Mine lol!
Actually, not by gambling but by being a gambler.
I play live a lot, so the social aspect of my life now revolves around poker. I rarely have a conversation with someone that doesnt involve poker in some way.
Even if we are talking about other subjects, poker people have a different way of talking.
Can't go shopping, especially for something i realistically could not afford, as dropping 5k on a watch means nothing. Not that I can do that but because before poker I would be in awe of that much money and too afraid to spend it, now im immune to the value of it. what's 5k really? 5 buy-ins? a satellite token? that means I know the value of money but dont seem to care. SO i cannot go shopping as I am afraid that I will buy something pointless and have to scrimp and save to pay the bills until i can get a good run.
Drinking is now the norm. I regularly drink like i did at college, til 7am, but am in my 40's so my body should not be able to take it. Just hanging out with poker players who are used to long nights and partying hard means this happen more than it should.
I love my life as it is now, I dont make as much as I did a few years ago, but I still enjoy it. SOmetimes tho I feel it is a little ruined as I could be doing something more fulfilling. but Im living like a college kid. maybe im getting maudlin as I get older ;-)
Do i know people who have become destitute because of gambling? yes and no. yes they are destitute, but i feel that in 99% of these cases gambling is just an excuse, if they weren't gambling then they would be drinking, or in prison, or high. SOme people are just self destructive.
I also know some people who have improved their lives through gambling, have beautiful families, no money worries. live in great houses, have good social lives.
At the end of the day, gambling/poker is just one aspect of someones life. and some people will destroy their live no matter what they do and they are the type to blame something else anyway.