was always chasing my losses with the next paycheck. I made sure the bills were paid but then it was straight to blackjack. I called it quits and it’s nice to look at my bank account and have money in there. Chasing money via gambling is a dark dark path

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn bro good thing you covered your bills! Glad to hear you called it quits my brotha,, the gambling path is a dark path indeed.

[@bensonhsu9631]

Thank you for the videos you post. Your stories are interesting/entertaining, your experiences are relatable, your advice is very practical and your videos are very well done. As a current gambling addict trying to recover, I'll refer to your videos frequently for how to overcome the addiction. Although the journey to recovery (financial, mental, physical) can sometimes seem so far away, your videos remind me that life does get better day by day. You appear to be a really good guy, am happy that you've found the success and happiness that you have. All the best to you and your family

[@DerekBearzi]

Hey Benson, thank you for the comment. I've found a way to live with my gambling addiction and stop betting. However, I still get these urges from time to time. I'm glad that my past struggles can help people who are going through the same things I did. Life is so much better without the casino. Hope you're doing well bro

[@mmajourney6689]

ugh bro I feel you, thanks for sharing your story, I struggled with gambling addiction too and it was horrible.

[@DerekBearzi]

I hear you my brotha, gambling addiction is an ugly thing. But there is hope for all of us on the other side if we can overcome it.

[@raymondsimmons1617]

I had an addiction to state lottery instant scratch off tickets. My addiction lasted 4 or 5 years and I lost a lot of money I should have saved. I eventually came to my senses and decided to save my money each month instead of hanging onto some sort of lie that I could win big. The odds on the tickets are terrible. Saving, time, and compounding are your friends, not the lottery. I watch videos on KZbin about gambling addiction and that helps remind me that the gambling road is not the road for me. I walk into convenience stores all the time now with plenty of cash and never succumbing to buying scratch tickets. Its been roughly 3 years since I last scratched a ticket. Thanks for the video.

[@abovethemiddle8408]

Important video, man. I’ve suffered with OCD in the path so can relate to the compulsiveness. Im sure this with help many

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks dude. I have fairly strong ocd tendencies with certain things. So I can totally relate.

[@AAlpha77]

I'm a student and I'm addicted to poker. Started off at low stakes and just kept making bad decision in the game. Used my personal savings which I collected over 12 years and emptied it . And quit it for a while and now years later started playing it again thinking I'll b better. Ended up losing 1000$ in a week. I study the game and I win but when I win I try to win more and loose a big pot and start tilting. But as of 12 hours I've officially quit it. Stay strong

[@DerekBearzi]

Respect for the honesty bro. Poker is tough, I still wish I could play. Tilt and bad beats were brutal as well.

[@Chocobohunter]

Im a gambler but always at the casino, never online or sports betting. If im gonna lose, it will be with real chips. During covid when the casinos were closed was actually the first time i was able to save money in my life, year 2020 i saved like 20k and moved to a bigger place for my family and was able to get a nicer car, when everything was open i slowly lost all my savings again, im usually good and pay all the bills first. Im about to get a large sum of money from my parents to help me get a house, and i already 100% know that i will lose that money slowly by gambling it away. So i think i will just self ban myself from all the casino for a year for now. First step to quitting is knowing you have a problem.

[@DerekBearzi]

Glad to hear you're able to be honest with yourself bro. A lot of people struggle to even recognize they have a problem. Its awesome that you're buying a house, hopefully you can find a way to stay out of the casinos this time. Wishing you the best!

[@AfroPick82]

The truly scary part is one can literally go yrs without even realizing they have a gambling addiction/problem. Along the way viewing as a job/hustle or way to financially position oneself into something else/better. Until one hits rock bottom & the saddest most overlooked extreme rock bottom point is suicide.

[@DerekBearzi]

For years I never even knew I had a gambling addiction. It is a very dark path to go down indeed. Luckily I got out before reaching that rock bottom point.

[@mickyeverton]

Many Thanks for your honesty!! Peace From London. 🙏🙏🙏

[@DerekBearzi]

Respect! Thanks Micky!

[@ScottBailie]

Thanks for sharing your story, man!

[@DerekBearzi]

MIDNIGHT OIL?

[@ClickUp]

This video needs millions of views. Thank you, brother!

[@DerekBearzi]

That's very kind, thank you my dude. I'm happy if my words can help anyone in the gambling trap.

