Persistent Debt - Can’t get out of my own way.

Hi All, thought I’d share to see if anyone can offer help or tips. I’m not in a huge hole of debt like some of the stories on here, but since the age of about 21 my bank balance hasn’t been in a positive for more than a couple days max due to my gambling.

I’m about 7000 GBP in debt right now, almost entirely due to gambling. I don’t make tons of money, and I don’t bet huge amounts, but I’m stuck in a cycle now because of my gambling. I have high interest payday loans keeping me afloat because of my gambling, but the issue I always have is that when payday comes and I should have breathing room again I’m paying 75% of my paycheck to clear loans and bills.

Then without fail it seems I’m gambling the other 25% to try to lessen the debt, never knowing when to quit. I’m 28 now, and I haven’t had any savings or positive balance for about 7 years.

I was wondering if anyone has been in a similar cycle and what they did to pull themselves out of it. Obviously the gambling needs to stop, but I don’t know what to do with myself when I’m just on my own. I know it needs to end now, this life isn’t sustainable. But I just need someone to help show me the way.