To answer your questions:
I filed bankruptcy to control the debt…I had a solid income after I had filed, however I kept gambling. I was not able to tuck anything away because I kept playing. Ultimately I got married, and kept gambling. Almost lost my wife of less than two years over my «habit». I was fortunate, with the help of marriage counseling, I finally realized maybe I was wrong and needed to step up. I am currently approximately 5 months gamble free. Which is a huge amount of time considering I have played and lost for over 30 years. I don’t have alot of money, but since I haven’t been pissing it away, I am living a «normal» life. My most recent debt load was wiped out by cashing in an IRA (basically my lifes savings)…but I am debt free/ and gamble free as of this writing (other than house and car payments). I hesitate to say it, but life is good. I am very afraid to open pandoras box anymore. I loved the rush, the wins were great…the losses have probably taken years off of my life. Gambling was supposed to be fun. It stopped being fun a long time ago!
I hope you keep in control. If you are a trader for a living, unfortunately you are in a trick bag and need all of the self control you can muster!… Be smart, stay diligent.
Best wishes
Johnny B