[@JC-jb9ug]

This helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@chazevans7816]

I really appreciate this video! Thank you man

[@DerekBearzi]

Glad you liked it Chaz, I appreciate it my dude

[@bartkonings5348]

Im happy to cane across your video. Really realistic perspectives, in many ways be share the same.

[@DerekBearzi]

Thank you Bart! I'm glad the video resonated with you.

[@sunnyfernandes8905]

Thank you soo much for this video, it I very helpful and full of guidance. I needed to hear this badly. Thank you and God bless you; glad to here you are successful and at a better place now 😇🙏

[@DerekBearzi]

No prob Sunny. Glad to hear that the video was helpful!

[@jonstermberg272]

No way did I get a casino ad when trying to watch this 💀

[@JuanDiaz-xc3bx]

Bro love this video!! Trust me u save a lot of lives

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks brotha! I appreciate the kind words my dude 🙏

[@kidsenior]

Greetings. I am at rock bottom right now. Your video was refreshing and I'm glad you recognized your problems. I've lost my marriage, money , and friends to gambling. I've even went as low as not seeing my daughter to gamble. Thank you for the information. I hope you continue to touch peoples lives.

[@fromny9422]

hope you get the help you need.

[@DerekBearzi]

Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner my brother. Sorry to hear about the losses in your life, but I really appreciate your honesty. Keep fighting on my dude, hopefully in time you can rebound and repair those relationships.

[@zeekflash6924]

Drinking and gambling don’t mix .. one is bad enough , combine it , is disastrous. After 20 yrs of , compounding mistakes .. I have waived the white flag and , just not put myself in situations that will make me gamble .. it’s a day by day thing , good luck

[@broncorik2268]

This is as a fantastic video . Just what I needed to hear right now .

[@DerekBearzi]

Happy it helped! Hope all is well

[@Tristanboskie]

I appreciate you sharing this brother!!!

[@DerekBearzi]

Glad to help brotha!

[@5CRALREADY]

​@@DerekBearziIf you had only focussed on Poker from 17 years of age ....you would have won around Million to date ...

[@100saltanhayee]

Lost 105 thousand in 1 year! Then 150 in the next year! Then 193 in just 6 month! All savings are gone and when thinking about what I have done nothing comes to my mind other than gambling is an advance illness that cause further illnesses! It’s an absolute stupidity to work hard and save and then in a such short of the time giving it away ! It was not fun anymore but entering a war with machine that are designed to kill you spiritually and financially! Absolutely stupid!

[@DerekBearzi]

Wow that's a wild amount of money bro. Hopefully it has helped give you perspective on gambling, and motivated you to move on.

[@DannyGoes_]

Man how relatable. I’ve been playing poker professionally for five years now. Sept ‘21 i made $52k in four days over a few tourneys. I then got bored and rinsed my whole bankroll on slots in about a weeks time. I was then forced to get a shitty day job and have found myself spending my whole check on paydays. A year and a half later, I’m finally cognizant of my bad habits and taking actions to return back to my full time poker career. Thanks immensely for this video!

[@sheikhando4815]

I’ll invest in you

[@DerekBearzi]

Awesome story dude. Poker is an amazing game, I wish I still had the passion for it as I once did. Glad to hear that you've pinpointed your bad habits. Just curious, do you only play tourneys? Or some cash too?

[@DerekBearzi]

Haha 😄

[@mohsenkheirabadi8211]

very good video, you talk very nice and gentle, explain very clear. Thanks

[@DerekBearzi]

No prob Mohsen! I'm glad the video was helpful

[@roberts4426]

Thank you for sharing. Great video but I wish I had seen your video earlier. 🙏

[@DerekBearzi]

Stay strong my brotha!

[@saludsinfiltros6854]

Thanks for your video, i'm struggling with this over years, thanks from Perú.

[@DerekBearzi]

Keep working on it my brother. Respect to Peru!

[@21nodnod]

A lifetime loss of 180k here due to this stupid addiction. It ruined my life.

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn that's an insane amount of money to go through. How you holding up my brotha?

[@21nodnod]

@@DerekBearzi in the midst of quitting gambling for good! Screw gambling!!!!!!

[@davidrynberk1533]

Derek thank you ..what you said is so relatable to a gambler..what starts out as being fun becomes dangerous.Poker and blackjack you need dedication I seen people in my life who just spent so much time playing , I thought it would take all my time so I took a different route.Denial of the problem only makes it worse..to anyone I would say are you still in control when winning or losing? For the 99% of gamblers when you win ,you want to win more, when you lose, you want to recoup your losses.

