Hi I am trying to battle this gambling bug
was told to find oot what the root cause is tackle that and your there ? Problem is I have no idea why I am gamble ?
Another doctor told me it's just a learnt behaviour and you can change that behaviour when ever you want to ?
So what's your thoughts on why we gamble is this a addiction like drugs or alcohol or is it just something we learned ?
And can we just turn it off as easy as the doctor said we can ?
Would really appreciate your views on this as I would love to be able to understand why I do it
Hi urbansky
Either change your doctor, or don't ask his advice re your gambling problem. ( My opinion only )
Gambling is an addiction. Studies have proven that a gamblers brain reacts to the highs and lows of gambling. We get a buzz from the gambling, it matters not whether we win or lose...the buzz is still there.
I believe that our CG brains are wired a little differently to 'normal' people. I would be very happy to resume my gambling...providing I could just gamble $20 every saturday. BUT the truth is I can't! Once I start gambling, I tend to gamble until my pockets are empty and I have exhausted my daily withdrawal limit from my bank. Why is it that over 90% of the population can gamble to a set limit and me as a CG can't?
As for finding the root cause, I never worried about that. For me personally that would be similar to justifying my gambling. Some people do need to try and find out why they gambled however, so it is entirely up to you whether you think you need to explore this avenue.
Your doctor is correct in this aspect however. You can stop gambling...IF you REALLY WANT TO. It won't be easy and it's not a 'one size fits all' approach. Put as many barriers in place as you can. Tell your family of your problem. They can assist you in your recovery. Hand over your finances to a family member for a period of time, I would suggest minimum of 6 months. Cut off your easy access to money. Attend GA and / or counselling. Get the support that you will need to help you in your recovery.
Inform yourself by reading some of the threads on this forum. If gambling was so easy to give up as your doctor suggested, then this forum and thousands of others would have no need to exist.
Best wishes
Drugs & alcohol are also learnt behaviours. An addict is an addict. Same soup different bowls. A drug addict doesnt take drugs to get high , he takes them to stop feeling low about how he feels about himself & his life.
Your doctors an idiot. Although yes it is a learnt behaviour, that also means you cant unlearn it. The learning of new behaviours to cope with your feelings of anxiety,boredom, loneliness etc are often more painful than dealing with the fallout from using an addiction, which is why its difficult to stop using.
Try attending GA. There in its 12 step program is every question & answer you will ever need if discovery is required by you.
Hi Urbansky
You may want to consider calling our helpline and talking things through with a GamCare adviser on 0808 8020 133 or on our netline. The advisers can provide emotional support and helpful information as well as faciltate a referral to free one to one counselling appointments if you would like to access that service.
Counselling can provide a safe and confidential space for you to discuss the impacts of your gambling and to explore why it is you are doing it.
Best wishes
Alex
I think both answers above are partially correct. CG's are definitely wired a bit differently as are other addicts and have some kind of chemical imbalance. At the same time of course we have associations with gambling that we develop over time often to mask our inadequacies and to create highs that we don't get in normal life. I think we can unlearn some of these associations (had a bad day doesn't have to equal therefore I will gamble) but it is hard to remain vigilant against all the triggers or associations that we have with gambling. And we all know the gambling high, the chemical buzz/rush win or lose which is probably impossible to unlearn. We have to admit we can't forget or unlearn these gambling highs but we can adapt strategies or techniques to not surrender to our bodies, to our urges as we call them. I am constantly reminding myself of the post gambling binge misery and self loathing feeling when I am tempted and for now that is working. Anyway probably talking rubbish ! But good to think about these things.
Hi Down and Out
I very rarely see posts on this forum that I would call rubbish. I can certainly relate to a lot of what you have written about.
My bad non-gambling days don't come close to my bad gambling days. 🙂
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