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I hear you on the temptation to bet when the money rolls in. I thought about betting today but haven’t done it. Once that urge comes on I do something else around the house or go outside for a walk. I know you said your books don’t self-exclude but maybe call and talk to a representative at the book about it. It makes things extra tough when it’s just an app and a few clicks away. People will say avoid watching sports but I know that ain’t going to happen for me. I’ve been a fan my whole life. And like some said, it really becomes a gigantic waste of time doing research and checking scores all day. If you do other things, you won’t even think about lines and scores. Go out to a bar with friends, take the woman out on a date, go to the movies, or toss the ball around outside. Sports betting – Win or lose – will never lead to living well. Enjoy your day and stay bet free! I’ll pop back on here as I am trying to stop betting myself.
Best thing you can do is fight today. It feels good when you can go a full day without betting. Honestly, it feels better than any type of win. I need to do it as well as I’ve lost a lot the last few days. Let’s not bet today. It is not worth it.
Hey man, I hear ya. I, too, am addicted to sports gambling. We realize we have a problem, which is really a big step. Few understand the emotional toll of sports betting. Never give up! You will feel better if you avoid betting. I know how hard it can be. But I also know true peace of mind comes from enjoying life as it comes rather than gambling it away. I just banned myself from a few sportsbook I use frequently. But really we need to get out of our own heads. I know when the slate of games start up my juices will be pumping. It is very hard. There is a technique known as surge the urge which has helped me. Basically, when the thoughts come in like a wave, you do something else (run, bike, read) and do not give those thoughts any life. We will need to surge these urges tonight so we can earn a day. I am with ya man as I am hurting as well.
Reading, biking, and writing are a few hobbies that I enjoy and help me pass time. I’m looking into some a little more competitive with strategy I guess to mimic the rush you speak about. My whole thing is my iPhone is a gateway to info; researching sports kind of takes me away from the nonsense in the news. I guess that’s the part I enjoy is looking into the games; however, it is giant waste of time and money in the long run. Just like you, I’m trying to find a hobby or task where I can concentrate those efforts.
I have a very similar problem when it comes to sports betting. My sports betting has increased drastically since the legalization of it. There is casino 15 minutes from my home and I am constantly fighting urges to go and bet on a game. Fight the good fight brother. Do not gamble.
Today, I slipped up and went to the casino and placed a bet. I didn’t even watch the game as I truly felt sick about it. Of course it lost. It’s not even fun anymore but yet I still get lured in hook, line, and sinker. I felt pretty depressed afterward as well. A little exercise helped kick the depression. I also got attacked by bird today which was really odd. I need to stay on track. I had a few days in a row without betting. Not even sure what changed today. Boredom, impulse, a new idea. I am going to need to post on here each day. Also, I am going to actually be creating blueprint game plans to help me avoid impulses and triggers. I’ll prolly start my own thread. I really want to kick this but it keeps coming back. Live well.
I am willing to accept that I need to give up gambling; however, I have said this before and have gone back to my old ways of betting on sports.
Dave, I am currently trying to find new routines as well. It’s weird how the old bad habits creep up. New routines will help us shutdown these thoughts. I am trying to get my first day today. Reading, exercising, and writing are some I have to start but I will need others. Stay strong man!
Thank you for responding as I’ve already encountered urges to look up odds and matchups. It is very hard to avoid as I usually did this as soon as I woke up each morning. Instead, I chose to pickup a book and read. it helped me shutdown the thoughts. I continue to remind myself that betting is a losing habit And not something worth my time. Thank you for the support as this has not been an easy topic for me to discuss with family members.
Part of my routine was reading about and researching sporting events throughout the wee hours of the night to find a “edge.” This habit usually led me to plan my day around how and when I was going to place my next bet. It is the start of the self destructive gambling process. Instead tonight I will write and read other material that are not about odds and matches. Sports gambling has consumed me. I need to break these bad habits and routines before things spiral out of control. Instead of finding sporting events and ways to gamble on them. I will do the opposite. I find ways to stay away from these things. I will read about other hobbies and events. Then I will map out my day to avoid gambling. I will create a concrete to help me avoid triggers, temptations, and urges. I hope this game plan can help me win my first day gamble free.