Side Addiction habit! >>gambling!

You have addictive traits and and a compulsive nature like I do, I can relate to the gambling thing, i never had a problem with it myself but when i've tried it it did scare me as to how intoxicating the experience was. At one point a long time ago I was conviced i had some kind of formula to beat online roulette, turns out it was the martingale system which has proven to be no more effective than luck itself. Only lost £80 and gained back about £60 then i stopped because I thought it was just a waste of time. I'd say you might want to think about getting support for gambling if it's something you feel is a compulsive habbit

 

Maybe you could try to avoid "people, places and things" that remind you of your addiction. That might include football for a while.

 

I think it's good to have a hobby that you can indulge in. Football being a good one, watching games, following a team and being part of a big following and community of supporters. the gambling thing on the other hand isn't something you should indulge in since it's not really a hobby. Having a hobby has been instrumental in my recovery because it focuses my attention to something that is good and productive. Have you thought about collecting sports memorabilia?

 

I suggest you find a local GA group. Might be helpful.

 

Football or soccer?

Remember this:

Rule number 1 of gambling: The house always wins. That includes poker, they make you pay a rake fee to enter.

Other things to realise: You cannot "beat" the system. The only games you can theoretical out-think and out-skill an opponent is poker. However, that game even involves an enormous amount of luck and only a small handful of people in the world make a living off it..and even they experience ups and downs that mess with their head for long periods. Poker is the work of the devil too.

As for betting on sports. Why is sports followed closely and loved? It's unpredictable. There are no patterns at all and the English Premier League is traditionally the biggest lottery of them all in terms of predicting results. I'm assuming you meant Football, not soccer, but I'm giving you an example.

When you win you an experiencing an unhealthy high. When you succeed at something basic, even like tidying your room, it's a healthy and satisfactory high. I feel like winning in gambling is an unhealthy high and actually raises stress levels rather than reducing it..as the gambler knows he shouldn't be gambling.

Things you need to admit to yourself:

You cannot be an expert at gambling. It's too luck based.
The house always wins
Gambling has defeated you and you have become addicted. But there is no shame.

You need to treat this like NoFap. Aim for 90 days. Exclude yourself from all gambling sites possible. Even if you sign up and place a bet (can't resist) then make sure you exclude yourself as soon as you lose the bet.

Other ideas: seeking counselling , help etc. But only seek this if you're sure you can't get over it yourself.

I used to gamble a lot and haven't in years. So have personal experience. The ups on gambling aren't worth it and involve unhealthy stress highs in my view. And you're just stressed out waiting to lose. I was anyway. Thankfully I quit 5+ years ago and haven't placed a bet since.

Good luck.

 

I'm not a gambler but that reminds of PMO.. Those highs certainly aren't worth it.

 

I think gambling is a very serious issue. I don't believe in healthy gambling.

Even if you win, the winnings are from other people's suffering alot of losses.

 

My fraternity brother was addicted to online betting for sports in general. I believe he helped start a small local website. Owed upwards of $2000, I think he was pretty bad. Of that, owed one guy $500. The dude kept coming over looking for him. It's funny bc let's just say that guy won't be getting paid anytime soon, or ever for that matter.

 

yep that shit used to happen to me, best way to avoid it? don't gamble