Gambling Addiction & Recovery Support Group
Compulsive gambling is an urge or addiction to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. A preferred term among many professionals is problem gambling, as few people described by the term experience true compulsions in the clinical sense of the word. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others rather...
Earlier in the week I opened up a bit to a friend why I stopped gambling.
I'm 5 plus weeks clean and it feels great. So many positives I'm noticing.
However the next day and a few times every day since I have had this thought of not gambling till the super bowl. Last super bowl I lost my biggest wager. So I have thoughts of even betting bigger hoping to win of course and then give it up for good because that would be my biggest win ever. I know I will never be satisfied with whatever I win but I guess it's kind of like revenge and not chasing that loss bc I gambled lots after that game. I know if I lost it would not be good but it's $ I have. The last 3 plus years have been the most I've bet in wager size and the amounts of bets I would be placing daily/yearly. I would say 6-7 years ago give or take I would only allow myself to bet on super bowl. I did this for a few years. Do the boxes with the family/work and put a wager on the game. For the new people reading this sports betting has been my problem. I'm hoping this goes away and can just enjoy the super bowl for what it is like I'm enjoying the sports games I've been watching with no $ on the line. I guess a part of me is competitive and would like to walk away with a victory and hang them up for good bc I will never be happy. By the time super bowl is here I would be just over 4 months gamble free. Just wanted to get this off my chest. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
I'm 5 plus weeks clean and it feels great. So many positives I'm noticing.
However the next day and a few times every day since I have had this thought of not gambling till the super bowl. Last super bowl I lost my biggest wager. So I have thoughts of even betting bigger hoping to win of course and then give it up for good because that would be my biggest win ever. I know I will never be satisfied with whatever I win but I guess it's kind of like revenge and not chasing that loss bc I gambled lots after that game. I know if I lost it would not be good but it's $ I have. The last 3 plus years have been the most I've bet in wager size and the amounts of bets I would be placing daily/yearly. I would say 6-7 years ago give or take I would only allow myself to bet on super bowl. I did this for a few years. Do the boxes with the family/work and put a wager on the game. For the new people reading this sports betting has been my problem. I'm hoping this goes away and can just enjoy the super bowl for what it is like I'm enjoying the sports games I've been watching with no $ on the line. I guess a part of me is competitive and would like to walk away with a victory and hang them up for good bc I will never be happy. By the time super bowl is here I would be just over 4 months gamble free. Just wanted to get this off my chest. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend.
I get it, yes, competitiveness in our nature is a part of the problem too.
I remember when I had that experience, all though I am not into sports betting, I did it and been there. It was many many years ago, in my one of many previous attempt to quit, I went with a determination to make it out for the last time. I went with a death in mind, if I don't win it big enough to get me satisfied, I would end my life.... I can't quit as a looser! I need quit after a big winning!, and I was like a perfect character in a perfect movie with a perfect happy ending.
Initially I took 2000 with me and at the end of second day of playing I was down 5800. At the beginning of third day, I had 200 to my name. You can imagine what kind of agony that was.... And then there it was, finally on third day, cards were flowing like I can do no wrong! With that 200 I was able to cash in almost 100 grand on the forth day. By this time I had a couple of meals in four days and been up four consecutive days. I almost passed out in the elevator going up to the room an I still don't remember how I got to the room that night.
After I came home, yes, I paid off most of my bills and credit card and made another promise to myself my gambling was over. I thank the God and thought it was a true blessing from him.
Well, that was about 15 years ago and I gambled another 10 years after that..... And I gambled bigger then ever....
There are no "enough" in this, it does not matter how much you win, it does not let you go. You have to let it go and that's the only way....
Unless you have unlimited financial resources and content with your state of mind, "just enjoy the game!" The term oil you have to go through the day after and going forward is not worth any amount of money. Keep your peace of mind and keep it simple!
Thanks for sharing! You are awesome and you are a true winner!
Love,
Victoria
Skip hope you are doing well over there. Thanks for your response. You are definitely right about who cares if win or lose last bet.
I've been a winner everyday the last 5 weeks plus by being gamble free and accomplishing so many positive things.
Great job on your road to recovery. The Super Bowl Part is going to be fun for you. No bets, just fun.
I have a question. I don't know anything about betting on sports, but my kids do it for fun. I heard one of them ask my husband if he ever bets on games. He told him it ruins the game for him now.
Should I be concerned about this?
As for your question you might want to ask him about the response he said to your kids. Maybe he used to bet on games and now can't enjoy them as much anymore without having $ on the line?
Your kids do it for fun by how? Just picking the winner of the games or do they follow the spread of the games?
I remember in high school my dad was in a pool with having the pick the spread of every game for the entire season. I helped him with picks each week and at the end of the season we finished near the top and he won some $ and gave me a little. Maybe that's how I got going at this?
I've lost alot of interest in college football now that i no longer bet on the games
I wrote that out wrong. My son said the betting ruins the game. It is not fun to watch anymore.