Why does everyone assume you have to hit rock bottom ...

It's relative. I hope for any addicts or problem gamblers they have a bottom that is not "so low".

I like the old program saying -- "how do you know when you've hit rock bottom? when you stop digging"

During my addiction I put the shovel down many times, sometimes for a week, sometimes for a few months, but I wasn't willing to face the facts. The pain seemed to dissipate and my sick brain thought "well, this time....." all for naught.

I blew thru all my "accessible" cash. Built debt after that. Then sold a house getting access to another large amount of "fuel". Swearing I would not continue, but I found myself back.

Like most addictions I was pushing thresholds. No longer was I getting any chemical hits from these attempts to limit my damage by using smaller amounts. I kept needing to go higher and higher with my gambling wagers. Chemical drive.

Today I have turned my shovel in. As said before the gig was up for me. I fully understood that there was NEVER enough. I get why GA doesn't discuss amounts lost/ bet etc, because losing 10M could be the same as someone who has 10K to their name and destroys everything -- aside from the money - loses themselves, their loved ones, everything.

Sure, I wish I had been able to see clearly sooner, but I couldn't. This is POWERFUL and insidious.
I think from the q -- the three main q's that tell if you have a problem
are
if you won, did you want to go back asap to win more
if you lost, did you want to go back and win your losses
did you often gamble til your last $ was gone
that is a basic test of true compulsion. it has you.

But serenity is when I STOP wishing for a better past. I am here. I am where I am suppose to be. I am working in recovery, not just abstinence.

Praying for higher rock bottoms for all those in pain and suffering.

As mentioned before, rock bottom is relative to everyone. I have seen people go through 3 bankruptcies that didn't consider themselves at rock bottom. I have seem another who went to jail for 1.5 years who also didn't think they were at rock bottom. And I've seen someone who lost $2000 and thought it was the end of the world (and considering her profession, she could make up that money in 3 days). Rock bottom is simply the point where we have said we have had enough of this and don't want to gamble again. After rock bottom, we usually are on the path of abstinence and if one thinks they can go back to responsible gambling, they are being dishonest with themselves. They simple can't.
In terms of support of individuals who have not hit the bottom, there is limited support. Where I get treatment, there are two goals that people can desire. 1. To manage their gambling or to 2. Abstain forever. Managing only occurs in the VERY early stages where you feel that you spent a little too much and know you aren't an addict. Once you know you are a compulsive gambler, managing your gambling is out of the question. I think there are very few resources because early on, many people feel that they can do it themselves. They think that If they can set a limit and just stick by it, they will be fine. Once they continue to fail at that and begin the endless chase, they start to become compulsive gamblers. At my therapy, I have only seen 1 (out of like 20ish) who desired responsible gambling. In GA, its only about abstaining and recovery. No such thing as responsible gambling there...