Leaving gambling Alone is not something that people can achieve easily because when an individual has graduated to an addict it becomes a problem to the individual which cannot be gotten over by running away from gambling because eventually the person will come back to gambling because it's not easy leaving gambling just like that, the solutions remains therapy and self discipline which will has to be strictly followed
I have also seen people who sold their entire house for gambling and became destitute. I also meet a younger brother who was so addicted to gambling that his wife left him. Gambling is such an addictive game that once you get into it, it is challenging to get out of it. My younger brother lost his wife and later left the country for gambling and went to work in another country. He has destroyed everything due to gambling, and there is no way he can return to everyday life. If gambling gets mixed with someone's blood, they will never be able to return from here.
You're totally correct when saying that gambling addiction ruins people's lives but it's not a death penalty. If you find a way to analyse and challenge illogical thinking about 'chasing losses' and you learn about recurring challenge prevention like critical thinking and makes you have a backup or a good financial plan and triggers management, the you will get better and start recovering from the gambling addiction over time . Recurrence might happen but improvement is real. I have watched a lot of people restore economical stability and psychological health. Thinking that someone "can never come Back" is rejecting facts and creating problems by demotivating people that want help.