I haven’t purchased a sports card since Saturday, February 22nd. That night is etched in my memory more than I’d like it to be. Over time, I started buying into high-end repack breaks—spots going for $2K to $4K a team. I’d regularly grab 4 to 10 teams in one go. Most of the time, I’d hit at least one decent card, which only fed the urge to keep going. The rush. The chase. The illusion
For years, collecting brought me joy. It gave me community, nostalgia and excitement. I loved the chase, the hits, the hobby. I still do. But somewhere along the way, that excitement turned into obsession. What started as fun became compulsive. I was chasing more than just cards—I was chasing dopamine, distraction, validation. And I didn’t realize how far it had gone until it was too late. I found myself in financial ruin. Owing money to
