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...
Over the years I think I subconsciously enjoy how it feels when losing $ or a big bet. The chase of trying to win it back. If you bet sports with a bookie the week normally begins on Monday and ends Sunday. So if have a bad Monday I know I'm already chasing. If down and later in the week I know I have less time to get even or make $ and definitely don't want to owe. I have even bet games where I thought I'd probably lose but just wanted to get the rush when the game is on. The feeling of having the rush and then the feeling of losing maybe a couple of grand after wasn't so bad to me since experiencing the ups and downs over the last bunch of years. I enjoy winning more for sure but maybe I'm really messed up but losing a sports wager or a big hand at the casino and handing over lots of chips isn't that bad to me. When I first started gambling I hated to lose and the feeling. I'm not rich by any means just crazy how I can toss a large amount on a game or single hand in the casino.
But getting away from the dopamine and changing my life has brought me some peace and time to do things that matter. In gambling, all my time was sucked into thinking about, or getting money for, or covering losses from or gambling. There was no time for art, hiking, friends, or even myself.
I successfully hid from the world until it came crashing in on me.
Skip88 don't do it. Look how far you have come. Spend your time doing something positive. Think about how you will feel if you lose.
One thing I think a lot of gamblers have in common is that they are intelligent. I have talked with a lot of gamblers and read a lot of their stories in the past few months, and it seems like nearly all of them are at above-average intelligence levels.
I think the mix of intelligence and risk-taking leads to people thinking that they can beat the system. That maybe everyone else loses, but they can emerge the victor. That maybe the rules don't apply to them.
But they do.
The odds are the odds, and they don't judge. Maybe you've had glorious wins in the past. Maybe you've had amazing streaks of what seems to be luck. Maybe you've beaten the odds for weeks, months, or years at a time.
But you won't beat the odds long-term. A part of you is betting big on a single sports game because you crave the rush. But another part of you is betting big on the single sports game because you are smart, you know you are smart, and you believe you can game the system and come out ahead and rich.
I'm here to tell you that you won't.
You're smart and risk-taking. Start a business. Consult for companies part-time with your skills and expertise. Get a part-time job doing something you've always wanted to do. Take classes. Find a game of skill, not a game of chance, to invest and not waste your time. If you really want to get ahead and have big wins in life, invest five years of daily time learning a skill or building a side business for an hour or two a day. Trust me, it's much better.
Having success over the last few years has made it difficult to stop. I would take breaks time to time depending on what was available to bet. Or if went on a bad streak would take time off and get back at it.
The success with sports has been luck and my knowledge in certain sports that helps me make picks. You are right that it can't continue. Recently I won 7 in a row after a 4 week break and then lost 5 in a row before stopping again 5 plus days ago. Someone can do all the research they want but the game must be played.
Casinos I have had luck in blackjack cards came my way but my last casino trip they didn't. I only visit once or twice a year.
I used to think gambling is only a problem if you bet what you can't afford to lose. It has taken a few years of success gambling to realize that it's not the case. Yes I won some extra $ but so what. The negative effects of gambling that come with gambling for me is not worth it. I have a well paying job that I enjoy and no $ problems. Live comfortably.
At work today I was having thoughts of betting big on a college or nfl football game this weekend just out of the blue. I'm not going to but I hope these thoughts become less and less. I know if I won the bet I would want to bet the winnings if lost I would immediately look for a game to chase the losses. No matter how much I win I won't be happy and will want more and more. Will always want to top my largest win as well. I need to be thankful that I have been lucky to never put myself in a bad financial situation with gambling and never want to take that chance. Best to stay away.
Have a great gamble free weekend everyone.