[@DerekBearzi]

No prob brotha, glad the vid helped. I had many days where I was chasing my losses. All it did was make things worse as I lost even more money. Gambling is such a vicious cycle. We need to help our brothers in need.

[@davidrynberk1533]

@@DerekBearzi You are a diamond in the rough..much respect for you

[@sKRAZED206]

Thank you for making this video

[@DerekBearzi]

I hope it helped bro!

[@mexrevilia780]

I've chase loses and end up losing more, then i decide to let go all the loses and stop hurting my self for the false hope.

[@DerekBearzi]

yea I used to chase loses as well, it's a brutal cycle

[@JustKen57]

Thank you for sharing your story

[@DerekBearzi]

Yo Ken! Thank you my brotha

[@JustKen57]

@@DerekBearzi Appreciate you Derek . Stay Awesome brother

[@depstar456]

Very well said brother bless you your a good man

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏

[@parkerbohnn]

I was taught to make smart bets like "Best Of Trip" by Best Of All and Missile Trip by Greentree Adios. Ron Waples senior made me all my money before he left Greenwood and Mohawk for the Meadowlands. I got up enough money thanks to Ron that I could gamble for the rest of my life.

[@animaro326]

I had a very bad gambling addiction and i am only 16 years old about to turn 17. Because of some video games i started gambling to get money and spend in those games, found a way to deposit money on online casinos and when i lost a good amount it wasnt even for the feeling anymore but just to get the one win and stop. Rn its been like 2 years and i have been trying to stop, but for the past 2 weeks i do not even feel an urge to gamble because i learned its always gonna be a loss. It doesnt bring me any dopamine/fun. I am so happy and thankful because when i was gambling a lot of nights i spent crying and being mad at myself

[@DerekBearzi]

I can totally relate to the nights full of tears and anger, it's a dark place to be in. Glad to hear that you're making progress and that you've overcome the urges. Well done.

[@animaro326]

@@DerekBearzi thank you for replying, i also noticed that my patience is so low and i can never sit and do something like studying, working etc., but i am trying my best to just forget about the losses and carry on with my normal life and dreams.

[@DerekBearzi]

@@animaro326 keep grinding brotha. I used to have zero attention span when I was your age. Mainly because school forced me to learn things I didn't care about. Once you find things you're passionate about it will get better.

[@KerryLeighBrett]

Please dont do it, I worked at an online sportsbook and its not a good environment, they dont care about you dont waste your money.

[@augustodeoliveirabraga4021]

words of wisdom, as usual. i wish u all the best, bro!!

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks as always Augusto!

[@paulrichards6894]

@@DerekBearzi i am a pro punter but I suffer anxiety.....wouldn't call it depression though i would have been pretty close on times but that would have been caused by other things in conjunction with gambling.....i always advise people don't even start gambling....find other ways of trying to make money

[@paulrichards6894]

@@DerekBearzi on poker ive never played .....used to play 3 card brag in my younger days but i was hopeless....people knew when i had a good hand....wasn't very good

[@DerekBearzi]

@@paulrichards6894 for sure brotha. Gambling usually never amounts to anything good for most people. Luckily I've escaped it without any financial problems. But I still think its valuable to our stories, in hopes of helping someone in need.

[@paulrichards6894]

@@DerekBearzi for me its my living...really wish i could do something else ....i only back horses nothing else....though for fun i do have a bet on soccer but I do lose ......

[@steveng8727]

Thanks for sharing Derek! 3x WSOP bracelet winner Dutch Boyd stated 99% of all the players he knows are broke and keep borrowing more and more. The 1%'s Hellmuth, Negreanu, etc, have great sponsorships deals. Bottom line, keep your day jobs!

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks bro!

[@joannajohnson2669]

Your wonderful!Btw!❤ thank you so much for sharing . I was at casino today and lost 260.00 I am addicted to Gambling..Do u have any advice for when the 1st of the month comes around and I wanna just take cash and go play the slots?

[@mickyeverton]

Many Thanks, Peace From London. ✌️✌️✌️

[@DerekBearzi]

Whoops I didn't see this until now Micky! Hope all is well in London!

[@thepieman2742]

Excellent!

