Gambling Relapse, how to get off it for good??

[Potluck2.0]

we all know how punting and gambling go together. Either gambling after a punt to ride the high for a bit or punting after gambling to get rid of the low. smoking generally goes with the 2 as well, smoking after punt or while gambling.

I've been trying for years to fully kick the habit, but every now and then I keep relapsing like a smoker who can't give up. I actually managed to give up smoking completely and will be going clean for 3 years soon. But gambling, can never go clean for more than a few weeks. Best is 2 months tops. Do other bros have some special tips here?

punting is a once per month treat i intend to keep doing life long :cool2: i would do it more often but hard to find the quality i'm looking for now. Problem is long term punters need better and better experience to feel the same high otherwise it is boring

[cisco]

Maybe Stay at home more so u can save your money .. :)

[wilisno]

In Chinese, there are 5 deadly addictions, none of them are easy to quit ! Namely :

嫖，赌，飲，食，吹

Punting, gambling, drinking, eating, smoking.

Only eating is in question, don't know what eating addiction is ! ;) ;) ;)

[harmony]

Traditional chinese culture had an easier life

In the modern era, there are probably 100 deadly addictions

Lets start with punting, gambling, drinking, eating (can be fatal, due to heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes etc), smoking
Lets then talk about anorexia - the addiction to body image - and starving yourself literally to death

Then we can discuss heroin, cocaine, ICE
We can also discuss marijuana (which has caused psychosis and men jumping off buildings. In the USA in 2014, a man cut off his own penis after overindulging with marijuana)

Lets then move onto addiction for speeding on the road
Paul Walker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Walker), who has starred as Brian O'Conner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_O'Conner) since 2001, will mark his final film appearance in Furious 7 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furious_7) due to his death on November 30, 2013 in a single car crash. [Wikipedia]

Then we can talk about BASE jumping, and how addictive people find it, until they die from one BASE jump too many

Lets move on to internet addiction (some young teenagers have died from not eating/drinking during marathon internet gaming sessions)

I'd better stop now. Life indeed is far more dangerous in the modern era

[harmony]

But gambling has to be one of the most depressing of addictions

I offer you my humblest best wishes to overcome this habit

The gambling industry is based on creating often massive financial losses and financial hardship in its addicts

When an addict counts up how much they have spent on gambling, and how much money they have made, its usually/always a large loss

And what do you get for the financial losses ?? Nothing but a sore backside and long nights at a casino or pokies palace, and usually alone or with fellow losing gamblers

My tip is to focus on your finances, and refuse to support the Gambling Industry any more.

If any of the venues that you visit allow it, I would be formally applying to be restricted from their premises, due to both a lifelong gambling addiction, as well as financial hardship
Just how serious are you ?
I would be writing to the manager of these gambling establishments, and asking for all the measures that currently exist to protect those with gambling addictions

If I was desperate, I would do something silly, noncriminal, but enough to be permanently kicked out from these premises,
eg pretending to be very drunk, shouting and screaming, and dropping drinks over tables etc, until the security guards there recognise you at the door, and dont want you there anymore

Desperate measures, but I would make sure I was banned, some way or another, if I was really serious

Starting off with the Star Casino

Just my 2 cents

[wilisno]

Traditional chinese culture had an easier life

In the modern era, there are probably 100 deadly addictions

Lets start with punting, gambling, drinking, eating (can be fatal, due to heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes etc), smoking
Lets then talk about anorexia - the addiction to body image - and starving yourself literally to death

Then we can discuss heroin, cocaine, ICE
We can also discuss marijuana (which has caused psychosis and men jumping off buildings. In the USA in 2014, a man cut off his own penis after overindulging with marijuana)

Lets then move onto addiction for speeding on the road
Paul Walker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Walker), who has starred as Brian O'Conner (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_O'Conner) since 2001, will mark his final film appearance in Furious 7 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furious_7) due to his death on November 30, 2013 in a single car crash. [Wikipedia]

Then we can talk about BASE jumping, and how addictive people find it, until they die from one BASE jump too many

Lets move on to internet addiction (some young teenagers have died from not eating/drinking during marathon internet gaming sessions)

I'd better stop now. Life indeed is far more dangerous in the modern era
I thought you would have some new ideas as to addictions ?

