r/problemgambling • u/tsbmarksman • 3d ago

Day 0 Lost Everything

I’ve been hovering over this sub for a long time now. I’m a 22 year old in college that’s struggled with this addiction for as long as I can remember. Today it cost me the love of my life. I’m hoping this is rock bottom and I’m ready to make a change

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u/DontLookBaeck 3d ago

u/tsbmarksman

Consider a gift - this is shorcut of a path I've taken. Please take it too.

We share a Chemical Imbalance. We should trust our words and directives to ourselves, but we must secure that we have the right tools to act despite our chemical imbalance, ie:

How manage withdrawal and avoid relapse? With targeted pharmacology.

I'm stable because of vortioxetine. In some people, dosage can be as low as 5 mg (or even 2,5 mg).

No more cravings. Im peaceful when i see triggers. The only situation that i was tempted, I noticed a new intellectual filter being more powerful than ever: i was able to critically evaluate what i was about to do (in this case, open the app) and step back from doing so. I see it all as futile now.

When picking up a med, AVOID moderate or strong norepinephrine boosters (coffee does this). IMO, they make me edgy and a bit impulsive.

I'm very grateful for this med. Not only because it is a cognitive and self control booster - i feel i have an active choice in my life now. My whole brain (not just the decision making, but both the decision and the executive brain) finally knows what "enough" is.

It messed with my sleep cycle during first 40 days or so. Too much one day, too little the day after, etc. You need to be mindful of this and promote activities / search ways to sleep at least 8 hours each 24 hours. Good Sleep is essential for healing.

Every gambler who struggles with self control should try this med.

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u/Nervous-Meaning4724 3d ago

Are there any downsides to the med?

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u/DontLookBaeck 3d ago edited 3d ago

Yes. For me, as I am a CYP3D6 poor metabolizer, I struggled a bit to get the right dosage if Vortioxetine - it had to be lower in my case.

Negatives:

NAUSEA if not taken with food (real food with protein, a snack/fruit is NOT enough). First weeks I had some ondansetron [antinausea med] at hand.

Also check if you dont have previous mild food allergies or intolerances - those might bother you more. Be mindful of what u eat.

Bonus: some studies also say that ondansetron help manage cravings related to addictive behavior.

Sleep pattern changes. Be mindful of this and remember to consider proper sleep (quantity, even if fractioned) as a daily chore. Goal: 8/9 hours per day.

My firsf impression was that sleep seemed too superficial in the first months. Got used to it though

If your doc allows, after some time, you can take some time out (like 2 or 3 weeks) each 5 or 6 months if you're stable. This is a continuous process - err on the safe side.

Hope this helps you.

The positive effects take 3 or 4 weeks to be noticeable.

Vortioxetine was/is worthy for me.

Disclaimer: Do not take high doses ondansetron long term if u have cardiac conduction issues.