[@DerekBearzi]

thank you brotha

[@MrMeetthedas]

Thanks for your video , I am also addicted trying to stop myself but it's too hard

[@DerekBearzi]

I hear ya, everyone's journey and struggles with gambling addiction will be different. I think what worked for me was identifying the triggers to my addiction. For example, watching the basketball game with my friends or playing card games with my brother. These were the activities which always put me "in the mood" to gamble. I don't know if you can relate to this, but maybe identifying your triggers can help you eliminate the addiction at the root. All the best.

[@kidsenior]

Please just give it your all to stop. I'll pray that you can stop. I need to stop also. I'm with you in the trenches right now. Someone loves you. Go to them and ask for help. Get help. Don't be ashamed. I'm crying right now because Ive lost everything and would never wish this sickness upon anyone.

[@denizorsel1029]

Gambling tunes you into a frequency which fixates all possible chakras in your body. That is why it is very hard to remove it from the mind. You need to reharmonize with good guidance to feel free from it.

[@DerekBearzi]

That's deep bro

[@Ashcon2]

Gambling’s ruined me. My mood revolves around if I’m up or not. I’ve lost my life savings in 6 months, I had so many plans for my future. I’ve tried to get help but I just can’t stop. Only reason I haven’t killed myself is because it wouldn’t be fair to my parents or girlfriend. I’m miserable 24/7 now and I have no one to blame but me

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn brotha how old are you? Sounds like you still have time to turn your life around. I know the losses can be brutal on your mental health, but are there any other hobbies that bring you happiness? Hope you're doing okay my dude

[@Ashcon2]

@@DerekBearzi I’m 25, the ironic part is I’m a mental health specialist and I’m damn good at my job. I can help everyone besides my self. I’ve just come to terms with reality that nothing really makes me happy anymore besides gambling. Appreciate the the reply though

[@lukefish79]

Get out of it whilst you still can, I gambled since I was 18, 43 now and have made a decision to stop entirely. Other things in life become enjoyable again in a fairly short time. You’ve still got all of your life to go out there and earn much more than your losses so don’t go giving it all away to casinos. If you carry on you’ll only keep increasing the stakes to chase the losses and then you accumulate debts which are miserable things to pay back each month with nothing to show for them. I’ve used a gambling councilor in the UK, wherever you are get help from a gambling addiction specialist

[@Chocobohunter]

@@Ashcon2 same bro, my mood depends if i win or lose, when i win my family gets anything they want, thats one good thing about me when i win, i usually spend it before i lose unlike some people, but last week i was up almost 6k and it only took 2days for me to lose it, now i dont even want to talk to my wife and kid because i feel ashamed, they have no idea i won or lost. Tbh gambling doesnt even make me feel good, i just want to beat the casino lol, i do enjoy other stuff so ill just focus on those from now on, will also self ban myself for a year. Hopefully you find other hobbies you like. Eating delicious food, buying cars, travelling, working out, etc… you’ll find something i know! The world is beautiful, find that beauty!

[@Ashcon2]

@@Chocobohunter I envy you that you have the willpower to ban yourself for a year. Good luck in future 🙏🏼

[@Saimiqba7]

You are fucking amazing man, none of this was stupid

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks Muhammad! 🙌

[@samyi818]

It took 10yrs of playing poker for me to learn how to pickup your chips and leave the table. It's an addict like drinking coz you forget the other troubles in your life while playing..at least for me.

[@DerekBearzi]

I know that feeling all too well my dude. I remember I had those nights when I just couldn't leave the table. Then I realized I had been at the table for over 24 hours and felt disgusting. Glad to hear you figured it.

[@MorskiZmaj]

I have very similar story. I was profitabile semipro live cash player until I started playing casino's ultimate holdem poker. Now I dont have any patience for normal poker.

[@DerekBearzi]

Dope! I miss the live cash games, they were so much fun back in the day lol. The patience for me has fallen off as well.

[@SOSM209]

Very well Articulated/ Great share ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@DerekBearzi]

Thanks brotha!

[@tfptravel.food.peace.3788]

I really love your compassion. You're very handsome. Blessings to you!

[@DerekBearzi]

Really appreciate the kind words. Thank you!

