I Was Addicted to Gambling for Decades | Here's How I Quit

Hugo Vrsalovic shares his journey of recovery from addiction, highlighting his experiences with alcohol, drugs, and gambling over nearly three decades. With 29 years of sobriety from drugs and alcohol and 26 years abstinent from gambling, Hugo emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories in recovery to inspire others. He recounts his last day gambling in April 2000, detailing the emotional turmoil and the pivotal moment that led him to seek help while on a trip to Portugal.

Hugo reflects on his early experiences with alcohol and gambling, starting at a young age and escalating through college. He describes the isolation and depression that fueled his addiction, revealing how he coped by numbing himself with substances and gambling. His turning point came after a series of personal crises, including a drunken night after a basketball game that prompted him to attend his first recovery meeting.

In discussing the current gambling landscape, Hugo expresses concern over the accessibility and addictive nature of online gambling, particularly for younger generations. He warns that the industry's tactics have evolved, making it easier for individuals to fall into addiction. Hugo encourages those struggling to recognize the reality of gambling losses and to seek support, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to recovery that includes community and self-affirmation.

Louis Ruggiero welcomes Hugo Vrsalovic to Nothing's Off the Table for a powerful conversation about gambling addiction recovery, alcoholism, and the reality of living with compulsive gambling.

With 29 years sober from drugs and alcohol and 26 years free from gambling, Hugo shares his remarkable addiction recovery journey, revealing how his struggles began with his first drink at age 8 and his first sports bet at 12.

Whether you're struggling with gambling addiction, supporting someone in recovery, or searching for how to stop gambling, this episode offers an honest look at the challenges of addiction and the possibility of lasting recovery.

🔔 Real stories. Raw comebacks. Nothing's off the table.

Unfiltered conversations with people who've faced addiction, loss, and rock bottom — and came back stronger.

— This episode is sponsored by Algamus Recovery Center.

If gambling is running your life — the lying, the chasing, the debt — you don't have to figure it out alone. Algamus is one of the only residential treatment centers in the country built specifically for gambling addiction. Certified gambling counselors, many in recovery themselves, treating this disease for 30+ years. Most commercial insurance accepted.

Start here:(https://www.algamus.org/?utm_source=nott_podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nott_podcast_collab_louis_ruggiero&utm_content=collab_post)

You're not a degenerate. You're sick, and there's treatment. — 🎙️ Hosted by Louis Ruggiero 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nothingsoffpod 📹 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingsoffpod 🔗 Everything else: https://link.me/nothingsoffthetable 🧢 NOTT Merch: https://nothings-off-the-table-with-louis-ruggiero.myshopify.com

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— About the ShowHosted by Louis Ruggiero — restaurateur, entrepreneur, and recovery advocate — Nothing's Off The Table is where real people tell the truth about addiction, comebacks, and finding purpose again. Louis knows the story firsthand: after years of gambling and substance addiction, he turned his life around and now amplifies the voices of survivors, from celebrities to everyday people.

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Disclaimer: Stories shared on Nothing's Off The Table are personal experiences, not professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal matters.

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