All you listed are included in the 5 addictions mentioned !!!

Anorexia is the problem with eating.

All those drugs are the problems with smoking.

Speeding is not a deadly addiction that one can't physically quit !

Or you might say if ine walked on the street, a signage fell down on his head and killed him, a walking addiction ? ;) ;) ;)

[dohdoe]

I think you should go and read up on gambling and the true odds of winning and understand how much it is stacked against you. Even popular games that you used to have a chance in like black jack they minimise your chances by constantly shuffling the cards. Not to mention that by others being unable to play and they are only there for 'fun' they screw you over.

Once you realise how terrible the odds are, you won't really find much joy in it as you're just giving away your cash. After all why do you play? I hope it is to win and at a casino. The house always wins.

[Miyamoto]

I'm sorry, all I can offer is my best wishes. I've never had a gambling problem, maybe because I've never had a big win to draw me in

[Kaylie]

I share your pain brother - it's an evil addiction.
When you win big, you want a bigger win and lose a lot more chasing that thrill.

[harmony]

Its interesting, my mate was a big poker machine fan, and I did see him make small wins (maybe $40) lol, which to him probably gave him a buzz
I didnt see the times when he lost money, and Im sure in total he has lost a lot of money

I just dont have any interest on spending money on poker or poker machines or card games

But I do think that gambling has to be one of the most destructive habits to develop, and that I was just born lucky that my brain doesnt get off with flashing lights or casino tables

Another thing bro, if you partly go to the venues eg casinos because there is a social element to it, (for example you have some gambling mates you like to catch up with), you need to cut these friendships. Like alcoholics, sometimes you need to recognise what the triggers are, and one of them is being around your drinking or gambling mates

[Penitent Penetrator]

Maybe Stay at home more so u can save your money .. :)

I agree, it's not rocket surgery, you don't have to be a brain scientist. Just exercise some self-discipline,
and self-control. Don't succumb to your first impulse or instinct. In other words "get a grip" in all senses of
the expression, use the old "five finger shuffle" when you get the naughty urge and generally be more disciplined.
It's easy once you get the knack of it.

Remember, "a fool and his money are soon parted."

[Raybo]

Seek professional help, try attending gamblers anonymous meeting. Find a substitute.

[wilisno]

I heard rub and tug is a good solution for problem gamblers :cool2:
Hehe ! No wonder so many RnT places had sprung up ! ;) ;) ;)

[CunningLinguist]

Potluck2.0 I have read some of your posts and here is my recipe for you to kick the habit:
- Ditch your user name and get one that is not related to gambling - I'm serious.
- Understand that casinos, and other forms of gambling (Pokies etc) have the odds tilted in their favour. This is why they make so much money, it is not a fair game.
- Understand there is a myth that smart people can beat the system, they can't, and if they could they would be banned anyway.
- Abruptly change your lifestyle and friends so that you don't go near gambling institutions anymore, or hang out with people that talk about gambling.
- If you have any gambling accounts or apps close and delete them.
- Get a new hobby that takes your time and energy, it could be as simple as running, cycling, swimming, tennis, web site design, language, volunteer work, gardening, etc.
- Don't allow yourself to think about gambling anymore, occupy yourself with your hobby etc.
- Count the days since you have given up and use this as motivation to continue.
- If you are feeling weak do something like going for a dinner, movie, massage (legit or happy) or a punt etc.

The idea is that your brain has been trained to think about gambling and now you need to train it to not think about it. We are creatures of habit and our brains are "plastic" ie. they can be retrained. So your higher order brain just needs to get the rest of it to behave. If you follow my plan you will be able to retrain your brain and kick the habit, it's not actually that hard, you just need to learn the technique I have outlined above, I'm sure you can do it. One last thing is once you have kicked the habit never ever try to gamble again, as you risk getting addicted again the same way you got addicted first time around. I'm not going to wish you luck as luck doesn't play a part, you have taken the first step and admitted you have a problem so now you know what to do to solve it. Be strong!