[@rogermoore3991]

Struggled with gambling addiction since i was 18 til now 31 yr. Hit rock bottom once where i blew all my savings til my bank account said 0 dinero. Had to call my mum and move in with her since i had no money. Lowest point of my life and since then i have accumulated some wealth again but i still gamble and sometimes i loose alot more than i prefer. One should think that when i had my rock bottom i should have learnt by now!? Well i havent.

[@DerekBearzi]

Thats tough, stay strong my brother. Its always so tempting to place a few bets 😔

[@simonep1503]

Same here bro.

[@anfield0109]

This World Cup like the previous hurts my bank account. Even without World Cup sports betting has been too hard to resist. Over the years the accumulation losses are too obvious for myself to not ignore. But time and time again, relapsing is real after a short while of quitting. These are pain. Worst than drugs. My gambling story and my life can easily write a thick book. And it will all be sorrows instead of life achievements. Gambling kills. We all been saying that and we all know that. Getting out of it has been near impossible for myself all my freaking life. Be it casino, sports betting I’m on it all. It’s my favourite past time. It’s a go to whenever I’m down. It’s the magical pill to switch off from the world of pain I live in. I pray to God everyday. I do workout to divert the attention. End of the day, I’m still hooked. And I’m right at the bottom and I’ve been there in the rock bottom for many many years.

[@adjudantbird4959]

I feel u man. Stay strong

[@DerekBearzi]

I can totally relate to this. I wanted to wager some money on the World Cup games sooooo bad, but I can't afford to waste anymore money with how high inflation/cost of living has become. I hope you can find some answers and escape the trap of gambling my brother.

[@mose897141]

I am at elastic limit how do I get back my power.

[@AndreasFroehliPoker]

Always nice to hear others stories - I have a question: What do you think would happen if you constantly get better at poker, make more money and somehow can't stop playing because you feel the need to make more money? (so you can play bigger games with your bankroll - not for material stuff)

[@DerekBearzi]

Hey Andreas whats up dude. Sounds like a great question to do on a podcast! Haha. The moving up in stakes question is an interesting one. If we're talking about someone who keeps winning/improving at poker but also stays away from casino games, then he's probably on the right path to becoming a professional. The only issue would be controlling the dopamine rush while adhering to solid bankroll management? Definitely a tricky situation, as it's one I'm not familiar with. Sadly, I was a player who never really made any great strides in terms of my skill at the table.

[@jerwinytc341]

Gambling is addiction that ruined our single precious life, so everyone who think and thinking to try gambling don't ever think and try that cause it may cause you your life

[@kwakujnr1742]

Lost it all .. family and relationship

[@jerwinytc341]

@@kwakujnr1742 My man we all have hopes, just believe in yourself you can overcome any of that struggles, may God bless your life and I pray for your good life

[@DerekBearzi]

Keep your head up my dudes. Work towards better days instead of focusing on what we've lost.

[@jerwinytc341]

@@DerekBearzi yeah life is too short when spending thinking on negative thoughts

[@MountainsArePretty1234]

My addiction was so bad that one time when my credit cards were maxed out cash available wise and I didn't have any money, I really hit rock bottom. The addiction was so powerful that I walked around Best Buy looking for something to buy with a credit card just to turn around and immediately pawn it. I had purchasing credit available just no more cash available. So I bought a $630 laptop computer with a credit card and went to the pawn shop. Naturally they only gave me a ridiculous $250 cash to pawn it. About 1/3rd of its worth. Smh. However that was enough to go to the dogtrack with. Of course I blew every dollar of it. So I owed $630 extra on my cards and owed the pawn shop like $303 after taxes and their ludicrous amount of interest for their " help " that they gave me 🙄 Absolutely disgusting. I've been sober for 118 days though, thank God! 🙏🙏🙌🙌 Never give up people. Never give up!!!

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn brother buying a laptop on credit then pawning it at 1/3rd the price is so brutal. Its crazy how illogical we think when we're addicted. Glad to hear of your streak and new outlook on life. I love it dude, keep it going!

[@MountainsArePretty1234]

@@DerekBearzi Thanks man. Day 128 today and going strong. Yep, addiction is definitely brutal. It will make the smartest people on Earth, do the dumbest things imaginable!

[@MountainsArePretty1234]

@@DerekBearzi It's taken over my life again. The stress, anxiety, and financial destruction is back 😢😡🤬

[@aaronlim13]

Addictions is the same as you are in love of he/her. Just can't stop loving. So attractive , so seductive. Keep on thinking. So how to stop that unless she became ugly and dirty. But how gambling casinos can turned dirty and ugly that can scared you. So the only way is blocked yourself. Go work like hell ever and so busy making money until you forget and realized healthy is the most important thing then go do exercises.

