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Hello Trucker,
Its great to see you are doing well today and having a positive attitude definitely helps out. There were a couple of things that I have to share with you, and the first is that BIG win we were speaking of. Well, just to give you a little background on me, I’m a sports betting addict and I have been betting on sports for about 10 years. I can honestly say the ultimate high of my life was a sports bet (wow that sounds terrible) but it is true. I asked you the other day what the chances would be of you hitting it “BIG” and actually walking away; and I did that because there was a time when I placed a 3 team parlay bet for 1.5k and turned it into 10,500 all in one night. I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I was when that last came was completed. Ironically, I was working a second job at the time (to pay for my gambling addiction) and I was following the game on my computer as i paced the store in the final seconds of the game. I hit it BIG (at least big enough to get me out of debt a little bit) but you know what, I can admit that I never saw 1 damn dime of that money. In fact, it was all lost within a week. When that happened, I realized I had a huge problem and I have told myself over and over no matter how much I win, there is a 99 percent chance I will give those winnings back plus more!
You also made mention of being jealous of normal people and you wish you were normal. Well, brother, to be honest, I don’t think anyone is normal and I firmly believe everyone is fighting some type of battle. Ours just happens to be gambling. Thats our battle. A lot of people have issues that they are never willing to confront, like you are with gambling. And quite honestly, I look at my addiction like this; yes I could be so much further ahead in life if I didn’t gamble and things most likely would be much better in general. However, I believe tough times help us develop into people of great character. Is lying, cheating, stealing and all those things in order to gamble a representation of someone with great character? Absolutely not ! But when we get through this, we will be better people in the end. These tough times will make us into better people. So yes we could wish to be normal and have an easier life, but would that help shape us into the people we want to be? Going through an easy life wouldn’t develop any character. You can be normal with paying your bills and all those things, but I can promise you this when its all said and done, we will be better people because of this difficult time. I would much rather have that, than to live an easy life and be just “normal.” We will develop mental strength and toughness that only can be developed through tough times. Sorry for rambling but I know I am a way better person today after being free of gambling for 15 days than I was prior.
Keep posting and always feel free to reach out. Together we can do this! I’ll make my promise to you, no gambling for me today, sir.So you have a system that might work ill give you that but you cannot have success in anything in life without discipline. Which leads me to this question is it a lack of discipline you have with gambling or the fact we are powerless over gambling?
While you might have a system and maybe you can pay off all your debt but all the hours and of time spent researching, watching the games cannot replace time you could have spent with your family and loved ones.
No matter how much money we win we are always losers when it comes to gambling because it takes something from us.
Make the right choice.Thanks for sharing your story Trucker. While I don’t claim to know everything and have all the answers I do know two things. One, with any addiction we must first admit we are powerless over the addiction and two, fight our addiction one day at a time. If we just worry about today and making it through today without gambling, it is possible to become gambling free. Just like you turning away the poker with your last 16 dollars. That’s huge. You controlled the moment and the urge and took a huge step in the right direction. We can accomplish anything in this life if we have the mindset to take it one day at a time. Forget looking at the end game, lets look at the process of getting to the end game.
As far as the finances go, I do know this, no matter how bad of shape you are in, it will never get better until you stop going to the casino. You mention of the BIG win, but whos to say you will walk out after that big win? Just like when you were up 900 and the family would be in better shape, you didn’t walk out. Who’s to say that wouldn’t occur with the big win? I’m a firm believer winning is the worst thing that can happen to a gambler because it gives us false hope. False hope that we are in control of our gambling when in fact we are powerless to gambling. Yes it might take a long time to get back on track financially (the same is true with me) but by continuing to gamble it will only get worse. Take that one day at a time approach to your financial situation. Most of us didn’t get in financial troubles over night so we wont get out over night but each and every day of being gambling free is one day closer to being free. It might take a year, 2 years, 5 years or maybe even 10 years to get back on track but at least it will happen.
I’m so thankful you posted your story this morning because you seem like a great person, just like many of us are, but the addiction turns us into people that we are shameful of. Keep the faith and keep pushing forward one day at a time!
You can do this! We are here to help!As I read you most recent post I couldn’t help but think about my own personal reasons for giving up gambling. While its impossible to gamble without money; the reason for me not wanting to gamble has little to do with money and a lot to do with experiencing other avenues in life. I truly believe when one feels that way, quitting can be accomplished, one day at a time! Those precious moments in life that occur without gambling are ones we will cherish for a life time. While I definitely do miss gambling (as it was a huge part of my life and I’m sure the same is with you) I know it is something I don’t want in my life. Have a great day Laura and I’m here quitting with you!
You still with us John?
Let us know how things are going if so
Hello John,
Like you i have an addiction to sports betting and i find the thrill of betting on a game as great as it can get. Over the years, i have lost a lot of money as well betting on sports and many times i will make bets on games i have no clue about just to get some action. I say this to yoy because i can relate to everything you have said. The best advice i can give you is to find something positive that ypu enjoy to occupy your time instead of watching/betting in sports. I have been bet free for 10 days and i have made an effort to not watch games or scroll on espn to check scores. I realize that life was miserable and stressful so its time to move forward. You have made a good choice by posting because just like me, we cannot beat this addiction alone. We must have support. You can do this John, just take it one day at a time.
Keep strong brother.