[Good_guy_Greg]

Potluck2.0 I have read some of your posts and here is my recipe for you to kick the habit:
- Ditch your user name and get one that is not related to gambling - I'm serious.
- Understand that casinos, and other forms of gambling (Pokies etc) have the odds tilted in their favour. This is why they make so much money, it is not a fair game.
- Understand there is a myth that smart people can beat the system, they can't, and if they could they would be banned anyway.
- Abruptly change your lifestyle and friends so that you don't go near gambling institutions anymore, or hang out with people that talk about gambling.
- If you have any gambling accounts or apps close and delete them.
- Get a new hobby that takes your time and energy, it could be as simple as running, cycling, swimming, tennis, web site design, language, volunteer work, gardening, etc.
- Don't allow yourself to think about gambling anymore, occupy yourself with you hobby etc.
- Count the days since you have given up and use this as motivation to continue.
- If you are feeling weak do something like going for a dinner, movie, massage (legit or happy) or a punt etc.

The idea is that your brain has been trained to think about gambling and now you need to train it to not think about it. We are creatures of habit and our brains are "plastic" ie. they can be retrained. So your higher order brain just needs to get the rest of it to behave. If you follow my plan you will be able to retrain your brain and kick the habit, it's not actually that hard, you just need to learn the technique I have outlined above, I'm sure you can do it. One last thing is once you have kicked the habit never ever try to gamble again, as you risk getting addicted again the same way you got addicted first time around. I'm not going to wish you luck as luck doesn't play a part, you have taken the first step and admitted you have a problem so now you know what to do to solve it. Be strong!

These are all very good points, I hope you have taken them on board. I would add that Wesley Mission does good free gambling counselling sessions which are one on one. The counsellor I had was very good, always listened and understood, and I felt actually cared about me.

I have been gambling for about 7 years now, and it actually shocks me to even say that, because in the back of my mind I still tell myself it's just a "small" thing I can kick at any time. Maybe for the first 4 years or so, lost a lot of money, then quit for a year because I had an injury that physically prevented me from going to the casino. Then I fell back into it, but by now I was making a bit more money and so my bets were bigger. Lost another huge sum, tried to quit, then returned with a "money making" strategy where I would leave as soon as I was up, whatever amount it was. This worked for a month but ended up losing it all back and more over the next two months.

What I'm trying to say is, you will never beat the casino. The first danger is the house edge, and the second, more important danger, is your self control. If you are an addict, you have to admit you don't have self control when it comes to the addiction. So best to stay away from it, instead of reasoning "I can do just a little bit..."

Also, try to understand WHY you gamble. Most addicts have an underlying problem within themselves that makes them seek gambling as a way to avoid dealing with the problem. For me, I think I had family issues and girl issues, and gambling was a way to escape those. It was a way to soothe my insecurities. But in the end, it only made them worse, because it made my financial situation worse.

And trust me, the day you stop gambling is the day your life gets better. Please come back and chat to us, as we are all here to help.

[doctorspock]

Get a job in the Casino. You can play all day and don't loose a cent .

[harmony]

Welcome back Good_guy_Greg
Do you mind telling us how much you have spend/lost on gambling ?

Even ball park figures will illustrate the issues with gambling

[Good_guy_Greg]

Welcome back Good_guy_Greg
Do you mind telling us how much you have spend/lost on gambling ?

Even ball park figures will illustrate the issues with gambling

Thanks harmony. I didn't think anyone would realise I was gone.

It would be really hard to give any type of rough figure, but if you put a gun to my head, I'd say over those 7 years...maybe $50,000 - $80,000.

[harmony]

Thanks for your experiences. That figure really rams home just how devastating gambling can be

We all have our vices

Funny how much easier it is to fall into destructive habits, rather than constructive ones

Peace

[dohdoe]

Thanks harmony. I didn't think anyone would realise I was gone.


Of course we missed you. Not many people here consistently post so many words at a time when they post :)