[@DerekBearzi]

100% agree with blocking yourself from gambling

[@cosmicadventure9184]

Bye bye gambling addiction, I lost enough I don't have more to lose , I have to work better future for my self now, it is better to donate what so ever extra money you have then to gamble and lose more then you can .

[@DerekBearzi]

Well said! Getting rid of a gambling addiction feels amazing. All the best to your future self and journey 🙏

[@cosmicadventure9184]

@@DerekBearzi you too bro tnx 🙏

[@antoinetteevangelio8344]

agree!!!

[@sheikhando4815]

Was -5k With £0 balance available, took me 4 years to pay it off at £100 a month, it ruined my life for 8 years straight, I’m 26 now, and plan to live, I just booked a holiday,stay focused, and start caring about money rather than wasting it, all the best people 🎉

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn bro great to hear that you dug yourself out of that hole. Those 8 years must have been tough. But congrats for making it through!

[@sheikhando4815]

@@DerekBearzi thanks brother, yeah I was paying rent and bills, so left me with£250 spare a month, but with -5k was so damaging, missed out on all summer holidays, I just booked one for next month, first one in 8 years, finally.stay level headed everyone and blessed

[@DerekBearzi]

@@sheikhando4815 Congrats bro, and a well deserved vacation too. Stay focused and your life will keep getting better. Respect

[@sheikhando4815]

@@DerekBearzi yeah , never knows shirt cuts, gotta earn it, top video, spot on

[@shanebrincat2602]

you said it towards the end,blame the people BEHIND the government

[@syndromus1077]

I find many similarities to my life in your video. I haven't played professional poker but 2-3 times a week for over 6 years. My limits were 1/2 No-Limit Hold'em, 2/2 Omaha and tournaments up to 500€. I made an average of 18-20k per year with poker. Suddenly, I found interest in blackjack and that was the beginning of the end. Today, 8 years later, I've lost my wife (after 27 years of marriage), lost my job, and spent 3 years in prison. I've been free for a year now and it's a struggle not to play poker every day. I have no interest in any other games, but poker is just too tempting. However, I'm too scared to play poker again because it led me to all those other gambling games. The risk is just too big for me.

[@DerekBearzi]

Sorry to hear that about your marriage/job bro. Your story is so similar to mine, wow. I always hated when the poker room was jammed at the back of the casino. It forced me to walk past all the tempting table games, which was probably by design. Fcking casinos man...

[@syndromus1077]

at the end i COUD not leave the casino with money. i seat down with 200€ at the poker table and after a long session i made seat open with somting around 1400€. the way out of the casino was allways my downfall. had to cross all the black-jack tables and then after playing 10+ houre of poker and winning i lost all in abput 15-20 min. i was such an idiot!!!

[@silviodante93]

Wow, we are the same person, I just hit rock bottom. I was happy when the sites were shut down, I didn’t like the person I was becoming….then I became worse.

[@DerekBearzi]

That's wild. I feel like there's probably quite a few people like us out there. That moment when you start to notice a gambling addiction can be hard to deal with.

[@hulya7987]

😢

[@chrisperez8803]

SMH since December shit hasn’t gone my way prolly down 60k to date , down to my last can’t believe I’ve actually said that smh

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn thats tough. But being honest with your losses is the first step at taking back control. Stay strong bro

[@chrisperez8803]

Yea bro , even before December it wasn’t as rough I would lose a few hundred then I enabled myself to play big bets at 50$ to a 100$ a spin n that’s where it got me

[@psmalls6394]

sick video... you should host a meet up game

[@DerekBearzi]

Haha don't tempt me bro!

[@mukeshmakwana1321]

Thank u

[@DerekBearzi]

Glad it helped Mukesh!

[@dstillRO]

My thing is that I'm a very good poker player, I was professional for a few years but I always gamble my bankroll away after a bad session to get that money back and it is very sad cause I could never be a poker player with my gambling addiction and dont know hot to get rid of. For example deposited 1400$ 10 days ago played 10$NL cashgames and made 1100$ in 10 days and then today after a -20$ days lost 2500$ in 2 minutes at blackjack/roulette. And this been going for years and years, always take 6-7 even 1 year of break from any form of gambling even poker and then I fall back into the same trap. How can I get rid of this?

