Gambling Addiction

Prior information :
- I do not smoke, drink or club/fool around with girls (Never had a gf but I do have a wild-eye)
- Never went for any therapy or help before


Clean & clear, I need help with my gambling addiction. I've been an addict for nearly 5 years now, and suffice to say I'm not good at it nor am I bad at it. Over the course of that period I've lost very large sums of money. You name it, I've probably done it. Just-Dice, Poker, BlackJack, DragonDyce, RuneScape Flower Games, Slot machines & practically any games, I've been there & lost. I can have initial success. Then greed kicks in, and I keep playing. Eventually the house comes back & I begin to lose. I have this stupid mentality to think that I can regain my losses.


I've turned 2.4 BTC into 103.7 before, then lost it all. I've turned $1k into $7k via online casino's, then lost it all. I've turned 100m RS3 into 2b, then lost it all. And I keep repeating this process. I have hopes that if I've done it once, I can do it again. Losses keep mounting. I can't stop my greed once I'm in the heat of things. I can temporarily pause mid-way through a game, but I wouldn't last 30 minutes. Frankly, I've been called a smart idiotic gambler. Ironic, but very true. I play the numbers game, counting cards & all that, but I always lose in the end. Always.


I've lost about $65k irl and I'm only now 18 years old, and I've confessed to my parents. They said they want me to forget gambling and to take my time to repay them, but I've just recently lost another $15k for a total of $80k, and my gambling addiction doesn't stop yet. I've thought about going for help, therapy or something, anything to help, but that would mean confessing to losing $15k when I've promised to stop. I want to at least earn back that $ before I try anything further, but it seems the only to do that is to gamble. I dont want to lose more, but I can't stomach the thought of this further $15k loss.


I know professional help is out there, but I just need some thoughts & words on how to combat my addiction. I'm a pathetic low-life gambler through & through, and I need to combat this. I've thought about suicide to help stop this urge & itch but I can't bring myself any further than thoughts....

 

First off, suicide is never the answer. As bad as you think your life may be at the moment, it will get better. I know that may be hard to see right now, but it's the truth. These problems are temporary.

Seeking professional help is likely the best option here. I know you're avoiding this because it means admitting to the extra $15K loss, but that is far better than the alternatives you've offered. Never gamble with the goal of making money, youre only going to lose more. I'm sure your parents would much rather have you confess to the extra $15K than try to win it back, ultimately losing more.

As for some smaller things you can do to avoid gambling more, you could start something similar to what TTB has done. http://www.sythe.org/sand-box/1692216-lets-try-out-171-days.html It seems to be working pretty well. You know youve seen me on Dragon Dyce, so I could try to make sure you stay off there at the very least

The most important thing here is to realize that you DO have support. The community, your friends, and your parents will help you as much as possible. You're not alone in this mate, I wish you the best of luck

PM me or add my Skype if you ever feel like talking!

 

I honestly believe the best way to get over a gambling addiction is to thoroughly learn the real, actual math that governs it. Once you know the math, you don't lose. You know you cannot beat the house unless the house is flawed. Learn enough, and you can make it a well respected career. It's called investing, risk analysis, hedging, consulting, actuarial science, insurance, etc. Instead of seeing this as a problem, maybe it just means you have a passion for probability and odds. Maybe you should consider a career in some of the fields i listed or other similar ones.

 

The reason people don't comment on this is because they don't want to offer you support. You were a real piece of shit on Roary's feedback thread when he did the right thing. I think part of your addiction to gambling is that you like to look like a big baller thats why you gamble so much and say how much you lose, and made it public you owe people money, and make such a big deal about your 2 day ban.

Your addiction isn't to gambling its to attention.

 

@Big B

I didnt do this for attention. Learn your facts. I did this because I was advised to do so as a means of making myself feel better. I thank all who've offered words of support

Back to you. Why should I be proud of losing money? Why should I be proud of owing people money? Before you say something, why not rationally think it over in your terms before spitting?



(Just because I did something stupid, doesn't justify yours)

 

First of all, Big B - it's really shitty of you to come in here and effectively stomp on someone who is in the personal support section, regardless of what he/she did or didn't do.

I've been trying to stay out of this thread only because I am not fully knowledgeable on gambling addiction. I honestly feel bad for Patriarch and would like to help him - but would not know where to begin in the process aside from my own mental support.

Gambling is and has always been a game of loss. However, as WhoNeedsAChaser has stated - suicide is never an answer to this sort of problem (at least in my opinion). First off, think of what it would do to your parents if you were to kill yourself. Money is a monetary value, but you are their son (or daughter?). That's something they could never replace - and on top of that you are only 18! You have at least another 60 years or so ahead of you, which could always be fulfilled with a new becoming of something greater (again intelligence plays into this). Each day is a new beginning, a new step forward, and you decide which path to take that day - if you keep your head up you make that path work for you (keep it down and you'll run into trees and walls). Even if you have to pave it yourself, there is always something new to look forward to.

For the gambling... It appears that most of your debt has accrued via online betting. There are two things I might suggest, even if they're small ones. 1. If you have never held a physical job, I might suggest looking for one - even a small one at the local grocery store. This way you have the idea of how much it takes for one to make money in the real world.
2. I would also suggest trying to step away from the computer for extended periods of time. Go do something else (and that doesn't mean go play craps or poker with your friends). If you do not actively play a sport, pick one up! Just go out and have fun.

I wish I could help more than that, but I do not have the knowledge to give you a proper way of handling this.

 

It's good you talked to your parents, but to stop the addiction, don't think about it. It's hard but most ppl get over it

 

I also have this problem lol my addiction ended up making me spend 1000$ on 07gp and losing it all on a couple of days :/

 

Just tell it to your parents, and explain everything. I'm sure they will understand and help you find a professional who will help. Might also ask Time To Buy, he is trying to end his addiction also.

 

Oh man, that's serious. You should stay away from technology and easy access to money for a while :S. Goodluck!

 

I work in a bookmakers in England - A sports betting shop.

I see people with Gambling problems & addictions everyday, please PM me. I'm sure I could help you

 

Hey. I have a massive gambling problem which is pretty much identical to yours. The best thing I did was attend weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings. I'm from England and they pretty much have them every day of the week. I'm sure if you google them in your area, plenty will pop up. I wish you all the best of luck.