[@DerekBearzi]

Hey Alex, we wildly went through the same experience. I always wasted any profit I made from poker at the roulette. My problem was always having to walk past the table games in order to get to the poker room. So brutal

[@uup116]

Most of the good poker games revolve around these types of people.

[@Otisbear480]

I have lost 200k and I was so nieve that I didn't know I had to pay taxes on my time I won in video poker. Still battling to stay away from machines

[@DerekBearzi]

Damnn 200k? Keep away from those machines at all costs. Its a daily battle my brotha

[@__-of3bt]

I have net winnings around that amount and am probably so fucked with taxes. Shits going to ruin my financial life because I was barely even yet wagered massive amounts

[@ridwanismail5767]

I lost So much last 5months bro And decide to Stop totally . when iam busy playing i feel so much pain and anger in my stomach not good feeling at all, And the Rest of the month Feeling stress and nothing else is making you happy. Gambling is devil work like burning hell.

[@DerekBearzi]

I feel you my brotha. Good thing you put your foot down and decided to stop totally. It's such a tough decision to make but stay strong my dude

[@user-qc3wk5gt5s]

I've thrown away around 300 dollars on online poker until now. I just can't make good rational decisions, even though I know it in my head, just because of the dopamine rush and heart beating when you hit a good flop or pocket aces or something like that. I think that poker can be played like gambling, for people like me. I've learned now that poker isn't for me and want to quit it entirely. Thank you for the video, I hope I can forget about the losses and move on, quit poker entirely.

[@KerryLeighBrett]

I worked for an online sportsbook. I didnt like it, if it was hurting someone it goes against my values.

[@DerekBearzi]

Oh wow never thought of gambling from that point of view. That must have been a tough situation :{

[@antonieridley4725]

I just lost my full wage and have done so many times lost all savings and now it was time to ban yaself from online and bookmakers there are brutal and do not care how much u lose worst av felt for years epically when you have a family feed right next Christmas it's an addiction and now i have paid for it gud luck hope everyone fines a way to stop gambling or control it its devil.

[@DerekBearzi]

Banning yourself is a start! Stay strong my brotha, hopefully stories like yours can help more people in need.

[@user-gm2yx7mb2b]

as along as u r winning than if is fine

[@mppspiker225]

hope I can overcome my online gambling addiction

[@DerekBearzi]

Be strong my dude, seek help if you need it. Online gambling addiction is a brutal beast to overcome.

[@savenification237]

my breaking point was this past friday . i lost $5k playing blackjack . the day prior i won $300 fast and i left on friday i did the same , Got $300 and left but since it happened so fast , i did the cardinal sin and said , “one more game “ it all went south from there . i lost my entire bank roll and some . The hopes of making consistent money is what kept me going back . Is it possible to make consistent money ? yes it is but you will need a big bankroll with small bets . But at times dealers can streak and if you martingale, you can end up losing it all

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn brotha I know exactly what you mean when you said "one more game." The allure of just placing one more bet always got to me as well.

[@nawrasalzahar1192]

Gambling addiction is perhaps the most destructive addiction one can have to be honest. If you gambling you will not only lose your money long term, but you risk losing more important things too like family, friends, your career and last but not least ; yourself. That dark place where you think you were before, has not sudden become a beautiful place and you’d wish you go back in time instead. It’s horrible, and people need to realize that casinos are not built from winners, all those millions they invest in their security systems, the equipment they use, the staff, etc are not paid by letting people walk in and take their money. It’s obvious it’s built on people losing their money.

[@DerekBearzi]

Yeah casinos are brutal. Even when blackjack card counters beat the game, the casinos can just ban them for life. Its a rigged system meant to suck people finances dry. Its really disheartening 😔

[@michaelanketell893]

man that was a great video, nope just joking! ya lets just play and control it.....perfect solution. ty

[@DerekBearzi]

Stay strong brotha!

[@TonyContiniProductions]

I'm the wallow in self pity type haha

[@DerekBearzi]

Oh damn haha 😅

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

I only go to my local casino because they have their annual Comic Con there. Otherwise, I don't spend a single cent on slots, cards, dice, or anything gambling related, and never have.

[@DerekBearzi]

Smart move! Comic Con at a casino does sound fun tho 😝

[@lightgambler934]

you lose some you win some just control it

[@DerekBearzi]

Trying my best, my dude

[@hbrotha1866]

Hard to control, especially once you start betting 5000 a hand. The wins get to you’re head. Fuck gambling

[@blackpillaudrius3015]

I overcame dude it's been over 1 year since I made a bet , my neighbours doesn't even give me a credit!

[@DerekBearzi]

Nice one! Keep that streak alive!

[@Chocobohunter]

Should of been two year now? Hows your savings now? Gj bro

[@a.garcia8086]

But what if you have such a bad problem that you should never gamble again

[@DerekBearzi]

Quitting altogether is definitely the smarter thing to do. My parents and brother are all poker players, so I had to find a compromise in the middle. This way I can still play a $5 game with them during the holidays without going overboard. Its been tough

[@andrewcoursaris6022]

The more money u lose the worst it is that's just a fact

[@DerekBearzi]

Yea bro

[@kwakujnr1742]

I want to quit badly 😭😭

[@DerekBearzi]

Keep working at it brother!

[@antoinetteevangelio8344]

bye casino!!!!!! NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

[@DerekBearzi]

Great new years resolution for 2023!

[@blaqexcellence3300]

Same here …roulette isn’t following me to 2023

[@DerekBearzi]

@@blaqexcellence3300 awesome goals for 2023 👍🏼

[@dogloverjb6873]

there are 60 million poker players in the U.S. and 100 million worldwide and only 10% can make a profit at it. Those are horrific odds.. ... easy solution...dont' start in the first place. Why knowingly throw away your hard-earned money. Look at the odds at success.... very, very poor. IF you want to spend money, put your money in real estate / stocks. Better yet, ...put your energy into getting healthy and fit and bettering yourself in all faucets of your life instead....

[@roybrown4711]

You are wrong man... only 2% gamblers winning...98% loosing..

[@barnesbuilt1250]

“My ultimate undoing came at the hands of the US government” Gamblers aside…theres been a few people to say that over the ages 😂

[@roseadams8003]

Too many reasons to name. It destroys people

[@DerekBearzi]

100% agreed. Hopefully we can reach those who are in need.

[@reinierlisa451]

Come on dude be real as if poker is not gambling.... You still there ...i see in your eyes dude... .

[@ankank2990]

I won 90k on slots and lost it in 2 days….. Online. Im so sad over that money… could have done so much with it. Lost close to 80k of my own money this year… how stupid can i be

[@DerekBearzi]

Dang, sorry to hear that. Hopefully you've cut your losses and moved on to better things!

[@ankank2990]

@@DerekBearzi i banned myself for 3 months but will probably go back sometime when im more financially secure to do so

[@DerekBearzi]

@@ankank2990 3 month ban is a good start! Glad to hear you have self control. If you do go back, would playing for a lot smaller stakes be an option?

[@ankank2990]

@@DerekBearzi absolutely I will take any winnings from now on. I believe that I had to learn this hard lesson. This was something I needed to learn to understand that I could have invested that 90k into a home or property. Big eye opener. At first was very depressed about it but now i see it as a blessing

[@KerryLeighBrett]

please dont do it I worked in an online sportsbook. they dont care

[@jeffreycardoza8983]

Lost like 20k I feel pretty dead

[@DerekBearzi]

Damn brotha keep ur head up my dude

[@vicz9589]

Omg I feel 😢 for u so much as I'm going thru it right now and watching this 😩

[@kimberlywood7783]

So... winning poker players.... skillful or lucky?

[@DerekBearzi]

Short term there is tons of luck. But long term, over years and years its definitely a skill game.

[@freddy-ip1pq]

sincerely you think you are in control at the beginning, when you are winning, everything is great... but when the bad streak comes, it completely ruins you... forget about compulsive gambling high stakes, it's the worst

[@DerekBearzi]

couldn't agree more my dude. Those bad streaks are crippling, I remember those days...

[@RhysDaRyda]

Literally just dont drive to a casino. lmao

[@DerekBearzi]

can't argue that lol

[@PapaTooHigh]

jokes on them when they win 110k and you laughing at everyone calling you an addict

[@lukamilas8648]

Gambling addiction only affects stupid people. All games are gambling, including poker. The gambling aspect of it is huge, it takes skill but you still have to gamble to win. You can be a big favorite and still lose all your money. Casino games are rigged in the houses favor. They will take all your money if you keep playing their games. I always understood this simple fact.